Residual Energy And Haunts by Mark Hunnemann - Part 2

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Continued from:
Residual Energy And Haunts by Mark Hunnemann - Part 1

In 1974 I graduated from High School and many changes have taken place in our culture since then. And I can assure you that “residual energy” was an unknown subject. How did we get to the place where residual energy has become so common a notion?

How did we get to the place where the notion of residual energy is so commonplace? Why has energy taken on such a distinctive role, not just in hauntings but in healing, and our understanding of reality? I think of Reiki as just one example amongst many. While what follows does not explicitly address the notion of residual energy/haunts, it does attempt to explain the transition from energy to Energy, as the Ultimate reality. We have moved from a God-centered worldview to an Energy-centric/occult worldview, and this has given rise to such notions as residual energy.

Dr Peter Jones, author of The Other Worldview, has shown how the New Age/Pagan Worldview has displaced the biblical worldview as the dominant worldview. In the mid- 60s it came into USA, and it’s no coincidence that the ascendancy of the Energy centric worldview coincides with the popularity of residual energy.

"Sending prayers and positive energy"...gosh, how many times have I heard, or read on Facebook, a comment similar to that? How many times have you? The sending of positive energy has equaled, and in many cases, eclipsed the pledge of praying to the Living God from a friend to someone experiencing a trauma. Clearly, energy has undergone a radical evolution recently; it has taken on such a profound and practical significance for countless numbers of people. Nothing reveals more about a person's real, basic spiritual convictions than how they pray. For many, energy has become THE central organizing principle in their worldviews. I remember in seminary, a professor said that how a person prayed spoke volumes about what their true theological beliefs were. Hence, when the prayer of professing Christians includes pledges of sending positive energy, then we know this energy belief has deeply infiltrated the Christian community. Just 15 years ago...did you hear or say that positive energy was being sent on behalf of a beloved? I seriously doubt it. Therefore, it is incumbent for Christians that we understand this issue and sift it through a biblical worldview grid...pulling down strongholds and arguments... that are raised against the knowledge of God (2 Cor.10:5). Otherwise, like the ancient Israelites, we shall fall into an unthinking syncretism; the blending of the truth with falsehood—and incur God’s discipline.

Ultimate Reality, according to God’s Word, is the tri-personal, Living God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in loving, joyous communication for backwards eternity to eternity future. Nothing/ No-one is “further back” or more basic. He existed eternally before He created energy and the universe. However, today, many people seem to assume that Energy/Universe is Ultimate reality, but that is an occultic, demonic deception. But it does explain why the notion of residual energy has taken hold so quickly in our culture which has largely jettisoned the biblical God from its thinking. We have rejected the Living God and exchanged it for the lie, worshipping nature—and energy in particular. (Romans 1:25) An idol doesn’t have to be a figurine (it can be mental instead of metal) because, by definition, and idol is whatever is uppermost in our affections or considered to be the ground of our being.

Those who research and investigate the supernatural realm-from quantum jumping to spirit hunting-are increasingly seeing ultimate reality in terms of energy.

Energy vibrations of the cosmos or cosmic consciousness. Energy has become not only personified but deified as well. This impersonal stuff that we call energy has now become our new god...our new reference point for defining the cosmos, mankind, and our relationship to the cosmos.

In the beginning God created (bara-act of personal creating) has been replaced by...  In the beginning, Energy has always been there and is evolving....It has become commonplace to believe that we are currently experiencing a quantum leap into a higher form of consciousness or energy, and it is often stated that we are spirit energy in a body, and NOT vice versa. Raise your vibration levels and you’ll experience wholeness with the Universe. Instead of personal holiness before a holy God, we now seek personal wholeness by enhancing our energy vibrations. This pagan worldview has altered our view of God, reality, sanctification and countless other vital aspects of our worldview.

As I alluded to, this is no mere dry as dust academic theory, because it has become a paradigm or worldview shift in how one understands who they are, and how to become better at living and being human. Watch the plethora of energy healers attempting to adjust folk's vibrational levels to harmonize with the vibrations of primal Energy and the Universe. And what must be noted with tears, is that often these energy therapies seem to work in terms of affecting vibrational change and healing. May I suggest, though, that we are playing god in this respect, and are opening ourselves to deep demonic intervention. They (demons) are clever, and all it takes is openness to this Energy to potentially begin the oppression process. Usually, at some opportune time, the demonic will find some imaginative way to gain permission for entry. We should have known better than to reject God and begin to call energy ultimate reality/god--Energy. Romans 1:18f speaks of the endarkenment, instead of the desired enlightenment, which comes when we deify, make ultimate, or worship, any aspect of the Creator's creation-including one of His greatest creations, which is energy. We have rejected the Living God and exchanged it for the lie. (Romans 1:25) The essence of paganism is the denial of the Creator/creature distinction, and that incenses God. He hates it and we should hate what He hates—the idea, not the people who embrace it.

It is not being intellectually consistent or honest to spell energy as Energy, because the bottom line is that this notion (energy is ultimate reality) implies that there was an impersonal beginning, and by adding upper-case you have magically imported personality-creating it out of thin air. The only reason why we sense or detect personality with the energy entities is because they ARE personal beings-demons. Like humans, demons and Satan have a will, intelligence, and emotions. We have not dealt with ghosts per se, in this book, but the concept of ultimate reality as energy often accompanies the belief in ghosts. It is this occult worldview change which gave rise to its enormous popularity.

There is a flow to human history and we have seen how our culture has arrived at this juncture where energy plays such a vital role in defining reality. Be wary of any talk of tapping into primal Energy or cosmic consciousness. In our weakness, let us cling to the God who was manifested through the burning bush-the infinite-personal God of the bible who has inexhaustible, omnipotent energy and power. Yahweh.     

Next week—Residualo Energy & Haunts - Part 3

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

St. Patrick & the Racism/Segregation--Pagan/Spiritism Parallel

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

³² Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. (1 Chronicles 12:32, emphasis added)

 ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ⁶ being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

Like the men of Issachar, we need to understand OUR times so that we might know what we ought to do; but we have blind spots. Let me explain.

Segregation is to Racism as Spirit Communication is to Paganism. Huh?

We are approaching St Patrick’s Day, and I think it is appropriate that we address this issue in that light. While a slave, he learned Irish, and was effective in helping to bring Christ to a nation in bondage to paganism and occult practices.

Every generation of Christian’s (contrary to Issachar) seems to have a glaring blind spot/s; so glaring that one wonders how an entire generation/s overlooked it. My parents generation is known as the “Greatest Generation’, and for good reason—living though the Depression and fighting in WW II, ECT.  However, my parent’s generation of Christians, and many generations before them, was either racist themselves or didn’t speak out against it (many exceptions, including my parents). It was a terrible black eye on the church. It was this type of ‘plasticity’ or hypocrisy that fueled the hippie generations rebellion. The 50’s caused the 60’s; there is a flow to human and cultural history.

