In this episode of BS Free MD, Drs. Tim and May Hindmarsh welcome John Burke, New York Times best-selling author of Imagine Heaven and Imagine the God of Heaven. Burke shares his remarkable 35-year journey from agnostic engineer to pastor and researcher of more than 1,500 near-death experiences.
He describes how modern medical resuscitation has made NDEs more common—and how these firsthand accounts, from Hindus to atheists to Christians, consistently reveal the same divine presence: a God of light, love, and compassion.
Through gripping stories, Burke recounts verifiable cases—patients describing operating room events while clinically dead, blind individuals who could “see” for the first time, and cross-cultural experiences that all point toward the same radiant being. He also explores the profound moral lessons people return with—love over status, kindness over success—and how these glimpses of eternity reshape how we live today.
Guest Bio
John Burke is a New York Times best-selling author, pastor, and speaker who has spent more than 35 years researching over 1,500 near-death experiences (NDEs) to better understand what they reveal about the afterlife. He is the author of six books, including the internationally acclaimed Imagine Heaven and Imagine the God of Heaven, which explore the striking parallels between modern NDEs and the descriptions of heaven found in scripture.
A former agnostic and engineer by training, John’s own journey toward faith began when he encountered the earliest research on NDEs while his father was dying of cancer. That curiosity led him to decades of study and eventually to founding Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, a multi-site congregation created as a safe space for skeptics and seekers.
Today, John and his wife Kathy focus on their writing and outreach ministry, helping people across all faiths explore life’s biggest questions. His work has inspired millions to consider the evidence for an afterlife and the boundless love of the God who awaits us there.
Website: www.imagineheaven.net
Books: Imagine Heaven, Imagine the God of Heaven, No Perfect People Allowed
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DISCLAIMER
Everything in this podcast is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and we are not providing medical advice. No Physician-patient relationship is formed and anything discussed in this podcast does not represent the views of our employers.
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All opinions expressed by the hosts or guests in this episode are solely their opinion and are not to be used as specific medical advice. The hosts, May and Tim Hindmarsh MD, BS Free MD LLC, or any affiliates thereof are not under any obligation to update or correct any information provided in this episode. The guest's statements and opinions are subject to change without notice.
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