Scared Straight #2 - That Ain't Casper Series

Last week we began a new teaching series around the supernatural. We discussed the idea that Jesus' presence and works 2000 years ago represent an orderly working of the world many don’t recognise nor do they understand, so they call the events - supernatural. But are they?

One magician exposed who has made it his life’s work to expose what he calls, “fake ghosts,” and has been able to do so in hundreds of cases. In fact, he claims that he has never failed once to prove that there is no such thing as ghosts. Houdini, the great magician, once said, “Never encountered a phenomenon I could not duplicate.”

However there are some cases of what is called, “Visible evidence of forces outside the material state.” One investigator, speaking on behalf of a committee of investigators in the realm of psychic phenomena, stated, “After most painstaking tests, I must admit these manifestations are genuine demonstrations of supernatural power, which have not been induced by suggestions, hypnotism or fraud.” They announced, “The laboratory has demonstrated the existence of intelligence outside the physical realm.”

If I don’t understand why you do or don’t act, is it supernatural or is it just another aspect of life that I don’t understand? For example, I don’t understand how images get broken up and sent through the air to end up on my tablet. Does that make it supernatural?

Supernatural by definition is: (a manifestation or event) attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature.

Science generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. ... It has a specific role, as well as a variety of functions for the benefit of our society including better relations between people, improving education, increasing the quality and even quantity of our lives while on earth.

However, just because science can not define or systemize an event doesn’t change it or its significance in the world in which we live.

The scriptures share hundreds of stories science has yet to fully explain.

Take for example the story from 1 Samuel we heard earlier. One of the greatest Ghost stories in the Bible comes in 1 Samuel 28:3-25. Saul is near the end of his reign as king. He has turned from God and misses his prophetic voice in Samuel, so he goes to a medium and sees a ghost of Samuel.

Take a listen:

7 Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said.

8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.” 9 But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?”

10 Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.”

11 Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said. 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?”

The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure[a] coming up out of the earth.” 14 “What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” 16 Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. 18 Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. 19 The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”