Indeed, not a few pastors/theologians tried to support racism, or segregation, from the bible. The same had been done with slavery before that. It is hard to step out of one’s historical situation, unless you are saturated with a biblical worldview. But given scriptures clarity, there was no excuse for their attitudes or actions regarding race.

Racism led to the practice of segregation.  It is important to see what is cause and what is effect; sinful racism of the heart led to sinful practices of segregation, which were exceedingly degrading to black people’s dignity.

We would never do that!  Or have we….?

I fondly remember my dad being probably the only business owner in Moore County in NC who did NOT have segregated bathrooms/water fountains in the 50’s, and who hired a black man as an equal.

Shortly after I was converted when I was 17, I was turned on to Francis Schaeffer, and he pointed out this racist blind spot and subsequent black-eye for the church. Forty-five years later, I vividly remember the prayer I prayed then, and continued to pray through the years: “Lord, please show me how MY generation is blind; how am I blind.” Ten years ago, I believe the Lord answered my prayer.

I saw the effect first, before I saw the cause.  The popularity of ghost hunting/spirit communication (effect) led me to see the larger issue of the dominance of the pagan worldview (cause). Just as racism led to segregationist policies, so the ascendency of the pagan worldview has led to communication with the spirit realm and this amongst many Christians. Yes, we are blind.

Ideas/beliefs and worldviews inevitably express themselves in actions. As Dr. Peter Jones points out in “The Other Worldview”, and other books, secularism/materialism, etc, has been replaced by the pagan/neo-Gnostic/occult/New Age as the main worldview enemy of the Truth. But most Christian leaders are still battling against tired, worn out, dying foes, or at least neglecting the primary enemy.

Paganism is to spirit communication (EVP’s, mediums/psychics, energy healers, etc.), as racism was to segregation. Just as racism was the cause behind segregationist practices, so the occult worldview is fueling this mushrooming craze for spirit communication, in all its various forms. That parallel is meant to be shocking, because the reality is shocking. I am NOT saying that Christians, or anyone, who engages in spirit communication is racist—that totally misses the point of the analogy.

But most Christians today (there are many exceptions) are blind to this undeniable fact, or are being silent about it, because they don’t want their pursuit of personal peace and affluence to be disrupted. How selfish we are. How awfully selfish, and our children/grandchildren will scream as they face difficult days ahead:”Why…why didn’t they do something, while they still could?” Indeed, why not? 

It is one of the blind spots of the church today: both the worldview of paganism, and the practice of spirit communication (via EVP's, mediums, psychics, meditation, Reiki, yoga, etc) The blindness is mostly due to a culpable ignorance of Christians in general, and pastors in particular-a vincible ignorance; an ignorance that should have been resisted and overcome. Walk down the aisle of any bookstore or toy store, watch the news, see TV programming, and movies, and you will be surrounded by paganism and spiritism, in countless variety.

Having been a pastor myself for fifteen years, I have a profound respect for clergy. However, it is the responsibility of all Christians, but especially preachers, to be in-tune with OUR generation (like men of Issachar) and to apply the timeless truth of God’s Word to changing culture. However, when was the last time your pastor preached on: understanding a pagan worldview, or the bible’s view of ghosts, mediums/psychics, energy healing, and the like? (Many in their congregations are either curious or confused.) Just as there was a dearth of biblical preaching on racism and segregation in the past, there is a similar lack of preaching on the pagan worldview and spirit communication today. We are always the last ones to see our own blind-spots.

I am using the racist/segregation analogy for its shock value intentionally; to shock Christians, and especially Christian leaders, awake to the fact that we are being just as blind to paganism/spirit communication as our ancestors were to racism/segregation. Just as there was no excuse for their silence regarding beliefs and practices about race, so we, too, have no excuse for staying silent.

I am still in the process of sending out the ‘Open Letter to Christian Paranormal Investigators,’ and as we state in the preface, it is sent with the same spirit and intent of MLK’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” What prompted me to write that letter was the answered prayer of 45 years ago, which has haunted me all these years: “Lord, where are WE blind? Where am I blind?”

In my hometown of Greensboro, NC is where the international sit-in movement got its genesis; four courageous, black Christian men sat at the Woolworth's counter and waited for food. The actions of four college students grew into an international civil rights sit-in movement. They were real change agents. We still have a way to go regarding race, but substantial change has occurred. And it’s my prayer that God would use our humble ‘open letter’ to start a similar awareness and action with regards to paganism and the practice of speaking to the spirit realm, before it’s too late.

Certainly, there are other issues like abortion, but when will Christians see that we, too, have a glaring blind-spot? None of us are above being deceived or blind; like fish accustomed to the water, we have become so accustomed to our generational mindset, that we don’t have the eyes to see the evil and error that has crept in and become ensconced in our culture.

Sadly, in each generation, the very folks who should be quick to see the blind spots are themselves the last ones to see it. Often the secular media picks up on it, and then Christians follow suit. (I doubt that the secular media will ever criticize paganism though). That is wrong, because we should be leading the charge, as salt and light! (See Matthew 5; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10)

Looking back now, would you have marched with MLK if he came to your hometown, or would you have sneered, or just as bad, said: “I am personally opposed to racism and segregation, but I don’t want to rock the boat?” The unabashed pursuit of personal peace and affluence was/is another blind spot, and has always caused a lack of concern for significant issues. “Just leave me alone to enjoy my life on my terms.”  Selfish and dishonoring to God.

Would you have said:”Okay, Dr. King, you made your point—why do you have to keep harping on it?” And the answer is: he HAD to keep harping on it because few others were. Same holds true today.

I know that most Christians, who are engaged in spiritistic practices, detest racism and segregation. But my question to them, and everyone, is:  in light of scripture’s clarity, why can you not see OUR glaring blind spot? It is all around us and is opening demonic doors in ways unprecedented in human history.

We cannot scratch our collective heads as to how almost the entire ‘greatest generation’ could have been so blind as to what was happening all around them, every day, when we are just as blind regarding the rampant spiritual adultery that has invaded the church. In both cases, the band played on, until enough people spoke up that it began to have an impact.

We are called in 2 Cor. 10 to “tear down strongholds of evil and error…” (Paraphrase) In the ‘Open Letter to Christian Paranormal Investigators’, and in this blog, my intent is to do precisely that.  Note the last verse, in which Paul says he is ready to punish all disobedience. In today’s context what that would look like is this. If I was still a pastor and one of my members was communicating with the spirit realm, they would be privately talked to by the pastor (me); if they resisted then they would be brought before the elders,; and if they continued to resist, then, with tears, would be excommunicated, with the hopes that they would awaken, repent and be restored to fellowship. The purity of the Bride of Christ is at stake.

