Question:  Hello Greg,

            I have a question that has been bugging me for a few weeks now.  I have been watching some TV programs.  There is a host that connects the dead with the living.  The dead give information to the host, who then tells the living (usually relatives) what the person who has passed is trying to tell them.  The living relatives validate the messages and it gets pretty emotional sometimes.  In my heart something tells me this is not good.  It’s not possible. 

            Greg, can you share with me what the Bible says concerning the dead?  Can we communicate with our loved ones who have passed away?  Thanks for your time.

            Marie

Answer:  Dear Marie,

            Nowhere does the Bible suggest that human beings can be in communication with the souls of those who are dead.  The Bible, and our common sense experience, shows us that our bodies decay upon death.  But our soul—some feel more comfortable calling it our spirit—goes to God.  Most Christians believe our soul is conscious with God. Christians usually use the term “in heaven”, which is fine except that we need to realize that God is not confined to a place, so “in heaven” simply means with God—“wherever” that is.  As humans we have no concept of spiritual “space” because we are confined to time and space.  Beyond that, the Bible reveals nothing.  It does not tell us to pray to the dead, but only to God.  Therefore, anyone who suggests that they can give us messages from the dead is a fraud.  They cannot be disproven of course, which is why they persist so boldly with such wild allegations.  People believe them, but then again we human beings have proven ourselves easy to deceive!

            Look to God alone, not to some other “source”.  May God bless you Marie.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht