Parapsychology is the study of psychic phenomena or abilities that appear to transcend the known physical laws of nature. The term comes from the Greek words para meaning “beside” or “beyond” and psychology meaning “study of the mind.” Some of the phenomena studied in parapsychology include:
Telepathy
Telepathy refers to the transfer of thoughts, feelings, or information from one person to another without using the normal senses. It is sometimes called “mind reading” or “mental telepathy.” There are different types of telepathy:
– Precognitive telepathy involves receiving information about future events.
– Clairvoyant telepathy is about perceiving distant events happening at the present moment that are beyond the normal range of the senses.
– Retrocognitive telepathy involves perceiving past events through extrasensory perception.
The Bible records several instances that could be interpreted as telepathic communication. Genesis 24 tells the story of Abraham’s servant praying that God would reveal the right wife for Isaac. Immediately after his prayer, Rebekah came to the well and fulfilled the signs he had requested. Some believe the servant received telepathic guidance from God to lead him to Rebekah.
In John 1:48, Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked how Jesus knew him, to which Jesus responded he had seen Nathanael under the fig tree before Philip called him. Many interpret this as Jesus demonstrating psychic knowledge or telepathic abilities.
While the Bible does not explicitly use the term “telepathy,” these and other passages suggest God can impart supernatural knowledge and communicate beyond the limitations of physical senses. However, the Bible warns against relying on psychic powers as they can be deceptive or manipulated by demonic forces. Discernment is required.
Clairvoyance
Clairvoyance means perceiving information, objects or events beyond the normal range of the senses. A clairvoyant person can supposedly see distant objects, people or events hidden from view. The word comes from the French term clair meaning “clear” and voyance meaning “vision.” Clairvoyance is sometimes called “second sight” or “sixth sense.”
In the Bible, Jesus demonstrates clairvoyant abilities on several occasions. In John 1:47-48, Jesus saw Nathanael coming and described his character without having met him before. Jesus also displayed knowledge of Peter’s conversation with the tax collector despite not being physically present (Matthew 17:24-27).
The prophet Elisha exhibited clairvoyance in 2 Kings 5 when he knew what his servant Gehazi had done secretly. Elisha confronted him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?”
While Scripture affirms that God can grant clairvoyant abilities, it also warns against seeking occult sources of supernatural knowledge. Leviticus 19:31 states, “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”
Precognition
Precognition refers to foreknowledge of events that have not yet come to pass. It involves obtaining information through extrasensory perception about future happenings that cannot be deduced from normally known facts. Some people report precognitive dreams, visions or feelings that later come true.
There are many examples of precognition in the Bible. God revealed the future to prophets, warning of judgments, exile and the coming Messiah. Joseph dreamed of his future leadership, as did Daniel concerning the rise and fall of kings. Jesus predicted Peter’s three denials, his own death and resurrection, the destruction of the temple, end times events and more.
However, the Bible also contains warnings against relying on psychic predictions. Moses instructed Israel, “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously” (Deuteronomy 18:22). Likewise, Jesus said no one knows the day or hour when He will return (Matthew 24:36).
While God has revealed some future events, the Bible urges caution with unbiblical sources of precognition. Predictions should be tested against Scripture to discern their true origin.
Psychokinesis
Psychokinesis refers to the ability to move physical objects or affect systems without using physical means. It is sometimes abbreviated as PK and known as telekinesis. Demonstrations of psychokinesis include moving or levitating objects, bending metal, randomly influencing machines, and alleged psychic healing.
In the Bible, Moses and Aaron used psychokinetic abilities from God to trigger the plagues on Egypt, manipulating water, weather, locusts and more to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelites. Ezekiel telekinetically dug into the temple wall according to God’s instructions (Ezekiel 8).
Jesus showed mastery over nature by calming the storm, walking on water, cursing the fig tree, multiplying the loaves and fish, and turning water into wine. The Apostle Paul sent handkerchiefs and aprons to people to heal diseases and drive out evil spirits (Acts 19:11-12).
However, psychic powers can also be used deceitfully. Pharaoh’s magicians copied some of Aaron’s miracles before eventually admitting it was God’s power (Exodus 7:11; 8:18-19). Simon the sorcerer tried to purchase the ability from the Apostles (Acts 8:9-13). Psychokinetic feats can be counterfeited through illusion or demonic forces.
The Bible acknowledges genuine psychokinetic gifts from God, but also distinguishes His power from magic and occult practices. All paranormal phenomena must be carefully evaluated in light of Scripture.