In closing, I know that spirit communication (in its countless forms of expression) is not as outwardly rampant as segregation was at one point--not yet, anyway. In light of St Patrick’s Day, it is appropriate to mention that IF we do not change, then the USA/Europe will likely become similar to pre-St Patrick Ireland—full of spiritual darkness and Druidic occultism. In the 4^th century the church had to fight valiantly against Gnosticism, and now neo-Gnosticism has reappeared 1,500 years later, with Satan much better informed and filled with a furious zeal to destroy the church.

Segregation is to Racism as Spirit Communication is to Paganism.  We need to address the cause as well as the effect, and ‘pull them down’ through the omnipotent Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Essential Oils & Raindrop Therapy, Demonic Doorways, Part 1

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This two-part post is designed to help bring awareness to many people regarding falseness that many professed Christians are practicing. Many Christians are engaged in many forms NEW AGE PAGAN and Witchcraft practices. Sadly, along the way with the Demonic forces pulling those strings to get these people deeper into trouble with God!

So let's examine this false forms of ‘healing’ which is called Essential Oils. What many of you don't know about this subject is that it has roots which go way back into ancient ways - ancient Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Indian and Roman Civilizations.  Have you done the research as to where this stems from or did you just once again follow the doctrines of man which make this not fine with God?

Now I know this might upset many but I am here to tell you the truth. So let's examine this Essential Oil aspect. Now medicines were prepared in temples and there was a Greek temple of aromatherapy. Aromatic substances were burnt to ‘appease the gods’ and to channel ‘divine knowledge’.

  

The Greeks ascribed divine origins to aromatic plants.  Did you know the word perfume is derived from the Latin ‘per’ (through) and ‘fumus’ (smoke)?  Breathing in wood and resin aromas was believed to drive out demons!  Hippocrates (460-370 BC) recommended aromatic baths to prolong life and Pliny recorded therapeutic aromatic oil massages. In the Middle Ages, incense and aromas were used during differing rituals, as perfumes and disinfectants, especially during plagues.

In relating to the biblical times, frankincense, spikenard and myrrh were used for anointing, incense and other religious rituals. However, this is far from the current ‘holistic aromatherapy’ which is taking place with Christian people. The Good Samaritan's oil was more likely to have been olive oil than an aromatic preparation.

Essential oils are highly concentrated substances (such as clove and bergamot) extracted by expression, absorption or distillation from plants and trees. They are labelled essential as they are considered to have a particular, essential relationship with their parent plant. Implications that they are essential for good health which are unjustified. Prominent aroma therapists, however, believe that they contain an essential vital force, life energy or universal cosmic energy, which have New Age, Eastern religious and cultural associations all over this. Does this sound ANYTHING that Christians professed in Christ Jesus are to even go near?

Remember this people - “You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.” Leviticus 18:22

In Practical Aromatherapy, 'Essential oils are so complex and magical that no one knows what they are - sound proper for a Christian to do? Romantics and enthusiasts say they are the life force of the plants similar to the human spirit - sounds very improper to me and is PAGAN. Researchers say they are mixtures of organic compounds such as ketones, terpenes, esters, alcohols, aldehydes and other molecules too small and complex to classify under a ‘microscope'.

Claims are that these benefits depend upon balancing the bodies' vital energy, cosmic energy or life force.  That is a HINDU and Eastern Medicine practice. It is stated: 'Essential oils can be used to balance the energy flows of the body in a similar way to acupuncture'.  Aromatherapy was based on the same principles as acupuncture (which is an Eastern Medicine and opens you up to Demonic forces), herbal medicine and homeopathy - the balancing of life force or ch'i (yin and yang).  So Christians are to blend this ch'i with Christ Jesus and that doesn't sound proper. Aromatic oils were yin or yang in effect with astrological associations influenced by their ruling planets. Still think this is something professed Christians should touch and get involved with?

Here is what you probably did not know - The Essential Oil was created with D. Gary Young, a naturopath physician in the 1980's who worked with a LAKOTAH MEDICINE MAN named Wallace Black Elk. The technique called Raindrop Therapy which incorporates certain Native American concepts including a 'special form' of massage called 'feather stroking'.  People this act conjures demons along with a procedure called Vitaflex. This was adapted from ancient oriental which addresses the 'energy flows' within the body. Once again does this sound anything proper that a professed Christian should be doing?

Raindrop Therapy is 'based upon' a theory that the spinal problems as well as many chronic illnesses and discomforts are caused by various viruses and bacteria which lie dormant upon the spine. Now this therapy uses 'specific techniques', 'energy work’ - code for REIKI which is DEMONIC and 'aromatherapy'. In addition, the therapy uses a 'sequence' of these oils - designed by a Medicine Man - a Native American Witch Doctor. These oils are dropped onto the spine from 6 inches above one at a time and worked in with hot towels to help penetrate and relax. People understand this sickness and infirmities come from SIN within one’s LIFE that is why this occurs!! In other words if you get right with God and you probably won't be sick anymore!

So my question is this - Should a Christian use oils designed by a Native American Medicine Man upon their bodies? Does this sound even remotely proper? One is going to put oils formulated by a MEDICINE MAN of Native American culture whose own roots go back to cursing this land and bloodshed? People there are lots and lots of Demons which are behind this!!!

People I cannot even tell you how many cases I have had to work which people had Demonic curses from Native American aspects in which many Demons were engaged and cast out to set these people free!

D. Gary Young of Essential Living oils and some of these other ‘oil’ companies market their oils under Christina banners, but this is plain old witchcraft. It is deceiving too, because Young Living has a DVD that they sell called, “Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture” in which you can purchase along with a kit of those twelve oils (for about three hundred dollars). They are acting like the fact that Christ Jesus was given Frankincense and Myrrh means that all of their practices are fully Biblical, however these practices aren’t biblical.

Here's why.  I will prove it. D. Gary Young is the founder of Young Living oils and he is a “professing” Christian. You can find him discussing the twelve oils of Ancient Scripture if you search hard enough.  In this article, D. Gary Young talks about the ‘Third Eye’ being opened by the use of essential oils. This is not a Christian belief. It isn’t even a scientific belief. It is only a pagan belief under Witchcraft and Hindu aspects with CHAKRA's!

People I have had to deal with many demonic cases of closing the ‘Third Eye’ with people who have done YOGA and other spiritual healing avenues instead of going to the Lord God Almighty in repentance and prayer. This is just another way for Satan to deceive you.

In part two we shall cover even more!

Rev. Bradley Luoma

Insiders Testimony to the Dangers of Interacting with the Paranormal, Part 2 [The Cure]

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Continued from Long Term Effects of Investigating the Paranormal

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)

~ THE PARANORMAL & SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES - the correlation! A mere interest in the paranormal can cause health issues for you & your family and invite spirits to your home. My video review of ‘Spiritualism – A Warning,’ a great wee booklet by Ian Meredith.

~ My review also contains my own insights of health risks....that New Agers & literature by Mediums down the ages warned me of, when I was a Spiritualist. (emphasis added)

~ Please see related article by my dear friend Mark Hunnemann on my blog! https://yourspiritualquest.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/paranormal-interests-cause-heart-problems-and-more

...you shall know the truth & the truth shall set you free!”  ex-Spiritualist, Laura Maxwell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm8LcWs_edE  Laura Maxwell’s review of Ian Meredith’s booklet… on the experience and warnings from numerous mediums on the risks of Spiritualism causing serious health problems….and by extension, the paranormal.

My blog last week obviously hit a nerve. Last count about 1,500 hits. But I don’t care about stats…I don’t care about scoring debating points—this is an intensely personal issue for many people because it concerns your physical/emotional/spiritual well-being. Whatever our disagreements, I care deeply for the folks who are suffering due to their involvement with the paranormal.

Last time I quoted from paranormal researcher Timothy Yohe. It was refreshing to hear an ‘insider’ write so candidly regarding a topic that has been mostly swept under the rug by the paranormal community.

To recap, he warned of how investigating the spirit realm is causing serious health problems for many. He also spoke of how the demonic is behind this growing problem. One thing I didn’t mention was that he also stated that, due to cultural/moral decline, the veil is thinning. I agree. Overt demonic activity is at unprecedented levels in our country. Satan and his demons can appear as ANYTHING, and they can also make a house feel peaceful. They can lay low or appear as innocuous entities, but their very presence acts like poison or spiritual radioactivity…ravaging every aspect of one’s person…including causing organ failure. (see angel of Light above)

This time I want to move from the problem to the solution.

My dear friend Laura Maxwell from Scotland (quoted above), was deeply into Spiritualism for many years, along with her mother. They thoroughly immersed themselves into learning all they could about interacting with the spirit realm. For several years Laura had nightly visits from her deceased sister….or so she thought. (please read her excellent book, “A Spiritual Quest”)

 However, they were warned by their spiritualist mentors that it was common for mediums and psychics to develop serious illnesses, and die early….see comments above. In the video above she gives examples.

Neither Laura nor I doubt the sincerity of many of these mediums/investigators, and many truly are seeing real entities. But the issue is: what is the true identity of these entities? When Laura and her mom began to question the truth of spiritualism, their trusted spirit guides turned on them. And her alleged sister, morphed into a hideous demon. Laura tragically lost her mom to suicide, so the mental aspect of oppression is  tragically very real too. She was so oppressed she was utterly broken down. Laura has had more real, extraordinary experience with spirits than most reading this, and she knows that Jesus is the only cure. She is another ‘insider’ (or she was earlier in life)who can attest to how widespread this epidemic has become…of people becoming sick. She was taught that by the mediums themselves…and these warnings go back many years! Surely, that fact is significant.

When I have gone into an infested house I KNOW the family is in shambles before I even get there. Why? Because as the bible says, the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking folks to devour..in every way imaginable, including their health.

If you have a truly haunted house, then it is demonically infested. Ghosts are really demons. There is a test to prove this—in the name of Jesus, verbally compel every spirit you think is a ghost, to reveal their true identity. Actually, I would recommend a pastor or someone with strong faith to do this.

If a doctor accurately diagnoses an illness, and its cause, it’s all for naught unless the proper treatment is given. Likewise, accurately diagnosing the physical dangers involved with interacting with the spirit realm is a good start. But the correct treatment is necessary. Since the spirit realm is involved, and since unclean spirits (demons) are the cause of the organ failures, then the ‘cure’ must be spiritual as well. If you get anything out of this blog, the last sentence is the crux of the matter.

It is not an either/or though. If you have developed heart problems since becoming involved, then you need to see a cardiologist. However, as some of you can attest, the doctors often cannot pinpoint WHY you developed the problem/s. And sometimes they are at a loss as to how to help…it is truly a mystery diagnosis.

If the doctor is unable to help you, then there is the very real possibility of demonic attachment….it takes a trained minister/priest or deliverance minister to rid you of the underlying cause. Even IF the doctor helps you, then you still have the attachment problem. If not dealt with, then the symptoms are likely to come back with a vengeance because you haven’t dealt with the underlying cause as to why/how you developed heart issues in the first place (or whatever health problem).

We noted last time that Jesus encountered many people who had serious health issues due to demonic oppression. Jesus healed them by saving them (save, ‘sozo’ in Greek, can mean deliverance from a clear and present danger, physical or spiritual…or both)

In other words, those of you who are suffering, or know someone who is, due to involvement/fascination with the paranormal, don’t need mere discussion…though that is a necessary start. You need healing.

I’ll say it again: if a person is suffering due to spiritual reasons, then common-sense says that they need a spiritual healing. In the dozens of cleansings I have done, there were usually some physical problems directly caused by long-term exposure to spirits who are pure evil…demons. However, once the house/property was cleansed, the spiritually caused physical problems were cured—sometimes immediately and other times the problem faded away.

Sage/smudging is useless long-term, as are shamanic incantations, as they are occultic and offensive to Jesus, who is the King of Kings and the Divine Physician. I don’t mean to offend anyone, but if you are conversant with God’s Word, then you will know that the Living God is a God of holy jealousy. He will not share His glory with any false gods. Attempting to be healed of liver cancer through energy healing (e.g. Reiki), may work short term, but you are using demonic energy to heal a disease that may have been caused by demons. The Holy Spirit, not unholy spirits, will bring lasting, comprehensive healing.

If you are suffering from long term exposure to the demonic via the paranormal, then please contact me (or someone you know who is a Christian demonologist) and I’ll do my best to find a competent and compassionate person who can help you. Think about it….

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

A Plethora of Paranormal Phenomena—a Unified Theory?

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Psychic Phenomena, or Psi, are events that cannot be explained by conventional scientific observation. These are the phenomena that parapsychologists study, and others as well. Extrasensory perception (ESP) and Psychokinesis (PK) are primary, but there are others. Many, many others! My goal in this blog is two-fold: to give a representative list of the vast variety of Psi, and to ask which explanation best explains this wild diversity of phenomena.

