Can people really talk to the dead?
In June of 1996 Hillary Clinton claimed that she contacted the dead. She claimed that she contacted Eleanor Roosevelt and Mahatma Gandhi. Eleanor’s advice was to have skin as tough as a rhinoceros according to reports. These contacts were made through Jean Houston, co-director of the Foundation for Mind Research, which is describes as a group that studies the psychic experience and altered and expanded consciousness. Just as King Saul thousands of years ago sought a medium to contact the dead, so did Hillary. Was this just harmless therapy or was it demonism?
The American Heritage Dictionary provides the following definition: “The belief that the dead communicate with the living, usually through a medium.” The word actually comes from two Greek words: nekros, which means “dead,” and manteia, which means “divination.” When combining these two words together we create the word “necromancy” which means “communing with the dead.”
Necromancy, as it is called in the Bible, is a forbidden practice. Yet people throughout history have been intrigued by the mystery and the quest of death. The Fox sisters Margaretta and Kate lived in the small town of Hydesville, in upstate New York. On March 31, 1848, the Fox sisters claimed they had contacted a peddler that had been murdered in their home. They claimed that they could communicate with the spirit world through rapping and tapping noises. This gave birth to what is called the Spiritualist Movement in America. By the year 1855 the movement claimed one million followers.
Today there are movies like “Ghost” and “The Sixth Sense”, as well as daily programs like “Crossing Over with John Edward”, that lead millions to ask the question, can people really talk to the dead? The interest in the Ouija board is still climbing in the world market. And séances are still very popular at sleepovers and parties. These demonic tools are far from being harmless games, they are communication devices designed to contact demonic spirits not departed spirits.
The following statistics are from Barna Research Group of Ventura, California (www.barna.org):
More than one-third of the public (35%) also believes that it is "possible to communicate with others after they die." This perspective is related to a person's age: half of all adults under age 38 endorse this view, compared to one-third of the Boomers (mid-thirties to mid-fifties) and just one out of seven older adults.
Ghosts may exist (1999) - 48%
Ghosts definitely do not exist (1999) - 47%
Ghosts exist (2003) - 51%
Belief by women that ghosts exist (2003) - 58%
Belief by persons 25 to 29 years of age - 65%
Belief by persons over 64 - 27%
These statistics tell us that the question of necromancy needs to be addressed.
The Bible is very clear on God’s position towards this Pagan practice.
“Or a charmer, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” Deuteronomy 18:11-12
This question must be addressed from a Biblical perspective in order to understand the consequences associated with the practice.
1. The Bible clearly states that a person who has crossed over into eternity is in one of two places:
judgment: Hebrews 9:27
There is no better place in the Bible that illustrates this point than when Jesus discussed it with His disciples. Luke 16:19- 31
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
(Note, a person does not go to Heaven or Hell because of their financial status as you will see as you read)
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
(Note, in this place he was tormented)
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus,
that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am
tormented in this flame
(Note, these flames were not figurative, they created pain and thirst.)
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
(Note, there is a barrier)
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
(Note, he did have a desire to make contact from the dead and was unable to do it.)
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
(If you are looking for a message from the dead, this one should be enough as a warning)
“Mr. Benoit, you teach your children to talk to the dead.” I responded, “no I do not.” To that she again insisted that I taught my children to talk to the dead. Again I denied her accusation.
Finally she said, “you teach them to talk to Jesus don’t you?” I quickly responded, “yes, I do.” To that she said, “He’s dead, isn’t He.” I said, “no, but I am glad you asked. Jesus isn’t dead he is alive.” Then I quoted to her the angel’s words that rang out early on that resurrection morning. “Why seek you the living among the dead?”
As Christians we don’t need to talk to a dead spirit, but a living Savior.