Near-Death Experiences
Near-death experiences (NDEs) refer to profound subjective events reported by some people who have nearly died or been clinically dead before being revived. Common elements include out-of-body experiences, approaching a bright light, entering another realm, encountering spiritual beings, and sensing a point of no return.
While NDEs are not described in those precise terms in Scripture, several biblical figures underwent experiences reminiscent of modern NDE accounts. When Stephen was martyred, he cried out, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56).
In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Paul described being caught up into the third heaven and paradise where he heard inexpressible things. John’s visions in Revelation 4 included sights and sounds reminiscent of NDEs – bright light, lightning, rainbows, elders, lamps, scrolls, singing, and a sea of glass.
However, the Bible indicates that genuine afterlife experiences align with God’s revelation, not merely subjective spiritual encounters. Scripture is the measuring rod for evaluating all paranormal claims, including NDEs which could potentially involve deceiving spirits.
Reincarnation
Reincarnation is the belief that the soul or spirit of a person is reborn after death into a new physical body and new life. This cycle of death and rebirth supposedly continues until the soul reaches an enlightened state. Reincarnation plays a prominent role in religions like Hinduism and Buddhism.
Christianity firmly rejects reincarnation given the Bible’s teaching on the afterlife. Hebrews 9:27 declares it “appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” The soul does not migrate into different bodies but enters an eternal destination after death based on a person’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Believers will dwell forever with God in heaven, while unbelievers suffer eternal separation from God.
In Matthew 17, the disciples wondered if Jesus was Elijah reincarnated, but Jesus rejected that belief distinguishing between Elijah and John the Baptist. Jesus alone conquered death forever through His resurrection. Those who trust in Christ will experience glorified resurrection bodies, not recurring reincarnation cycles (1 Corinthians 15).
Ghost Encounters
Ghosts are generally understood as disembodied spirits of dead people who have appeared to the living, often in haunting situations. Reports of ghost encounters cross cultures and generations. Ghosts may be seen visually, heard audibly, sensed physically, or even captured in photographs or recordings.
The Bible provides several insights about ghosts. First, Scripture makes clear that death is final and irreversible. The spirit of a deceased person does not linger on earth (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6). When people see “ghosts,” they are not actually observing human spirits.
Second, the Bible indicates that evil spirits can deceptively present themselves as deceased people. When King Saul consulted a medium and saw Samuel, Scripture implies it was actually a demon imitating the prophet’s appearance (1 Samuel 28:7-19; 2 Corinthians 11:14).
Third, Scripture nowhere indicates ghosts are the souls of people caught in limbo. Believers who die are present immediately with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23). Nonbelievers enter fiery torment (Luke 16:19-31). Purgatory and ghosts have no biblical basis.
Finally, the ultimate destiny of every soul is bodily resurrection, not disembodied afterlife as a ghost. Christians will receive imperishable resurrection bodies (1 Cor 15:42-44). The notion of ghosts conflicts with biblical anthropology and eschatology.
Extrasensory Perception
Extrasensory perception (ESP) is an umbrella term encompassing different psychic abilities like telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, among others. ESP refers to processing information that is normally accessible via sensory perception but allegedly obtained through supernatural psychic means.
As covered in the biblical examples already given, Scripture acknowledges God can enable people to access knowledge through extrasensory means. Jesus demonstrated supernatural foreknowledge of people and events that could not have been known naturally. However, several cautions must balance any claims of ESP.
First, God warns strongly against occult practices like divination, necromancy, fortune-telling, and spell-casting that purport to provide special knowledge (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Second, some ESP could come from demonic sources rather than God (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Third, claims of ESP should be tested against the revelation of Scripture to determine their true origin (1 John 4:1).
The Bible affirms ESP miraculously from God, while warning that psychic phenomena can also be faked by charlatans or fueled by demonic forces. Careful discernment is required when evaluating any reports of extrasensory abilities.
Conclusion
Parapsychology investigates purported paranormal phenomena currently outside the scope of mainstream physical science. Some of these psychic abilities do have biblical precedent when manifested by God’s power. However, Scripture also contains many cautions against occultic counterfeits, deceptive spirits, and relying on subjective supernatural experiences against God’s revelation.
Christians acknowledge the reality of genuine paranormal gifts from God, but must also exercise wisdom and discernment in evaluating supposed supernatural manifestations in light of the whole counsel of Scripture. The Bible is the ultimate standard for testing paranormal claims. While parapsychology explores fascinating questions, theology must anchor the evaluation of psychic phenomena.