While listening to a recent interview of Tricia Robertson with host Kev Baker, she asked the question: what happens after we die? She then stated that there was “evidence beyond a reasonable doubt” that we live on after death, and that there is this same level of evidence of for many Psi. It was a fascinating discussion, and Dr Robertson is brilliant. She knows we cannot ‘prove’ much paranormal activity by reproducing it in the lab. So, I found her “beyond reasonable doubt” very helpful and instructive.

My question is this: having found evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt” that paranormal phenomena does in fact occur, does that explain the CAUSE behind the paranormal activity? They are two, distinct issues! Some otherwise very intelligent people seem to forget this distinction. Establishing the factualness of a phenomenon does not necessarily explain its origin, identity, or purpose….and to confuse the two is a logical fallacy. Psi are not self-referential nor self-defining. Remember we are dealing with the supernatural realm, and not the natural realm.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself. What I DO (and many others) have in common with those in the paranormal community is a ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ knowledge that a long litany of paranormal phenomena truly do occur….and seemingly with increasing frequency. That is a strong point of contact for fruitful discussion, is it not? We need to recognize this common ground and use it to engender useful discussions.

While not an exhaustive list, here are some of the phenomena. I listed some of them in a recent blog entitled the “Creeping Darkness.” For sake of time, I will simply mention them without explanation or comment: telekinesis, psychokinesis, ESP, the appearance of dark clouds in a room, dark shadows—sometimes humanoid shaped, floating faces, poltergeists, drop-in communicators (T Roberston’s term for entities communicating out of the blue, unknown to any present but later confirmed), psychic surgery (invasive and non-invasive), energy healing of all kinds (e.g. Reiki), psychic art—some with ‘precipitated art’ (Bank Sisters), automatic writing, mediums, psychics, EVP’s, energy shapes or orbs,  apparitions of various shapes and solidity, indoor rain, bee-sting sensation, cob-web effect, breezes, cold-spots, black-eyes kids, Aliens/abduction, cryptozoology, doppelgangers, quantum jumping, light bulb effect, sleep paralysis, vivid dreams/nightmares, ‘prophetic dreams’, ghost pets, alleged appearance of deceased loved ones, bangs, footsteps, smells, conversations, whistling, possession, spoon bending parties (at Rhine Inst.), wraiths,demons or ‘negative/hostile entities, elementals, fairies, leprechauns, etc. And we must not forget the very real effects/affects (emotional, intellectual, physical, relational, and spiritual) that these paranormal phenomena have on people…the effects are as long as the causes list above! Scratches, bites, burns, ect. And then there are the four alleged types of hauntings: intelligent deceased human, non-intelligent or residual, poltergeist, and demonic. Some affirm other types of haunts (e.g. multi-dimensional beings, or aliens).

When Kev Baker, from Scotland, interviewed T. Robertson (parapsychologist), she stated that, “It is a good thing I have no religious background.” As to establishing the facticity of paranormal phenomena—which she strongly affirms—her religious beliefs are not that important since she adheres strictly to being rigorously honest in her observations of the phenomena. Analogously, one can be the world’s leading astronomer without any religious faith, if they are rigorously honest in reporting and analyzing the data (though lack of faith inevitably effects how one views the phenomena). I admire Dr. Robertson’s encyclopedic knowledge of the wide variety of Psi. Again, a common ground is afforded people of different faiths (who know paranormal activity occurs) and folks in the paranormal community who tend to focus on the scientific method…or at least the collection of verifiable evidence, as Dr Robertson prefers to call it.

However, when it comes to the cause/origin/purpose of paranormal activity, I must insist on the myth of so-called neutrality—her lack of religious belief DOES seriously diminish Robertson’s ‘objectivity’. In fact, total objectivity is unattainable, nor even desirable. Robertson, as brilliant as she is, must remember that Proverbs 1:7 applies to everyone. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom/knowledge.” If God created the spirit realm, then I humbly suggest that we need His perspective, or we will not be able to answer the second part of my question (origin/identity/purpose).
The issue of presuppositions is so crucial, but I need to move on.

In Kev Baker’s interview, the principle of Occam's Razor was put forth as being very important when dealing with the multiplicity of paranormal phenomena, and the differing explanations. Occam's Razor goes like this: when you have multiple possible explanations for the same phenomena, the simplest explanation tends to be the right one.

Earlier, I had mentioned the distinction between establishing the factualness of the plethora of paranormal, and the IDENTITY/ORIGIN/PURPOSE of each of these paranormal phenomena. I trust that makes sense. For example, it is one thing to establish that shadow figures are facts, and asking the question: what ARE they?

If you take that long litany of paranormal phenomena listed above, people in the paranormal community have a wide range of opinions on their origin, identity, and purpose. For example, Dr. Robertson asserts that some poltergeist activity is due to deceased humans trying to communicate with loved ones, but other poltergeist activity is traced to interior, living human, psychic forces, often connected to an adolescent. That introduces some measure of complexity regarding the origin and identity of poltergeist activity. Frankly, how does one (in a scientific manner) determine which one it is? The point I wish to stress is that poltergeists are just one of a growing number of Psi that have a complexity surrounding them in the paranormal community. ‘Interior psychic forces’ is easy to say over and over, but not as easily explained in scientific manner.

Let’s look at the commonly held view that there are basically four different kinds of hauntings: intelligent human, non-intelligent/residual, poltergeist, and demonic. I have spent the last seven years analyzing each of these alleged forms of haunts….much in my book—Seeing Ghosts through God’s Eyes.

According to many in the paranormal community, residual haunts are a very common form of haunting, if not the most common. That fact itself, should make it incumbent upon us to do as Socrates said…to lead an examined life! I am NOT a scientist, but I did some basic, common-sense analysis of the notion of an energy-entrapment leading to cyclic ‘re-enactments.’ I wrote three or four lengthy blogs on the subject—challenging it on the grounds that it contradicted the second and third laws of thermodynamics….which introduces incredible complexity (or lack of simplicity) To date, I don’t know of a single sustained reply—I may be wrong, but I’m unaware of any. I’m not patting myself on the back, but I am humbly trying to help folks see where Occam’s Razor would lead us. The simplest answer tends to be the correct one.

What I have discovered is that many of the paranormal phenomenon mentioned above usually involve an incredible array of varying possible origins or identities…not to mention the purpose behind it. Elementals originate in one way, poltergeists another way, residual haunts in yet another, ect, ect. The mechanism allegedly changes from one phenomenon to the next. That is NOT simplicity regarding explaining the phenomena!

