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Another Perspective on Ghosts

Over the course of writing “The Resurrection,” questions and speculation regarding the nature of a certain character — let’s call him a “ghost” — have repeatedly been proffered. Some “test” readers went so far as to suggest that Christian publishers, because of the ambiguity of the character, might hedge on the book. Once again, I am indebted to Strang Publishing for allowing me to tell this story, characters intact. Nevertheless, this does not eliminate potential confusion or concern on the part of readers, which I would like to begin discussing.

While the Christian Church is largely resolved as to the nature of the afterlife (heaven and hell) and its denizens (angels and demons), there is no consensus as to an “in between” state and possible “overlaps” therein. Are the dead aware of us? Can they interact with us? If so, what forms do those interactions take? Or is all such “contact” categorically evil?

The more questions one asks, the further we get into territory beyond our explaining. This, however, has not stopped us from trying to explain paranormal phenomenon. Ghosts are no exception.

Evangelicals, for the most part, have come to define ghosts as demons. There are several reasons – good reasons – to do so. One is the Bible’s position on death. “…man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Heb. 9:27 NIV). Souls don’t get second chances. And hauntings seem to lack the finality that Scripture seems to suggest. Another reason is the fixed nature of our eternal state. It’s either heaven or hell. Forever. (Even those who believe in purgatory see it as a holding tank for one or the other.) As such, the Bible provides glimpses of souls in eternal torment or eternal bliss. Frankly, we don’t see many souls traipsing about unsure of where they’re headed. A final factor in the “ghosts are demons” position is the biblical warnings about “deceiving spirits” (I Tim. 4:1; I Jn. 4:1). We are in a “struggle” against “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). Not only are there spirits out there, many of them want to do us in and perpetrate “another gospel” (Gal. 1:8) . The medium who claims to speak to the dead, but communicates a message contrary to the Gospel, is probably speaking to someone other than Uncle Bob’s ghost.

But while there is good reason to see ghosts as demons — at the least, something malevolent — the Bible seems to offer some “contrary” evidence as to their nature and existence. The most famous and perhaps the most puzzling “ghost incident” in Scripture is Saul and the Witch of Endor (I Samuel 28). When Saul compels a seer to summon the prophet Samuel, they witness “a spirit coming up out of the ground” (vs. 13 NIV). The spirit is recognized as the dead prophet who validates himself by prophesying against Saul (vss. 16-19). So was Samuel a ghost? And where was he before his invocation? Whatever your answer, the manifestation of Samuel’s “ghost” is possible evidence of another category of existence, neither demon nor angel but disembodied man, still able to interact with our earthly plane.

Another monkey wrench in the “ghosts are demons” case is The Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8) where two dead prophets — Moses and Elijah – manifest alongside Jesus. Were they ghosts? Had they been physically resurrected? Scripture is unclear. Complicating matters was the fact the prophets “were talking with Jesus” (vs. 4 NIV), a sort of inter-dimensional conversation. Still another account is Jesus’ appearance to His disciples after His crucifixion. Luke records this:

While [the disciples] were still talking… Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” (Luke 24:36-39 NIV, emphasis mine)

Notice, the disciples immediately assumed they’d seen a ghost, suggesting that ghosts were an admissible category within their culture. Even more interesting, Jesus does not rebuke them for this belief. In fact, He seems to substantiate it: “a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have” (vs. 39).  This is important because, Christians have historically maintained that Christ resurrected in His same body. Even though the risen Jesus had the ability to vanish (Lk. 24:31) and suddenly appear in locked rooms (Jn. 20:19, 26), He was not a ghost. Among other things, this tells us that ghosts are not resurrected souls (and vice-versa), which means they are… something else.

Do these stories validate the existence of ghosts? Maybe. Maybe not. More importantly, what they do is to expand the boundaries of possibility and our understanding of paranormal phenomenon. It is simply too easy to resign all paranormal phenomenon into the category of the demonic. Samuel’s “appearance” was not viewed as demonic, nor was the Transfiguration of Moses and Elijah. Furthermore, we have no need to “test the spirits and see whether they are from God” (I Jn. 4:1) if all spirits (or spiritual phenomenon) are categorically evil. So while the Bible cautions us about deceiving spirits, it does not go so far as to say that all “encounters” are necessarily of the “deceptive” order.

I understand that this might trouble some folks. The larger issue, as I see it, is coming to grips with the world we live in. Scripture paints a universe of vast mystery, teeming with intellects (visible and invisible) both good and evil, and phenomenon beyond our wildest imaginings. This is why the Bible contains wondrous stories — stories we often take for granted — about miracles, visions, reviving corpses, warrior angels, talking mules, fiery chariots, demonized swine, tongues and prophecies. We simply live in a supernatural world. The downside—paranormal phenomenon does not always fit tightly into our theological framework. Deal with it.

While the Bible is not definitive as to the nature of ghosts, nor how the dead interact, if at all, with our world, Scripture is clear in its denunciation of necromancy, sorcery, and witchcraft (Deut. 18:9-12). We are forbidden, in explicit terms, from summoning, consulting, or communicating with the dead. So whatever conclusion a believer reaches about ghosts, inviting them, consulting them, or letting them hang around is the wrong thing to do. Seeing our world as a supernatural place is one thing; validating every supernatural phenomenon is another. In this, we do well to exercise great caution.

Back to the ghostly character in my novel. What is he… or it? To tell you would be to spoil the fun. What I am arguing for is a worldview that tolerates (at least, in a “fictional” sense) a being that defies neat categorization. Ghost, demon, or something other. The answer is as much about theology as it is the reader’s imagination.

{ 17 comments… add one }
  • Merrie Destefano September 29, 2010, 6:17 AM

    Mike,
    The bottom line for me is, I love a good story. And I can’t wait to read THE RESURRECTION!

  • Kevin Lucia September 29, 2010, 6:24 AM

    YAY! I’m actually first to comment.

    paranormal phenomenon does not always fit tightly into our theological framework. Deal with it.

    Thanks for this. In some ways, my beliefs about theology and doctrine is pretty conservative – when it comes to me and family and how we live everyday. I live a conservative life..

    However.

    I’ve never assumed that the Bible tells us all there is about everything around us. Just what’s needed.

    What does that look like for me?

    I like to think that are things going on around us, in small cracks of the world that no one ever knows about or sees. Things that cannot be explained. It’s kind of why I love the TV show “Supernatural” so much, because I LIKE the idea that these things happen in secret, away from man’s eye. That and Jared Padelicki and Jensen Ackles have awesome chemistry.

    I could go on a rant. About certain books that want the spooky vibe of a ghost, but then have to explain things in the end so there’s no ghost and no one’s theology will be offended. But I won’t.

    But. I just like to wonder. To imagine. To ask: what if? If not…what’s the point in writing fiction at all?

    • Mike Duran September 29, 2010, 6:36 AM

      Kevin, I couldn’t agree with you more about “certain books that want the spooky vibe of a ghost, but then have to explain things in the end so there’s no ghost and no one’s theology will be offended.” Right on. The Bible chalks a lot up to mystery. I specifically enjoy how God shows up at the end of the Book of Job and interrogates Job with a series of questions. But never once does God answer Job’s questions. Why oh why do we Christians have to have a tight theological answer for everything? You’re right — explaining things away strips our stories of the very thing they often need, a “spooky vibe.”

  • Kevin Lucia September 29, 2010, 6:25 AM

    Oh, nuts. Merrie slipped in on me. BTW – Merrie, I just sent your first novel out to one of my reviewers. Let you know when it goes up at:

    http://shroudmagazinebookreviews.blogspot.com/

    I’m teh Reviews Editor there.

    • Merrie Destefano September 29, 2010, 6:48 AM

      Kevin,
      SQUEEEE!

      Ahem. I mean, thank you so much! That’s awesome news. I’ll be looking forward to the review.
      =)
      Merrie

  • Sarah Witenhafer September 29, 2010, 8:18 AM

    As my pastor says, “There’s a reason why they hang a big sign over the section that says, ‘FICTION’.” I had a person blast me because I wrote a thriller where a Nephilim comes to Christ. “That’s Impossible!” she cried. “Nephilim can not be redeemed!” I scratched my head. “Okay, if I ever meet one I’ll be sure to tell them that. (Well… maybe not face to face.) But just to be clear, I didn’t write it to reach that community.” Oivey.
    However, nothing scares me more than the thought of God reading my book. That’s one editor I really want to please. 😀

  • Mark September 29, 2010, 10:55 AM

    There you go again making me rethink everything I say I believe. Even when I don’t agree with you, I certainly enjoy having my thoughts stretched.

  • Johne Cook September 29, 2010, 11:57 AM

    I’ve said for awhile that what we call the ‘real’ world is more accurately called the ‘natural’ world (which we can say) because the ‘real’ world also includes the ‘supernatural’ world (which we can’t see). However, we can deduce the activity of the supernatural in the same way described by the example of Paley’s Secret Gardner – we never see him at work, but we can see the results of his labor.

  • R. L. Copple September 29, 2010, 1:36 PM

    Mike, a couple of thoughts on your good post. Sort of things to consider.

    One, traditionally, since the resurrection destroyed Hades (a holding place of those that have died and await the final judgment) the possibility of saints residing in Paradise, a holding place for those destined for Heaven, until the Last Judgment brings them all together before God’s throne. At death, the body rests, but the soul resides in Hades or Paradise. Thus the statement of Jesus to the thief, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

    That understanding, while I know some groups of Christians don’t accept that, does provide for the possibility of “ghosts” whether you’re talking about saints or sinners, as souls don’t have a physical body, and won’t until right before the Last Judgment when the bodies are raised, rejoined with their souls, and stand before God for the final verdict.

    Two, the statement:

    We are forbidden, in explicit terms, from summoning, consulting, or communicating with the dead.

    Is too all encompassing to do justice to the prohibition mentioned in Scripture. We are forbidden in using the “black arts,” iow, not God, for those purposes. It’s rare that such events happen, but as you noted in Scripture it does happen when those who have left this life have communicated or consulted with the dead, including Jesus. I think the prohibition is because using the black arts is an attempt to get around waiting on God. I want it now! That’s what God nailed Saul for, as you note, not the fact that Samuel showed up, but that he tried to force God’s hand through prohibited means.

