On New Year's Day 2023, actor Jeremy Renner was pronounced clinically dead after being crushed by a 15 000-pound snowplough. He broke 38 bones, his lung collapsed, he stopped breathing. At this point, Jeremy describes being in a place of pure love, beyond time, space... beyond pain. And like so many others who had near-death experiences, he felt peace, unity, and an overwhelming love.
But it all got weird when he said, in his interview with Oprah recently, that he met the collective divinity of love. He says so because he's unwilling to identify who this god is. He claims that religions bring division and he doesn't wanna do that. We all feel sad for Jeremy for having gone through all this pain and we're all happy that he's doing much better now. However, I must say that I really question his logic.
First, the love Jeremy describes is identical to what millions of people have testified to: a radiant, personal, overwhelming love. And that overwhelming love is given to all, regardless of their background. It's unconditional love. Countless near-death experiences end in a person meeting The Person, The Being, not a vague spirit, not a glowing orb: a person, a presence, a saviour. May I ask which only religion claims that God is both beyond the universe and loves everyone unconditionally?
The eastern religions believe that the universe itself is God, which is not what is experienced in those NDEs. The NDEs show that God is a real person with an identity. Judaism claims that God is the god of Israel and Israel only. Islam claims that Allah does not love the unbelievers. But that god who appears in those experiences loves everyone unconditionally. He is the Creator of the universe, since He is not the universe itself. He is made of uncreated light. Again, as experienced in those NDEs and as we say in the Creed: light of light.
All of these characteristics clearly speak about this one God who has a name. And that name is Jesus. Nowhere in that ten-minute interview with Jeremy does anyone say His name: not Oprah, not Dr. Greyson, not Jeremy. What are they afraid of? And let's be honest: when media platforms like this interview strip away His name, they aren't being neutral. They're actively concealing Christianity from public view. And that is spiritual censorship.
So, why not say His name? Because the name of Jesus is powerful. And in today's culture, that power makes people uncomfortable. Maybe they are simply unaware of this information. But again, these are the basic tenets of Christianity and it is common knowledge.
I don't say this to criticize Oprah or Dr. Greyson or Jeremy. I truly believe he had a spiritual encounter. But we do him and everyone listening a disservice if we pretend that divinity has
no identity. It's not love that people are hiding from: it's Jesus. So, I'm asking you today: if you've had a moment like Jeremy's, if you've felt that divine love, don't stop at the feeling. Seek the one who is love. Say His name: Jesus.
Jeremy says love is the only thing you take with you when you die... but Jesus is the one who brings you there. Let's not ignore Him.