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Ghost Hunt. Paranormal researchers investigate Center for Arts (Daily News Journal) 34% of people believe in ghosts (October, ’ 07) How to explain the trend?. 1. Television programs * Beyond , hosted by James Van Praagh * Ghost Whisperer (also Van Praagh)
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Ghost Hunt Paranormal researchers investigate Center for Arts(Daily News Journal) • 34% of people believe in ghosts (October, ’07) • How to explain the trend? 1. Television programs *Beyond, hosted by James Van Praagh *Ghost Whisperer (also Van Praagh) *Crossing Over, hosted by John Edward
TV programs 2. Marian apparitions 3. Roman Catholic priests 4. Ouija boards, Dungeons and Dragons, seances, psychics, mediums, witchcraft, black magic 5. A Christmas Carol
I. The Bible And Necromancy • Necromancy: alleged power to communicate with the dead (ghosts) • Other terms: Medium, Spiritist or Spiritualist
Alleged Biblical Proof Of Necromancy Mt.14:22-26 Already scared Over the edge Lk.24:37-39 Spirits are real Ja.2:26 Ac.12:1-15 Peter still alive Angels are real; disciples are wrong
II. What Makes Deceptions Successful? • It pays to believe in ghosts • Ignorant of Bible • Desire to communicate w. dead • Imagination • Excitement • Experts (TV, books, etc.)
James Van Praagh vs Michael Shermer • Interviewed woman for 20/20: J. V. Praagh: Seven hits Twenty-nine misses M. Shermer: Seven hits Twelve misses Guessed “father”
III. What Does Bible Say? • Lv. 19:31; 20:6, 27 Mediums, familiar spirits: forbidden Cut off offenders Stone the deceivers
Dt.18:10-11 • Occult practices: abomination • Includes mediums, spiritists • Instead of amulets, prophets • Ultimate Prophet: Ac.3:19-24 “Those who call upthe dead”(NKJV) “Consulter with afamiliar spirit”(ASV) “One whoinquires of the dead”(ESV)
2 K.21:6, Manasseh . . . 2 K.23:24, Josiah temporarily shut them down Ec. 9:5-6 Ec.12:7 Is.8:…19-20 It is not . . . • Unusual to commercialize ghosts • Logical to consult dead for living • Scriptural to consult dead for living
Lk.16 The dead would not return to earth. Why? 1. Great gulf, 26 – 1 Th.4:13-18 – No necromancy 2. Sufficient revelation, 29, 31 – 2 Tim.3:16-17, an insult – 2 Pt.1:3, not necessary
1 Sm28, Saul • 12, why cry w. loud voice? • 16, even dead prophets obey God • 18, no new revelation • 1 Chr. 10:13-14, why did Saul die?
IV. Every Sighting Has An Explanation • Harry Houdini • Amazing Randi • Ghost hunters: electronic devices • Physical changes in haunted places • Seances