PARANORMAL NET
Joe R. Price
"Dutch churches have created a pastoral network for people with
paranormal gifts and experiences. The network was initiated after church officials noticed
that an increasing number of people in and outside the churches wanted to talk about their
experiences, but often feel isolated and encounter denial and rejection. After all, they
reasoned, the Bible describes many visions, dreams, hearing of voices and healings, many
of which would be considered paranormal today."
-- Ecumenical News Intl
The visions, dreams, hearing of
voices and healings described in the Bible were beyond the normal realm of daily
occurrences -- that is why they are called miracles (Heb. 2:4; Acts 2:22; Mk.
16:17-20). Bible miracles were very, very different than the alleged visitations and signs
claimed by people today.
The Bible teaches that the age of miracles has ended (1 Cor.
13:8-10). This does not mean that we do not believe in miracles -- we believe in every
Bible miracle! But, we are also willing to believe the Bible teaching regarding the
purpose of miracles (to confirm the heavenly message of truth, Mk. 17:20) as well as their
duration (1 Cor. 13:8).
Gods people have always been warned against trying to
communicate with the dead. God cautioned Israel not to turn to those who call up the dead
as a source of knowledge and truth (Deut. 18:9-14). Instead, they were to hear His
prophets (Deut. 18:15-22). Likewise, we must hear Christ and His apostles today, not
alleged paranormal gifts and experiences (Matt. 17:5; 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Thess. 2:15).
We encourage all men to put their efforts and energies into learning and obeying the simple truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not glamorous, but it is eternally rewarding (Matt. 6:33; Jno. 8:31-32, 36; Matt. 5:10-12).