Douglas Jacoby Podcast

Paranormal: Ghosts

Episode Summary

Douglas continues his series on The Paranormal, looking today at Ghosts. This Podcast was published on May 12, 2010.

Episode Notes

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Podcast points

• Affirmed in the Bible? No -- only popular superstition.
  • Matthew 14:26, Mark 6:49 (walking on the sea).
  • Luke 24:37, 39 (post-resurrection).
  • There are, however, spirit beings.
  • And in the case of demonic possession, there is a sort of haunting. For more, listen to the podcast on Demon Possession.
  • Note: Job 4:15 and Isa 29:4 do not prove support the popular notion.
• Not the same as demons.
• The spirits of the dead do not come back.
  • Listen to the podcast in this series on What Happens After We Die?
  • See also Heb 9:27.
  • The dead are in Hades (Sheol), the waiting place, until the resurrection of the dead and the Judgment. Listen also to the podcast on The Resurrection of the Dead.
• Psychological aspect
  • Superstition
  • Fear
  • Hallucination
• Ghosts discovered in old houses?
  • Magnetic fields
  • Dust in random motion
  • Creaking sounds (subsidence, e.g.)
  • Association with death common in old structures.
• Jesus came to destroy our fear of death (Heb 2:15).

Conclusion

• Be sensible, not superstitious. Fiction is fiction.
• While there may be spirit beings in our world, the spirits of departed humans do not "come back to haunt us."
• Engage in the conversation; people are interested in the paranormal and many are willing to listen. This can be an opening for the gospel.