Table Talk – The Paranormal?

Table-Talk: What does the Bible say about the Paranormal?

Text: Romans 8:38-39

In this study we want to ask why there is such an interest in spiritual darkness?  Does the Bible have anything to say about superstition, about the paranormal, about ghosts, and about the ‘afterlife’ in general.  And why are people so interested and fascinated with ‘life after death’ when they are not at all interested in learning that there is a heaven and a hell?   In his book, “The Truth Behind Ghosts,” Christian author and lecturer Ron Rhodes says that ‘The Paranormal is the New Normal!’  Rhodes suggests that there are several reasons for this unhealthy interest in the occult, ghosts and hauntings, like Paranormal TV programmes and Paranormal films and books.  Celebrity culture too as people follow their favourite stars. Games too.  In the 1960s there was a great rise in people exploring eastern mysticism. Any connection with the occult will lead into paranormal curiosity and exploration.  There’s one factor that the Bible continually stresses throughout, the real underlying reason why people searching for the light, find themselves groping in the darkness.  It is found in the words of Jesus in John 3:19  The human heart will always, in its own sinful rebellion, veer towards what is evil, Genesis 6:5   Jeremiah 17:9. Ok, let’s look into it…

*  What Happens After We Die?

Thats the heart of it. Is there life after death?  People do want to know, because at the back of their minds is this nagging reality that once day they will die.  the Bible leaves no room for uncertainty about this.

READ:  Hebrews 9:27  and Ecclesiastes 12:7 T Answer the following questions:

1. How often do we physically die? 
2. What happens to a person after death? 
3. When our bodies are buried, does the spirit linger here on earth? 
4. If not, why not? 

HOMEWORK / CASE STUDY:  Read Luke 16:22-31 and ask, where did the beggar go after death?  Where did the rich man go?  If a ghost could speak to or communicate with a living person, why would the rich man want Abraham to send someone to  speak to his five brothers?  Couldn’t he communicate with them himself? 

*  The Paranormal Today.

Let’s briefly look at some modern issues, paranormal experimentation that we might encounter among our friends and neighbours…

• Is there such a thing as a ‘Haunted House.’  What does the Bible say?

QUESTION: After death, can a person come back and haunt the house that they lived in”

READ: Job 7:9-10   

QUESTION: Like in ‘Ghost’ the film, if a person has unfinished business here on earth, if for example they have had a violent death can they return after death to seek redress?   

READ: Psalm 146:4. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;  In that very day his plans perish.

• Should people attempt to contact the dead?  People who are grieving after the loss of a loved one can very often be tempted to attend a ‘medium’ or a psychic, or a seance, – or the so-called ‘spiritualist church’ in Belfast, seeking answers.   Should we even attempt to contact the dead?

QUESTION: Do dead people retain the hurts and likes and dislikes etc that they had in this life?

READ: Ecclesiastes 9:5-6  

QUESTION: When we are bereaved, or grieving, should we seek the services of a medium?   

READ: Isaiah 8:19  

There is another issue with seances and mediums etc.  There can be DEMONS present at this events, both at seances and during ouija games.  These ‘demons’ are spiritual beings, fallen angels. Revelation 12:7-9   They are on this earth to war against Christians, and to deceive.   

QUESTION: Can demons appear to be like your deceased relatives?

READ:  2 Corinthians 11:14-15 

QUESTION: Should Christians be present in a service or seance where demons are being consulted?   

READ: 1 Corinthians 10:21  If we shouldn’t seek the help of a medium, who should we seek help from?

* Should we be afraid of ghosts?   

QUESTION: Why should Christians not be afraid of what the devil and his minions are up to?  Who said this…

READ:  Luke 10:19.  

QUESTION: How do Christians deal with fear of the unknown, or of ‘supernatural activities?

READ:  James 4:7-8  

We’ve looked a little at the paranormal, and hopefully we will have got a clear biblical view of the correct Christian attitude.  We’ve not to be involved with necromancers or mediums or spiritualists or to expect to see departed spirits.  We are to be aware of the existence of demons, ‘familiar spirits’ who deceive us, and we are never to be afraid.   Romans 8:38-39  

© Bob McEvoy November 2021