Dave's Adventures in the Afterlife

By Terry Eade

Obviously, this essay is a work of fiction. The author has no special training or expertise in theology, neurology, metaphysics, or any other field that would give him insight into the subject of this short essay. Neither does he claim to have any innate psychic powers to talk to the dead nor predict the future that would enable him to foresee what happens after we die. Lastly, God has not spoken to him and revealed what is in store for us in the afterlife. So the material covered herein is strictly conjecture and provided only to entertain and provide food for thought not to inform, affirm, or prognosticate.

This essay does not restrict itself to the teachings of any particular religion, denomination, or sect. It follows a basic belief in a supreme being and an afterlife common to most major religions. However, most of the examples and perspectives reference Christian teachings, since the author is most familiar with those. What the essay does try to do is reconcile the difference between religious teachings and scientific findings. For too long the concept of faith in a supreme being and the belief in scientific facts have been considered to be mutually exclusive with advocates for each point of view casting aspersions on, or outright denouncement of, the other point of view. The author of this essay believes that we can logically and intellectually believe in both without guilt, conflict, or confusion.

There are probably as many theories about an afterlife as there are people who have contemplated their own mortality. Some are based on scientific research, others on theological study, and most on what we’ve been exposed to over our lifetime. This essay is based on neither science nor theology and is just one person’s speculation about what might lie ahead. If anything, this essay should stimulate your interest in this subject and cause you to consider or refine your own personal theory.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Eade
• Release date: Aug 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463384923

Terry Eade

Dr. Eade has a BA in economics from Central Washington University, an MBA in business administration from the University of Utah, and a PhD in higher education econometrics from the University of Washington. His professional career has included being an Air Force Squadron Commander, a Chief Fiscal Officer, a college Vice President, and the Commandant of a leadership academy. He has taught college classes in both management and finance. As a management consultant he trained managers and was a keynote speaker at various conventions. Dr. Eade is also an experienced poker player, a snowbird, a golfer, a motorcycle rider, and an author.

Book preview

Title Page

Dave’s Adventures in the Afterlife

Dr. Terry Eade

Copyright 2019 Terry Eade

ISBN: 9780463384923

Chapter 1

Obviously, this essay is a work of fiction. The author has no special training or expertise in theology, neurology, metaphysics, or any other field that would give him insight into the subject of this short essay. Neither does he claim to have any innate psychic powers to talk to the dead nor predict the future that would enable him to foresee what happens after we die. Lastly, God has not spoken to him and revealed what is in store for us in the afterlife. So the material covered herein is strictly conjecture and provided only to entertain and provide food for thought not to inform, affirm, or prognosticate.

This essay does not restrict itself to the teachings of any particular religion, denomination, or sect. It follows a basic belief in a supreme being and an afterlife common to most major religions. However, most of the examples and perspectives reference Christian teachings, since the author is most familiar with those. What the essay does try to do is reconcile the difference between religious teachings and scientific findings. For too long the concept of faith in a supreme being and the belief in scientific facts have been considered to be mutually exclusive with advocates for each point of view casting aspersions on, or outright denouncement of, the other point of view. The author of this essay believes that we can logically and intellectually believe in both without guilt, conflict, or confusion.

There are probably as many theories about an afterlife as there are people who have contemplated their own mortality. Some are based on scientific research, others on theological study, and most on what we’ve been exposed to over our lifetime. This essay is based on neither science nor theology and is just one person’s speculation about what might lie ahead. If anything, this essay should stimulate your interest in this subject and cause you to consider or refine your own personal theory.

Chapter 2

The pain is his chest and left arm was enough to have Dave's wife hurriedly call the 911 operator and ask for help. Dave could not remember everything that happened, but he did remember the paramedics giving him a quick EKG, inserting an IV line into his right arm, and putting an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth before strapping him down to a gurney and inserting him into the back of the aid vehicle. He could also vaguely remember the long and bumpy ride to the hospital. At the emergency room he was rushed into surgery. The last thing he remembered was the anesthesiologist asking him to count backward from ten. Dave got as far as six before his mind went blank.

The next thing he remembered was floating above the operating table watching the surgeon and other members of the surgical team working frantically on his body. They kept looking at the screen of the monitoring device, which showed flat line heart activity. The surgeon then hollered clear and placed two paddles on Dave’s chest. Dave saw his body buck and felt a dull pressure, even though he was under anesthetic and not in his body at the time. When this attempt failed the surgeon repeated the process, but this time Dave couldn't even feel a mild sensation. The surgeon then looked at the clock and announced the time of death.

At this point Dave felt himself float further away from the operating room with everything black except the circle of vision that contained the operating room scene. This circle of light became smaller as he drifted further upward until the operating room scene was just a small dot in the middle of a pitch black vision, which reminded him of the way the old black and white picture tube looked on his first television after the set was turned off.

Chapter 3

After a short frightening pause the small circle of light started to get larger as he seemed to be moving toward an opening at the end of a dark tunnel. When he emerged from the tunnel he was surrounded by the bright light that had illuminated the opening at