Question 87 – How do you explain various paranormal phenomena?

We will approach the question of the supernatural on a general plain. We can designate the paranormal as a reality for which there is no rational explanation. At this point, I want to emphasise that I do not have in mind mysteries that are, in reality, not paranormal phenomena. It is possible to class such things as various kinds of scams and hoaxes, tricks by charlatans, undiscovered physical mechanisms, or simple coincidences that we mistakenly consider to be marks of the supernatural in this group. I do want to discuss true phenomena that have no satisfactory explanation without the acknowledgement of the existence of a higher spiritual reality.

These phenomena are mysterious, sometimes awesome causing fear, bodily sensations, and events that bring great enjoyment to the wider public. We think of them, we get goosebumps; they stir us to the extreme of our imagination. The Czech Republic is mistakenly considered to be one of the most atheistic countries in the world by some, but the truth is that many people could be designated as "some kind of believers". They may not believe in God but they do believe in horoscopes, tarot cards, experiment with occultic techniques, and support many opinions and teachings from the world of paranormal phenomena. It is absolutely not in my power to examine even the greater part of these phenomena. I will, however, try to provide guidance and principles by which it will be possible to make a spiritual judgement concerning them. To give you a better idea, I will cite several illustrative examples of what we can consider to be paranormal phenomena. We will look at some of them in more detail later. Here are some of the phenomena:

• Phenomena of spirits/ghosts – These are such things as a white woman who appears at castles and buildings, visitations from dead relatives, or poltergeists.
• Spiritism and calling forth spirits – all methods and techniques used to make contact with the dead.
• Supernatural revelations – this is often found in church environments when dead people, supposedly the biblical Mary, angels, and such, appear to certain people and bring a message to humanity.
• Supernatural abilities – telekinesis, telepathy, moving objects by thought, clairvoyance, various levels of sensitivity to energy, and many other abilities
• Hypnosis and communication with the subconscious
• Experiences from earlier lives
• Divination, horoscopes, and numerology
• Automatic writing/ psychography
• Channelling
• Phenomena of UFOs
• Chi energy, the energy of pyramids, work with auras, and bio resonance therapy
• Various methods of alternative medicine
• Initiations and magic rituals, occultic ceremonies, spiritual meditation
• plus many other examples

Once again, I return to our question, how can various paranormal phenomena be explained? Since God himself by his power created all physical and spiritual realities, the simple and logical conclusion can be offered – God accepts them. However, if you have read other sections of this book, then you know that the situation in the spiritual world is somewhat more complicated. God's created, spiritual world was divided long ago by the rebellion of some of his angels. For this reason, the question of resolving paranormal phenomena has now become very complicated. The whole area of the mysterious and supernatural can now be divided into two sources of causation:

1) The supernatural in God's regime

2) The supernatural in the regime of fallen spiritual beings (Satan and demons)

All the supernatural phenomena that we can experience or follow (on this planet) are the result of the activity or decision of intelligent spiritual beings. It can be God's activity (miraculous healing, various signs, answered prayer, visions, the ability of Christians to have insight into the problems of another, the revelation of hidden realities about a person or a problem, etc.) we are dealing with, or the activity of the angels of God (their intervention in critical and life-threatening situations, their appearance within the framework of helping people, etc.). However, it can also be the activity of demons who try to deceive a humanity loved by God. They try to destroy and darken the truth of God's gospel about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us in the greatest way possible.

This is where Christianity starts from and is the springboard for further consideration of any supernatural phenomena and actualities. As Christians, we know that not all of these phenomena are harmless but on the contrary many of them should be something to be seriously feared. Whatever the paranormal phenomena are, thanks to the study of the "mysterious" and various writings, they are often not mysterious for the Christian. The interaction of humans with the spiritual world is being dealt with here, in most cases precisely, with the demonic. The reality here is that Satan and his demons create a great many theories and "truths" that deceive a whole nation. In this way, the clear/direct connection escapes us and in turn gives the impression that what is/has happened is "mysterious" or "unexplainable". I will try to show these connections in many of the phenomena.

Where is the border between God and Satan?

An uninformed person could ask the following question, "How can I recognise whether or not the phenomenon or supernatural method comes from God or is demonic?" It is not uncommon for people to argue to the "nth" degree in order to defend a specific method or supernatural phenomenon and try to assert that in its substance it is from God. At other times, people will approach the solution to this question in a purely pragmatic way and state that if it helps someone, then we are dealing with God and should approve the behaviour. Although there are many questions, even among Christians, in regards to some paranormal phenomena and occultic practices, there is, in reality, a rather simple resolution.

The basic rule of the Christian for judging whatever "supernatural" experience in his/her life is what God himself says; that is, what is revealed in the Bible. A person finds out who God is, what his will is, what he says about the spiritual world, what we need to be careful of, how to know if something is a lie, and so on from the Bible. If a person measures whatever area of the supernatural by the truth of the Bible, he/she will usually be able to discern what the source and origin of that specific power or mystery is without too much trouble. Therefore, we can state that almost all of the above-mentioned phenomena are very closely related to the world of demons on a biblical basis, logical thinking, and the practical experience of others. The final result of this activity is to bring those who support it into spiritual bondage. In the following questions, I will try to show why Christians have come to this conclusion by using some specific examples. We can always ask ourselves some basic questions that will help us to resolve this sensitive question:

1. What is the origin of this given phenomenon or technique?
2. What is its basic message and what does it convey?
3. How does this method or phenomenon function – on what principles(s)?
4. Where does it lead to as we consider it, and who/what does it point to?
5. What kind of fruit does it produce?

We will be able to recognise the truth concerning the Christian God and how he is revealed in the Bible on the basis of these further questions:

1. Does the given phenomenon or method glorify God?
2. Does it lead people to God himself and to the Lord Jesus Christ?
3. Is this phenomenon in agreement with the message of the Bible and the gospel of Christ?

Summation

In its widest sense, paranormal phenomena are realities that come about through the interaction of people and the unseen spiritual world. These phenomena can be as a result of God's (and his angels') influence, or as a result of demonic activity. However, the majority of known paranormal activity and practices are truly the result of the entrance of demonic influence into human society.