CHRISTIANITY AND THE PARANORMAL

AS CHRISTIANS, WE BELIEVE IN LIFE AFTER DEATH, BUT WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEAN? 

Christians and Non-Christians alike have a strong desire to believe that life goes on beyond the grave.

I grew up Christian. I attended an Assembly of God service each and every Sunday in the mountains of Berry Creek California, where I grew up. I was taught that life did indeed go on beyond this realm, and that someday after my passing, I was going to meet my savior, Jesus Christ.

In fact I recall the day as though it was yesterday, when I actually asked Jesus in my heart to be my Lord and Savior, I was nine!

It was the mid 70's, and there was a hippy, groovy Jesus movement happening in the alternative subculture, of which my mother was now a part of. I recall I was in a 1972 Volkswagen van, driving down an old winding dirt road, with my mother and three sibling. We had just attended a mountain revival meeting, and we were on our way home. My little nine year old mind was racing and my little body trembled with excitement after the charismatic meeting. Thoughts of this wonderful man known as Jesus, a person sent to earth by God, to forgive me of my sins, a man created in the image of God who was actually Gods son...sent on my behalf to love me, and accept me no matter what. Wow...!

I remember looking out the van window at the trees whizzing by, it was starting to get dark yet I could see glimpses of lake Oroville to my left. I recall the sun just starting to set over the dam, as I looked up from the VW bench seat over at my mother in the driver’s seat, and said, "Mama, what do I need to do to have Jesus be my savior? I was thinking about what the Preacher said, and I think I would like to have Jesus be in my heart to be my savior."

My mother looked into the rear-view mirror at me for a second then continued to look ahead at the curvy bumpy road in anticipation of a possible deer darting out in front out of us at the same time, and said, "Its simple, just ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, then ask him to forgive you of all your sins."

I closed my tiny eyes tightly, and thought about my tainted nine year old past. I had kicked my sister earlier, I had yelled at my brother and called him a fart head. Hummm, what else had I said or done that I needed forgiveness for?

"Jesus," I said under my breath, "Please be my Lord and Savior...uhhh, oh and please forgive me for my sins. Love you, and I guess that is it, Sir." As I opened my eyes I somehow thought I was going to see an angel or a burning bush, maybe the star spangled banner would miraculously play, or possibly the Lord himself would appear in the sky over the dam, but no, all that happened was, I felt a weight lifted off my young sin-filled shoulders. I was now saved, and just like the Preacher and my mom said, I was now assured my place in the after life. Wheew...disaster and the devil's den were now averted!

As a child and teen, my Christian leaders and spiritual mentors explained life's existence, mysteries and spirituality in very black and white, absolute terms. I was taught that angels and demons exist. Angels were created beings (Psalm 148:2,5; Col. 1:16): non-human spirits created for the sole purpose of serving and carrying out the will of God. Fallen angels were rebels, and being against God, they became demons.Satan was the most treasured angel God created, but he had turned against God, and wanted to become God. (Isaiah 14:12-16; Ezekiel 28:12-15). It was all very simple, set in stone, believable, handed down and written by God's Chosen, in a book called the Bible.

So as a Christian it is understandable why those who have had an encounter with the paranormal, or who investigate the paranormal, are discriminated against, and even mocked. The scientific word "paranormal," in and of itself, sends many Christians into a spiritual tailspin. Why is that? Is it simply the word paranormal, or is it the fact that there is actually a supernatural world that exists and we are actually scared to admit it?

TO BE CONTINUED ........