2 Corinthians 11:14—the angel of light principle-- is a simple, but not simplistic, means of explaining all true paranormal phenomena (except miracles and that which is angelic, and they don’t play games). Satan and his minions are at war with us, and they will use their very considerable intellects, power, and imagination to lob as many ‘grenades’ at us as possible. Every paranormal phenomenon that I listed above—from automatic writing to a zoo-ful of demonic animals—is easily explainable via the agency of Satan/demons, especially since we are near to Jesus’s return.

Appearance= reality may work in the natural realm, but not in supernatural realm. I am glad that I have ‘religion” (Jesus and bible) because we are given information from the Creator of heaven and earth, and ALL that is in it….which we cannot acquire on our own.

Back to Ockam’s Razor: which explains all the paranormal phenomena in the simplest fashion? One agent/cause….one identity behind all paranormal phenomena, with one consistent purpose (deceiving and destroying us), OR a view that has numerous explanations/mechanisms for every phenomenon? If Christianity is true, then what we are experiencing is exactly what we would expect….increased activity. Otherwise it is just a guessing game as to identity….nothing in science can block or take into account the angel of light principle.

Some folks think more visually…see if this helps.
I-o---o-------------o--------o--------------------o--------ooo-I-ooo------o--------o--------o----------------oooI

Creation/fall                                                        Cross                                                    Second Coming
In the flow of human history, there is a continuity of paranormal/demonic activity with humans—which began at the Fall,  increases at first/second comings of Christ, due to Satan’s frustrated anger. This visualizes that, amidst all the vast diversity of paranormal activity, there is a unity of origin, purpose, and identity. Simple, but not simplistic, diagram of the unity amidst all the incredible diversity of quantity and nature of demonic activity. All the Psi is accounted for in the entire flow of human history. (each ‘o’ on the scale represents some Psi activity) Obviously, the diagram is not to scale, but it shows the linear movement of history, and the Psi involved in its flow.

On the other hand, without a biblical view of history and demonic activity, there is nothing but chaos when trying to bring order out of the vast diversity of Psi throughout human history.
         ….o                                                                                 o
o
                                    o
                                                                                                                       ooo

The second diagram is meant to show chaos….much diversity, but no unifying ‘force’ to show how  they are connected in any meaningful, consistent fashion.

Without the God of the bible, history has no meaningful beginning, and no meaningful end…..all the Psi is dis-connected….no way to bring unity to all the diversity of paranormal activity. The true origin, nature, identity, and purpose of entities/activity must remain a mystery. One can only fixate on single datum and try to explain it by appearance.

An analogy is the continuing search of physicists for a unified theory that would explain all the forces at work in the cosmos…underlying this search is an awareness of a profound unity amidst the staggering diversity.

In physics, a unified field theory (UFT), occasionally referred to as a uniform field theory,[1] is a type of field theory that allows all that is usually thought of as fundamental forces and elementary particles to be written in terms of a single field. (Wikpedia)

Similarly,  the teaching of the bible in general, and especially the Creation/Fall/Redemption meta-narrative, provides from Genesis to Revelation, a profound unity amidst the staggering diversity of details revealed in the bible—including the beginning of paranormal activity, it’s purpose, and their identity.  The line above represents all of paranormal/demonic activity within the flow of human history, over which the Living God is absolutely sovereign. I have not included the miracles of God, nor angelic activity, in this discussion. Hence, the biblical model provides us with a ‘unified field theory’ which brings unity to all the vast diversity of paranormal activity, from the ancient past up until today. It not only acknowledges the vast variety of paranormal activity, but insists that all of it ultimately emanates from the same source…providing us with the source, purpose, identity of all Psi.
While non-biblical theories can ascertain the reality of paranormal activity (by borrowing from selected aspects of a biblical worldview….e.g. the foundation for the scientific method), it takes a staggering and confusing multiplicity of different explanations/methodologies in their attempt to explain the identity, origin, and purpose of many of these different phenomena. In other words, the non-biblical methods of attempting to explain paranormal phenomena is becoming increasingly complex, and often at odds with accepted scientific laws….while the biblical view has a beauty of simplicity. Occam’s Razor most certainly confirms the bible as the simplest, and most comprehensive, explanation of the multiplicity of paranormal phenomena, without resorting to reductionism.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Tragic Paranormal TV Follies

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Recently a fine blog was written regarding the dangers of indiscriminate watching of paranormal television programs. I want to piggyback on that and point out a couple things I noticed recently that took paranormal folly to new and more dangerous depths. I don't say these things out of ridicule, but out of sincere concern for all involved in this thing we call "paranormal" (or I prefer supernatural).

I watch a lot of paranormal programs, but I do so to assist me in my calling to educate people regarding the spread of supernatural evil and how to avoid it.And I pray before and during each program for protection.

When critiquing people we need to stop and ask: am I loving this person as Christ would? With that in mind, my first concern is what Zak Bagans said in the most recent "Aftershock" program, where he interviews people from past investigations to see how they are doing. I think that is a noble and good thing for him to do.

During this episode Bagans interviewed an investigator whom they were convinced became temporarily possessed during an investigation. Footage was shown of him in this altered state and it appeared that something was wrong with this man.However, my focus is not on whether he was actually possessed but on what Mr Bagans said regarding it.

After the investigator stated that he did not suffer after the possession, Bagans stated that it appeared that some possessions may be therapeutic. How so? Since spirits are made of energy, then misfiring neurons in the brain may be "re-aligned" during the energy transfer of a possession. Hence, it may correct chronic problems for some people. 

Something along those lines....

Granted, Mr Bagans did not seem to be dogmatic on this point but he was strongly suggesting the possibility. I say this humbly but that is foolish in the extreme to postulate that being possessed might actually be a good thing for some people. We all have heard of instances of demonic "healing"--whether through Reiki or whatever--but it always comes with a high price tag. Is it woth it to have one's body healed temporarily but then be damned to hell?

However I do want to point out that Zak Bagans does seem to follow his unbiblical presuppositions to their logical conclusion, which is absurdity and foolishness.

Secondly, I have been watching for the first time episodes from "Ghost Asylum", with the guys from Tennessee Wraith Chasers. Again, I have to humble myself before the Lord before commenting because walking with the Lord is moment by moment and I want to reflect the heart of Christ.

In one sense this show is just like all the others, with all the attendant dangers. However, there is an additional or new folly that they have introduced...at least it is new to me. Their stated mission is to not only investigate places and free spirits but to be the first team to CATCH a spirit--be it a ghost or demon. In one episode they were convinced the spirit was demonic (got that right anyway) but they were determined as ever to snare it in one of their contraptions. I ask you: how wise is it to attempt capturing a demon? We know that all the spirits present are demons, but even with their faulty beliefs, they still do not hesitate to try to imprison what they know to be a diabolical spirit. The devices they create each show are usually made of some kind of vacuuming mechanism along with some material like quartz to entrap the spirit.

