Thoughts about "Before" by Jim B. Tucker, M.D.

     I finished reading "Before" last night. It is two books, "Life after Life" and "Return to Life," by Jim B. Tucker, M.D. wrapped in a single volume. For those who didn't read my previous posts on the book, this work essentially summarizes for the layman what has been sixty five years of research by Dr. Ian Stevenson and his team from the University of Virginia, of which Dr. Tucker became a part in the mid-nineties, on reports of past life memories by children between the ages of 2 and 5, give or take. In all, 2500 cases were documented from countries and cultures around the world. A special focus is given in the book to those cases which they regarded as "solved," that is, ones in whom the deceased previous life was positively identified through statements made by the child (which knowledge the child could not have possibly obtained through normal means). The researchers are facts oriented, look for other "normal" explanations, and are painstaking in doing everything they can to keep their subjects free from bias or "contamination" by outside influences. In spite of their no-nonsense approach, the cases they describe are nothing short of impossible if reincarnation of some kind has not occurred. They also made it a point to not approach this work from any kind of a religious bias of their own, the author himself having originally come from a Southern Baptist background (which denomination clearly repudiates and forbids a belief in reincarnation of any kind, as do most Christian denominations).
     First off, let me say that this book is not for everyone. The case that the author builds from his research for the reality of reincarnation is, at the very least, rock solid and built on those decades of research, interviews, and case studies. If you find this threatening to your religious beliefs or worldview, then you may want to think twice about reading it. Second, the author, after presenting his evidence, also talks about quantum mechanics and its relationship to consciousness and the nature of reality. Once again, he builds his argument logically from the known facts, verified by experimentation, of the physics of the quantum realm. The conclusions he comes to based on these facts will also disturb and upend a person's belief system because of the evidence and solid argumentation he presents. Third, there are many that will classify this book and their research as "New Age nonsense" and dismiss it out of hand. While an argument can be made that it falls in line with some branches of New Age thinking, that is neither the viewpoint nor the intention of the author, who reads as a serious, dedicated scientist only interested in facts and data. And it is this last bit which has made the biggest impression on me as to the integrity of his and his mentor's research. While I've learned the hard way to keep an open mind, I don't consider myself easily persuaded by nonsense (though of course some would argue this point). Dr. Tucker's thoughtful and facts oriented writing has seriously impressed me and given me a great amount of thinking to do.
     There is one thought which occurs to me after finishing the book. I have written before that "pneuma o theos," "God is spirit" in John 4:24 can reasonably also be rendered "God is energy" based on the understanding of "pneuma" at the time it was written. What has occurred to me is that, also based on the understanding of the word "pneuma," it could also be rendered "God is Consciousness." And the whole verse could be rendered, "God is Consciousness, and it is necessary for those prostrating themselves [worshipping] before Him to prostrate themselves [worship] with consciousness and with truth." Which is in the context of the question of whether or not God should be worshipped on Mount Gerazim or in Jerusalem on Mount Zion, and Jesus' answer that a time is coming when those genuinely worshipping the Father will do so with consciousness and with truth, because the Father is seeking such people as these to worship Him. This also reminds me of what God says through the prophets in the Old Testament, where He is adamant about actually doing what He says with sincerity of heart, and not just bringing sacrifices and burnt offerings in religious ritual. It also reminds me of the prophecy of the New Covenant in Jeremiah, where He says He will write His Torah on their hearts.
     Within more New Age writings and media, the Being of God is frequently called "Source" in order to divorce Him from a Judeo-Christian understanding (through which churches many such people have been hurt and removed themselves from). In a way, "Source" isn't so very different from Jesus calling God "Father" or more generally, "Parent." It also is little different from referring to Him as "Creator." It indicates the relationship that one was born of, made, or generated by the Other in some way. While Christians may be uncomfortable with the term, it is nevertheless perfectly accurate to describe the Being, and person of the Trinity we call God the Father as "Source." I am coming to think that it is no less accurate to describe Him as "Consciousness" as well in the sense of "Consciousness Himself," and also "The Source of Consciousness."
     Finally, my thoughts turn to what is meant by human beings being created "in the image of God." If each one of us is, ultimately, a consciousness which can exist apart from a physical body, and God is ultimately the Source of Consciousness, then this is what is meant by human beings being the image of God, that we are each of us individual consciousnesses born of and still connected to His consciousness.
     These are just thoughts generated by my recent reading. As for me, it changes nothing where discipleship to Jesus Christ is concerned and the need to submit to and surrender to His Spirit with whom we are joined as opposed to our own malfunctioning brains.