Contemporary and Historical Examples:
Near Death Experiences - e.g. Colton Burpo - film: “Heaven is for real” and book of
the same title.
Biblical examples of religious experience: Moses by the burning bush (Exodus 3),
Isaiah called by God in the temple, Noah called by God to build and Ark, Samuel
called by God to be a prophet, Paul’s conversion on the Damascus road (Acts 8), the
annunciation of the birth of Christ to Mary, the Transfiguration of Christ experienced
by Peter, James and John (the Gospels).
Charismatic experiences in the Christian Church today - including speaking in
tongues, words of prophecy, acts of healing, etc.
Religious experience in Islam - found expressed primarily in the Sufi tradition with
the Whirling Dervishes - they engage in spinning in order to tap into the power of the
revolting universe, thereby engaging with God
Sceptics might refer to such claims as psychosomatic - “all in the mind”/wish-
fulfilment. Freud would argue that such religious claims are a clear symptom of
psychological neurosis due to childhood sexual trauma
Jung - a contemporary psychologist to Freud however argued that failure to have
religious faith and the resulting experience would lead to psychological illness - so
faith was positive to make the individual whole. Persinger’s Helmet and prayer
studies on intercessory prayer.
The Importance of Religious Conversion:
Religious conversion was a controversial topic in the early church era. Individuals
were born into a nation and religion and to attempt to change either was regarded
with deep suspicion. The idea of conversion to Christianity was often regarded as
revolutionary and subversive.
Religious conversion is still regarded with suspicion in many areas of the modern
world. Yet a foundational keyword in Jesus’ message was ‘repent’, meaning to change
direction. Christianity can be portrayed as a subversive religion if the emphasis is
placed upon a personal religious conversion experience. Conversely, it can be argued
that a conversion experience brings enthusiasm and commitment to a person’s faith.
Near Death Experiences - e.g. Colton Burpo - film: “Heaven is for real” and book of
the same title.
Biblical examples of religious experience: Moses by the burning bush (Exodus 3),
Isaiah called by God in the temple, Noah called by God to build and Ark, Samuel
called by God to be a prophet, Paul’s conversion on the Damascus road (Acts 8), the
annunciation of the birth of Christ to Mary, the Transfiguration of Christ experienced
by Peter, James and John (the Gospels).
Charismatic experiences in the Christian Church today - including speaking in
tongues, words of prophecy, acts of healing, etc.
Religious experience in Islam - found expressed primarily in the Sufi tradition with
the Whirling Dervishes - they engage in spinning in order to tap into the power of the
revolting universe, thereby engaging with God
Sceptics might refer to such claims as psychosomatic - “all in the mind”/wish-
fulfilment. Freud would argue that such religious claims are a clear symptom of
psychological neurosis due to childhood sexual trauma
Jung - a contemporary psychologist to Freud however argued that failure to have
religious faith and the resulting experience would lead to psychological illness - so
faith was positive to make the individual whole. Persinger’s Helmet and prayer
studies on intercessory prayer.
The Importance of Religious Conversion:
Religious conversion was a controversial topic in the early church era. Individuals
were born into a nation and religion and to attempt to change either was regarded
with deep suspicion. The idea of conversion to Christianity was often regarded as
revolutionary and subversive.
Religious conversion is still regarded with suspicion in many areas of the modern
world. Yet a foundational keyword in Jesus’ message was ‘repent’, meaning to change
direction. Christianity can be portrayed as a subversive religion if the emphasis is
placed upon a personal religious conversion experience. Conversely, it can be argued
that a conversion experience brings enthusiasm and commitment to a person’s faith.