This is not funny. It would make us weep, for them and the whole paranormal community. I have no idea how worse this makes the situation, but I have to believe that attempting to entrap a demon is going to open the floodgates even further. The more energy is put into communicating or interacting with the spirit realm, then the worse the consequences. There is no way in the world that a man-made machine will entrap a demon, UNLESS it allows itself to get "trapped" (to encourage more people to do the same perhaps). If/when that happens, God help them.


I am not surprised at this because of the law of diminishing returns. This introduces a whole new and exciting adventure and entertainment......with more people being drawn into the paranormal craze. But the Lord tells us that the wisdom of man is foolishness. These are two sad examples of the inevitable foolishness that comes from disregarding the holy law of God, which is intended to protect us. May the Lord have mercy. Amen.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Musings on Energy ... Reiki

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Before I plunge in, it is vital that we see that there have been two major shifts in our lifetime, which have made the rise of Reiki, spiritism, and a long litany of other bizarre beliefs and techniques possible. It is at the presuppositional/worldview level that we must start or we will miss the forest for the trees. There has been a fundamental shift in epistemology (how we gain knowledge), and specifically in the nature of truth. Truth comes to us either via REVELATION OR SPECULATION. The latter is the new normal and is characterized by relativism and subjectivism. Look inside for truth is the mantra of our culture. Second, the most essential component of any worldview is the question: what is ultimate reality? For our entire nation’s history, until fairly recently, there was a monolithic consensus that ultimate reality was an infinite/personal God who is distinct from His creation. During our lifetime, ultimate reality has largely changed to one where the Creator/creature distinction has been obliterated…specifically, ultimate reality is an universal energy or life force that pervades all the cosmos. THAT is the forest; let us now look at the tree known as Reiki. What is it, and should Christians engage in it, as many do?

Contrary to popular belief, Reiki is as old as the hills, but was re-cycled into its current form in the recent past. It is one of a large number of “energy therapies” that has grown out of the New Age movement. According to The International Center for Reiki Training, “…it is the God-consciousness called Rei that guides the life force Ki (chi/China, prahna/India) in the practice we call Reiki.” (added) There are three things about Reiki that make it incompatible with biblical Christianity.

NATURE OF GOD--The language is misleading when it comes to God because, like all Eastern derivatives, god is “god-in-everything-ism” or pantheism. There is no infinite-- personal God that we pray to for healing. The prayer is NOT to God the Father in Jesus’ name. Instead, an impersonal force is manipulated with the intent of bringing about healing. Using the linguistic symbol “God” is a dishonest attempt to make the belief in an impersonal, all-pervading force more palatable to western tastes. Rei is simply the cosmic energy force that gives humans their life force…ki. Reiki healers attempt to remove obstructions to ki so that it may flow or vibrate in synchronicity with Rei. So, at the all-important point of WHO God is, the Reiki notion is antithetical to the bible.

SPIRIT GUIDES—perhaps someone will say that they simply adapt Reiki healing principles without adopting their notion of God. However, to assert that betrays a woeful ignorance of worldview thinking. Like ghosts, Reiki healing/beliefs will not fit in a biblical worldview; they are antithetical. (soon I intend on doing a series on how to think with a biblical worldview).  Many people who have been the recipients of Reiki say that they feel MANY hands upon them as the “energy transfer” is taking place. If you look at their material, they unabashedly claim that spirit guides are an integral part of the healing process; they either assist or channel through the healer—depending upon their level of expertise.

Within a biblical worldview, the spirit realm s populated only by varying ranks of angels and demons….nothing else. Since these spirit beings are not Christo-centric, then they must be demonic—it is as plain and simple as that. We know from the angel of Light principle (2 Cor. 11:14), that Satan and his crew can mimic and morph into any shape they want to…which explains the vast variety of supernatural phenomena. They are capable of performing signs and wonders, which includes “healing.” Not everything that glitters is gold in the spirit realm, and (this is key) we must be discerning of supernatural evil (1 John 4:1)

Nature of healing—again, someone may object, “All healing is from God.” Really, what is your biblical text to support such a belief? There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to support that Reiki sometimes does extraordinary healing. Folks see this and automatically assume that God must be behind it. Just because an event is extraordinary or supernatural does not mean it is true! Consider this…is it possible that a demon may heal someone physically, but harm them spiritually? The obvious answer is yes, and I am distressed at the large number of folks being severely spiritually damaged by this form of “energy transfer.” Once one grasps the energy-centric worldview change that has occurred, then they are much better equipped to spot individual expressions of it…like Reiki.

The Problems With Believing That Energy Is Ultimate

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

“Come this way, please.” The life coach and wellness expert pleasantly coaxed his client into his office. “Our goal today is to teach you how to raise your vibrational levels…this will relieve stress, enhance overall health, build confidence, and make you more successful in every area of your life. Just think, you will be tapping into the same cosmic energy that surges through our galaxy —synchronicity! I can guarantee you that your public speaking as well as your love life will take a quantum leap forward!” Sounds enticing, does it not? And no holy God that we have to be accountable to…yeeaay!

Energy…our country has become fixated with it. The scene above, with ten-thousand variations, is played out in similar fashion everyday across our country. We saw last time that the notion of ghosts did not just pop out of thin air; it is no coincidence that the birth of the New Age (around 1990) occurred at generally the same time that the notion of ghosts started taking off in popularity—moving from a few fringe groups to where CBS says that now one-half of Americans believe in trapped spirits. I personally do not know of another significant belief that has grown this quickly in such a short period of time. The point is that the belief in ghosts is under the extensive umbrella of what we call New Age…or occult/pagan. First is the worldview shift—energy displaces God as ultimate reality—then aberrant beliefs (such as trapped spirits) start mushrooming across the landscape of our culture. Very few in the supernatural community seem to be aware of the causal connection between the two. And frankly, many don’t want to know because they simply have too much personally vested in the notion of ghosts.

The energy worldview is monism or one-ism. We saw last time that Energy has displaced the infinite/personal God of the bible as our concept of ultimate reality. Dr. Peter Jones has suggested that we think in terms of One-ism and Two-ism to describe the two fundamentally opposed worldviews. There is such a bewildering array of different beliefs and techniques that express this shift, that it is helpful to have some way of organizing all the data. (Peter was desk-mates for several years with John Lennon in Liverpool). John went on to be one of the most influential one-ist proponents ever, and his pal Peter one its biggest opponents.

