Can you believe in the paranormal realm and be a Christian?

Question

I was raised by my mother who is a Christian (baptist), and by my grandmother who was a psychic medium. I was taught about the bible AND taken to psychic fairs as a kid. I'm 33 and still having problems integrating my 2 belief systems. What do you think about this?

Thank you everyone. All of your answers were helpful and appreciated.

Answer 1

I can well understand your confusion. Maybe this will help ... #1: No one but YOU can judge whether or not you're a Christian. If you say you're one then you are one. OK, that part of your question is settled. #2: To whom do you give the authority to decide what else you believe? Who has authority over you and can tell you what you must believe as a Christian? Isn't that a little like whether or not you're a Christian? Isn't that YOUR call? Isn't that between you and your concept of God ... And NO ONE else? #3: The paranormal, aka psychic phenomena. Can you integrate that into your Christian belief system? Well, maybe. Maybe its not nearly so foreign to that belief system as you've been lead to believe. Maybe you've just been misinformed by people who in turn were misinformed or who in their studies misunderstood the thing. Maybe ... Think about these things ... Psychics have visions of the future, channelers talk to angels and others, readers of various types make predictions, and astrologers look at the stars and find wonders there. Any biblical co-relations here? John had visions of the future. Lot talked with angels. Prophets have made many predictions. And the Wise Men from the East? They were Persian Magi, well versed in astrology. They followed a star, and found a Great Wonder. Maybe, just maybe, the Bible and REAL Christianity is wrapped all around the paranormal. Maybe its just that certain things go by different names in different schools of thought and that confuses an issue that otherwise wouldn't be confused at all. Maybe to be a Christian you have no choice but to believe in the paranormal. Maybe other Christians just use different words to describe the same things and the only real problem of integrating these "seemingly different" belief systems rests there and no where else. Maybe. ~ Peace & Blessings ~

Answer 2

If a psychic makes any false predictions, he/she is a false prophet (beware) and is not of God. If your grams claims to speak with the dead or has ever helped you lose the lottery, she's not following the teachings of Christ. :P

I don't see how I could personally intertwine the two, especially if your grandmother is NOT a Christian. If she's not, then what she believes isn't Christian. This means either Christianity is wrong, or her psychic beliefs are. I guess if I knew more about your grandmother's beliefs, I could give a better answer.

Very interesting question. :)

Answer 3

Absolutely. I say this because I believe god to be in the category of paranormal. You can't see him or touch him but you know he is there. I can't quote scripture and verse, but somewhere in the bible it says "young men will have visions, old men dreams." I actually had a conversation with my grandfather who had died. He came to me through the front door and I was wide awake to talk to me about a cousin who was in trouble. There have been other instances where members of my family and close friends that have passed had conversations with me. I believe that psychics get this gift from god. I don't think someone can say they are a medium without some proof. Try to remember the things that happened with your mother and grandmother. Good or bad. I think if you just remember paranormal means things unseen/unexplained you'll be able to resolve your dillema. Good luck. I hope I helped.

Answer 4

Astrologers in the Bible... The Lord Jesus is the only ONE that can Tell the Future.. Dividers of the heavens Daniel 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Daniel 2:27 and 28 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known the king Neb-u-chad-nez'-zar what shall be in the latter days. They dream, and the visions of thy head upon they bed, are these; Isaiah 47:1 Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the groud: there is no throne O daughter of the Chal-de;-ans: for though shalt no more be called tender and delicate. Isaiah 47: 13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of they counsels, Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Isaiah 47: 14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame; there shall not be a coal of warm at, nor fire to sit before it Daniel 4: 7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chal-de'-ans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dreams before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. Daniel 5: 7 and 8 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chal-de'-ans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretaton thereof.

Answer 5

I think that it is important to discover what you believe. Wouldn't it be fair to say that as Christian one would have to believe in the a paranormal realm? Think about it. They believe in Devils and demons which cannot be seen. They also believe in Angels and the Holy Spirit which cannot be seen, but some claim can be felt. I think that some people are gifted with abilities that most of us are not blessed with, but are very real.

I suggest you might like to read "Conversations With God" by Neale Donald Walsch. I found it fascinating. It answered a lot of questions that I had myself.

Answer 6

The bible teaches not to dable in witchcraft. There is a supernatural world but I believe is demons or familiar spirits that decieve people. They can even give special knowledge to make people believe them. They are the masters of deception. The power comes from demons not God. God may give some people the gift of prophecy but that is not the same as nonchristian psychics. Be careful when dealing in this because I believe it can open the door to demonic attack.

Answer 7

NO, in the bible magicians and witches were all products of devils. I'm telling u this 4 ur own salvation, don't even mess with that stuff. God said you shall worship no other god, for i am a jealous God.
I can't go super deep on it right now, i'd to read the bible meditate on the word, but i'll pray 4 u.
If u wanna no more or something email me:
[e-mail]
:)

Answer 8

I think that you have to learn to differentiate between wisdom that comes from God and that which comes from a different source. You use the word "paranormal" while God uses the word "spiritual" in describing the realm that is invisible to us. There are angels, both holy and fallen, and there is the Holy Spirit of God and evil spirits that seek to seduce people into seeking wisdom and power apart from God. So be careful and stay close to God through a relationship with his Son and may the Lord be with you always.

Answer 9

Absolutely. The paranormal realm can be explained as a purgatory - a holding ground between this world and the next. At some point, when their sentence is up, they move up to heaven.

Answer 10

Well in all honesty my definition of the word paranormal my not be correct but I think it is the same as supernatural. Now I now it is a sin to mix Christ with other belief systems because He said He is the only way.


John 14:5-6

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

However, God is not only a supernatural being but He is MOST HIGH. Christians should know how to take hold of things in The Spirit.



Ephesians 6: 10-18

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.



12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.



13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;


Romans 4-16

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

As God's children we need to call those things that be not as though they were. But lets not get involved with witchcraft or medium powers since Christ is the only way. God Bless and Keep you. Hope I helped even a little.