Out of body experiences in Bible?

Out of Body experience in Bible

Read 2nd Corenthians chapter 12. Notice the apostle Paul discusses knowing a Man in Christ who "May or not have been out of his body". hmmmm..... The old English translation of the NKJV is rather hard to understand sometimes. Could Paul have been discussing an astral projection. It is quite possible. What do you think

Scott Bradley Masters degree in Theological studies from Florida A and M
Voted for by ghbeefy.
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- Dwn
  November 26, 2006
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  I think he was refering to the Idea that God had the power to eather take him physicaly into heaven, or to take him spiritualy, eather by vision, or dream, or simply revelation. Also interesting is that here we find evedence that there is more than one heaven, the first heavon ,I believe would be the sky, or as it was viewed in that time, the second ,being the spiritual kingdom of heaven ,brought about when Jesus was reserected also being the one in which the elect can fall from, and the third being the eternal heaven, in which the souls (physical bodies, for the spirit was Gods and returns to whence it came) of the elect shall be resurected to in both the first and second reserections refered to in revelation. The third resurection being that of the dead alien sinner into the eternal damnation.
- mudgod
  November 26, 2006
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  After consulting the Jamieson, Fausset, Brown commentaries, John Wesleys Explanatory notes, and Matthew Henry's commentary, along with the Strong's numbers, the following would seem correct: The man that Paul spoke about was himself. Fourteen years ago could quite possibly have been the time that God had blinded him for three days. Being in or out of the body would simply refer to not remembering if he was in a vision or not.
- TeChNoWC
  November 27, 2006
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  Astral projections are evil. Transfigurations are not. Jesus was transfigured on the Mount of Olives (correct me if I am wrong, mudgod). Transfiguration, as I understand is a form of teleportation or communal aide (sending or recieving condolence, recieving distresses from members of the body through prayer) whereas astral projection is a removal of one's spirit from one's body only to become under direct control from an unidentified instigator.
- - mudgod
    November 27, 2006
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    American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source trans·fig·u·ra·tion (trns-fgy-rshn) Pronunciation Key n. A marked change in form or appearance; a metamorphosis. A change that glorifies or exalts. --------------------------------------------------Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English - Cite This Source Main Entry: astral projection Part of Speech: noun Definition: the act of separating the astral body (spirit or consciousness) from the physical body and its journey into the universe Example: Astral Projection is the intentional act of having the spirit leave the body, whereas an out-of-body experience happens involuntarily (such as while dreaming, or in a near-death experience). --------------------------------------------------Jesus changed form (transfigured). He did not teleport anywhere. As it is, by definition, a change, I don't see how it could be considered a sending or receiving of anything. As far as astral projection. Do you believe that we have the ability to remove our spirits from our bodies? I don't think so. We are created with a "human spirit" that is the source of our intellect and reasoning. It is also the only way in which God can communicate with us through His Holy Spirit. (Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ) . I would suspect that the concept of astral projection is a satanic counterfeit of the ability of some of the prophets and apostles being "in the spirit". Remember for every good thing of God, Satan has a counterfeit. Anyway, I do think the concept of astral projection (although I don't think it actually happens), is evil.
  - grant
    December 2, 2006
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    So what meaning would you attach to my out of body experience as described in my reply to david13's comment?
- TeChNoWC
  November 27, 2006
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  astral projection is the counterfeit of trnasfiguration, is my understanding.
- - mudgod
    November 27, 2006
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    I could see where one could be convinced of that.
- frndofyaweh
  November 29, 2006
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  Mudgods def:
  American Heritage Dictionary – Cite This Source trans·fig·u·ra·tion (trns-fgy-rshn) Pronunciation Key n. A marked change in form or appearance; a metamorphosis. A change that glorifies or exalts. Exalt means to bring closer to God. Jesus was in a new form a more pure form and was spiritually felt by Paul. Possibly, a spiritual connection between them that was, clearly unique to Pauls experience, as he also felt God within Jesus.
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Out of Body is Out of Place

Go to Tokyo and notice how you feel there. You are having an out of body (societal body) experience. You are able to be aware of the culture-- culture shock-- that you weren't able to be aware within your own. When Paul noticed that Jesus may have been out of his body he is remarking how Jesus transcended the popular conception of the body which is that you are what your body is. Jesus (and I) know that this is only partly true. Jesus (and I) know that you are above the body. The identity of oneself is not the name given to you at birth or the occupation or culture of which you practice, but rather the consciousness that is you. When you realize that you are not your body, that you are Spirit's awareness, you walk this Earth like you are not even here. I know that experience. You will never know it because religion STOPS you from the high relationship with God.

Voted for by david13.

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Applehead
November 26, 2006
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Interesting David, don't think I agree with the OBE in Tokyo though. Yes culture shock may strike you down but this is different to an OBE. You may feel unsure of your self in a different country and be anxious or slightly diorientated. OBE differs in that you leave your physical being, hide in a wall or float above your body. Some say it's brought on by trauma and probably so but I believe it can also be controlled.
grant
December 2, 2006
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I have had an out of body experience while driving my car (3 yrs ago). I left my body and from what seemed like from two feet away watched myself drive and chatter to my kids. It lasted for a minute or so. The only thing i can gleen from this experience is that it shows as a probability rather than a possibility that I, and therefore everyone else, am not my body/mind/personality. That we are more than this construct. I can safely say that it was not brought on by trauma and I did not have control of it. The only thing "I" controlled was the ending of it. After this "minute" I began to freak and then re-entered my body. To get over this freak-out i concentrated on breathing and focused on the road ahead. As I calmed down I started to leave my body again, but only slightly which was incredibly relaxing. I stayed in this very relaxed, unattached state for the next hour or so.
TeChNoWC
December 2, 2006
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I would say this is a demonic attack, in my opinion anyway. In my dealings with such experiences, and as you have related, they are very traumatic (unless you are high).
grant
December 2, 2006
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You have made a judgement and your judgement is demon inspired. Why am I not surprised? The experience, overall, was very blissfull. I was only on the chemicals that make up our atmosphere.
grant
December 2, 2006
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The human tendency to demonise another's experiences is not uncommon. The colonisers of lands previously inhabited by those with different world views and experiences have, for centuries, demonised the original inhabitants of such lands. Demonising only shows a lack of understanding. One doesn't need to have the same experience in order to understand it. This is the beauty of different experiences.
TeChNoWC
December 2, 2006
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Well, you go where your experiences take you, I cant really offer you any sound advice then, can I.
grant
December 3, 2006
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I didn't think this was an agony aunt site.