One-ism is the belief that all reality is one…in this case, there is a divine energy that undulates throughout all the cosmos—making everything an expression of Energy—and by raising our energy vibrations to match that of the world around us, we begin to fire on all cylinders. You should note that, at the very heart of one-ism, is the obliteration of the distinction between Creator and creature. Energy is ultimate reality, but since everything is infused with this energy, then everything is one—all we have to do is have a spiritual chiropractic adjustment in order to maximally experience this divine energy. Sin and salvation take on an entirely different meaning in this worldview. Instead of us being saved from the clear and present danger of God’s holy wrath due to our trespasses against Him, instead our basic need is to be released from our ignorance regarding our divine nature and this is achieved via enlightened teaching or direct experience.

Two-ism is shorthand for designating the biblical worldview…there are two kind of reality: primary (the Creator) and derived (the creation). The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is primary or ultimate reality, and He is distinct from His creation, which derives its very existence from Him. He created it out of nothing (ex nihilo…Gen.1:1), and He continues to sustain and uphold its existence (Col.1:16). The two-ist or biblical worldview upholds the Creator/creature distinction…two utterly distinct kinds of reality. (Do you see why a depth awareness of God’s holiness is so crucial?).

The one-ist worldview, (New Age or pagan/occult Energy) overhaul of our culture is so comprehensive and diverse, that it is easy to miss the forest for all the trees…the forest being a one-ist worldview, and the trees being the innumerable beliefs, methods, and techniques that are expressive of a one-ist paradigm. Whether it be Reiki, incarnation, astral travel, quantum jumping, acupuncture, the chakras in yoga, and so on—all are one-ist trees—that comprise the one-ist forest or mindset/worldview. That is what drew me to Dr. Jones simplified means of making sense of all this mind-boggling variety…it explains so much: Energy as ultimate reality is the one-ist worldview which is in vogue today. But as I mentioned last time, it is not without its problems..

In classical philosophy there is epistemology (theory of knowledge), metaphysics, ethics, logic, and aesthetics. Few of us are philosophers in the technical sense of that being our academic specialty. However, we are all philosophers in the sense that we all have a worldview (albeit usually unconscious) through which we interpret the world. In this series, I wish to show the epistemological, metaphysical, and ethical necessity of the infinite/personal God really being there and having spoken to us. Often, Christian leaders despise philosophy and discourage any interaction with it. This is sad because the questions philosophers have asked for millennia, can only be answered satisfactorily by biblical Christianity—philosophy and biblical theology fit like hand in glove—and for this, I bow before the Lord in worship. It isn’t just that biblical Christianity has the best answers; it has the ONLY satisfactory answer.

Today there is not so much a generation gap, as there is an epistemological gap…we view truth differently... Epistemology is that branch of philosophy that deals with how we acquire knowledge, whether it is of the natural or the supernatural. This where we must start, especially when it comes to this notion of Energy as ultimate reality.  I would gently insist that without the God of the bible, and the bible of God, we have no sufficient basis for knowing anything. I have a friend (call her Laura) who is well known in paranormal (whoops…I said it!) circles, she has written a book and has been investigating the supernatural for over 35 years…specializing in what she refers to as hostile haunts. Laura was deeply angered at me after reading my book and told me so. Thought I was too narrow…siiigh. She explicitly states that she does not believe in religious absolutes, and incredibly, after many hundreds of investigations of active houses, she says that she has never run into a demon! Never…

I mention this as an illustration of the paramount importance of epistemology. The starting point for her in analyzing the supernatural is, well, herself…not any beliefs external to her. The fact that she is convinced she has never once happened upon a demon is terrifying to me, and it surely shows that 35 years of operating on a false presupposition, will only lead one ever deeper into darkness and folly (Rom.1:18ff). Consider this verse I happened upon in my quiet time yesterday, “And the angel…who swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay.” (Rev.10:6 emph. added) The Greek word for heavens (ouranos) can mean the sky, the place where God dwells, and the supernatural realm. Regardless, John is emphatic and explicit in noting that it is the Lord who created the different realms and (this is key) what is in them. Since God is the Creator of the inhabitants of the supernatural realm, we must see reality through His eyes if we are to identify His creation accurately. His word is the necessary epistemological foundation for gaining true and accurate knowledge of the supernatural realm and its inhabitants… as they really are. On the contrary, the more experience and time one has spent analyzing the supernatural without reference to He who created it, will only lead to an intensification of ignorance and foolish conjecture.

The one-ist worldview states: In the beginning, there has always been impersonal energy, and this impersonal energy + time + chance = the current complexity of the heavens and the earth. That has many ramifications, but the epistemological are most fundamental. How do we acquire knowledge of the world?  Now, please consider this: suppose you are doing your thing (which is not God’s thing) and investigating the supernatural. You are observing with your five senses, while also using instruments…the observer and the thing being observed. If ultimate reality is impersonal energy, then you as observer are the result of: impersonal beginning billions of years ago + time + chance. Specifically, your eyes and your brain are the result of an impersonal beginning, plus time, plus chance (that is how evolution rolls). I gently insist that you do not import any notion of intentionality or design because that is being inconsistent (You can’t have your autonomous cake and eat it too).

In this scheme, you have no intellectual basis for claiming that what is coming to you is data. Call it blah, blah, but you have no epistemological basis for saying that you are receiving data. Why do I say that? How can you trust your brain which is a bunch of chemicals and billions of firing synapses? How can this process kick up a brain which conveniently has categories which corresponds with external reality? Your eyes…again, nothing but energy in motion, configured by chance. How do you know that what you perceive as a red apple is really red in color, and is really shaped as you perceive it? It was Immanuel Kant who dropped this bombshell on the philosophical playground about 200 years ago. To make matters more complex, in this scheme (impersonal energy is ultimate reality) how can you trust the information transfer from eyes to brain? How can we be sure that we are acquiring accurate knowledge regarding anything? What is the basis for believing in the basic reliability of our senses?

I have briefly sketched the epistemological problem of the one-ist worldview of Energy, which is the root of this explosive rise of interest in spirit beings/ghosts. I want to close with showing how biblical Christianity alone supplies the answer to the epistemological problem. God is infinite and personal, and we are finite and personal. When it comes to His infinity, God is utterly dissimilar to us…and all of creation (this is the essence of two-ist thinking), but when it comes to God being personal, then we are similar to God—we are made in His image. The same God who formed the external world for our enjoyment, also created our five senses to operate or function in this environment: do you see how massive this is epistemologically? A personal God of reason made our reason; a God who hears prayer made our ears to hear; the Creator who sees all and knows all created both our eyes and our minds—with categories which correspond to what is out there. We have a sufficient basis for knowing that what appears to be a red apple is precisely that. We have a sufficient basis for trusting in the basic reliability of our five senses. When it comes to the problems of this worldview now in vogue (energy is ultimate reality), we see that only the God of the bible, and the bible of God, provide the only solution.