    I think it goes beyond that Scripture to say that those things in any form, shape, or fashion is prohibited.

    Good post though. I think much of the current black and white on some of these issues are due to holding to a secular mindset. After all, the KJV referred to the Holy Spirit as the “Holy Ghost.” Because really, ghost and spirit mean the same thing. Over the past one to two hundred years or so, the Christian culture, at least in this part of the world, has assigned a negative connotation to “ghost” while “spirit” gets a pass.

    But we’ve lost the sense of the unseen in our society, and relegated it to fantasy, or not understanding anything about it, have gone overboard and willingly subjected ourselves to deceiving spirits. Balance seems hard to find in some quarters. But it is there.

    • Mike Duran September 29, 2010, 2:32 PM

      Great points, R.L. I wanted to comment on your reference to the Old Testament prohibition against necromancy. You said, “I think the prohibition is because using the black arts is an attempt to get around waiting on God.” That’s spot on, not just as it pertains to the culture of Israel’s day, but ours as well. Many modern mediums (like John Edward) subtly undermine one’s need to go to God. Heck, why wait on God when a medium can get me there faster… and probably tell me what I want to hear. An important point: God’s prohibition against using the black arts is not a negation of their power or reality, but of their legitimacy as a means toward supernatural knowledge. hey, thanks for your comments!

  • Tim George September 29, 2010, 1:49 PM

    My thoughts have changed somewhat over the years on this subject. There was a time I stayed away from supernatural speculation because of the way I saw some Christian turning fiction into theology. Since that era of my life I have decided to quit letting those types rob me of a good story.

    There is much we don’t know (see Deut. 29:29) and much will never know this side of the veil. In our speculation, however, we must still remember to glorify God and His good and paint evil with the black stroke it deserves.

  • Veronica September 30, 2010, 10:19 PM

    Well, 1st time I have EVER posted anything on the web, yeah EVER!!! And today I signed up for Twitter on my cell, and you were the only one I could think may be interesting enough to ‘follow’. So when the ‘ghost’ writing came up, today (6th anniversary of Joe’s suicide) I found it a little bit more than intriguing and had to have a read. It frustrates me when Gary Sr., (my hubby, Joe’s unregenerate father) who is ultra-fascinated with ghost shows watches them incessantly. I argue that I personally don’t want to think of my son wandering the earth as a ‘lost’ soul with ‘unfinished business’. Paul wrote that we are “always confident” in 2 Corinthians 5:6 and again in 5:8 “confident and well pleased” that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This indicates that to be present with the Lord occurs immediately after the death of a believer. And if Paul’s words aren’t sufficient to persuade us; though we are dealing the Word of God, alive and powerful (Heb 4:12), perhaps Jesus Christ the son of God words will be enough to resolve the matter. Jesus, in Luke 23:43 told the thief on the cross, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” For me that answers any questions and settles the what if’s. I don’t know everything, nor do I need to. As a matter of fact the older I get the more I realize how much I don’t know, and it isn’t all that serious as I used to think it was.
    Anyhow, all this to say, I don’t believe in ghosts, but I do believe in giants and don’t even get me started on those darn vampires, they’re such a pain in the… well you know.
    By the by Mike, you know I love ya more than my luggage!
    (One of my favorite movie quotes as well as a true statement about my heart towards my old pastor.)
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/quotes?qt0412914my

  • Veronica October 1, 2010, 6:29 PM

    Oops, meant to say kudos to you on the release of your book. Also, really cool job on the video for it, Alayna was a perfect choice and did a wonderful job in her portrayal. I’m sure a lot of blood, sweat, tears and prayers (personal knowledge concerning the last ingredient) went into the finished product of your book. Truly, Mike much admiration for what you’ve accomplished and hope (Biblical definition of hope: confident expectation of good) that everything you’ve worked for will come to you pressed down, shaken together and running over.

  • John W. Morehead December 25, 2010, 8:44 PM

    Glad to see you tackle the paranormal, and to do so in a way that does not automatically relegate it to the demonic, as so much of evangelical apologetics tends to do. See my blog TheoFantastique for an upcoming interview with the authors of Paranormal America which looks at the topic from the perspective of sociology of religion. Our theologies need to be more careful in its assessment of the paranormal.

    Above you write, “While the Bible is not definitive as to the nature of ghosts, nor how the dead interact, if at all, with our world, Scripture is clear in its denunciation of necromancy, sorcery, and witchcraft.” A word of caution is in order here as the word translated “witchcraft” in Deuteronomy does not refer to contemporary Pagan Wicca or witchcraft. Here we have tended toward viewing followers of these pathways as demonically-inspired as well, and once again, careful reassessment is in order.

  • sarah December 25, 2010, 11:36 PM

    Well, there’s an interesting Christmas day detour. John, I think Wicca is just as demonically-inspired as Mormonism, or for that matter, lukewarm Christianity. Do you have another assessment? What do you base your assessing on? Is there an ultimate assessor or are we all independent contractors? 🙂 I love this btw.

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