While the Near Death Experience explores where we go after death, the Pre-Birth Experience examines where we lived before we were born. Like the NDE, the PBE seems to be happening more frequently. It is as though mankind is undergoing a spiritual renaissance to counterbalance the increase in chaos and despair in the world. This observation is made by Sarah Hinze in a book entitled Coming From the Light (p; 167).

In Jer. 1:5, God says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." This is a biblical implication that we existed in some form before we were born. There are numerous non-scriptural references to the pre-existence of our souls. Here is a sampling :

"With the soul of Adam, the souls of all the generations of man were created. B. Chagiga 2B (ancient text).

"Jesus said, 'If they say to you, From where have you originated? say to them, 'We have come from the Light, where the Light has originated through itself.'" The Book of Thomas, Nag Hammadi Texts.

"Three groups of people lived in every village. First were those you could see-walking around, eating, sleeping, and working. Second were the ancestors. The third group of people...are those waiting to be born." Roots, Alex Haley.

"We are all eternal spirits who lived in a heavenly realm of light and beauty before coming to earth." Embraced by the Light.

Near-death experiences report a sense of 'returning home' when their spirit temporarily crosses to the other side. One cannot 'return to' if one has not 'come from.' What is this place we 'return to'? The PBE provides evidence that we 'come from' the same place we 'return to'. In other words, we come from the Light and we return to the Light." Coming From the Light, p. 168.

Origen, "the most prominent of the church fathers with the possible exception of Augustine," taught the pre-existence of the soul. (Encyclopedia Britannica) In AD 553, the Emperor Justinian convinced the pope to convene the Council of Constantinople which condemned the ideas of Origen. Those who continued to believe in pre-existence and rebirth were persecuted, and this campaign of slaughter effectively forced the concept underground. Had it not been for the council, the Christian Church might well have been teaching pre-existence and rebirth as a basic doctrine all these years.

Do you have a pre-birth experience story that you would like to share? If so please feel free to write me a john@beyondreligion.com.