Mike Winger, a recurring guest known for addressing spiritual questions from a Christian perspective, dives into thought-provoking topics. He discusses the complexities of necromancy and the moral implications of grieving loved ones. Winger explores God's sovereignty versus human control in conception decisions. He tackles the mystery of forgiveness for Christians and the significance of true faith. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of understanding resurrection and its theological underpinnings, all while encouraging a grounded approach to doubt and belief.
Talking to deceased loved ones is deemed inappropriate as it borders on necromancy, contradicting biblical teachings.
Balancing grief with scriptural directives is crucial to avoid unhealthy behaviors stemming from the desire to connect with lost loved ones.
Believers should focus on the hope of eternal life and future reunions with deceased loved ones as outlined in biblical scripture.
Deep dives
Understanding Necromancy
Necromancy is defined as the practice of communicating with the dead, often associated with magic related to death. The speaker addresses a question about whether visiting a cemetery and talking to deceased loved ones qualifies as necromancy. The conclusion drawn is that while the desire to communicate with the dead may stem from emotional needs, attempting genuine communication is considered wrong according to biblical teachings. This distinction emphasizes the importance of processing grief through appropriate avenues while remaining grounded in scripture.
The Pull of Grief
The speaker acknowledges the intense desire to reconnect with lost loved ones, especially those who have passed away tragically, such as parents or children. This overwhelming pull can be challenging to articulate, particularly to individuals who have not experienced such profound loss. The speaker shares personal experiences of wanting to express feelings to a deceased loved one and emphasizes that while longing for connection is a natural response to grief, it can lead to unhealthy behaviors if not navigated properly. The struggle lies in balancing human emotions and grief with biblical directives against seeking communication with the dead.
Biblical Prohibition on Necromancy
The Bible explicitly warns against seeking or communicating with the dead, as reflected in passages from Deuteronomy and Leviticus. These scriptures label such practices as abhorrent to God, establishing a strict guideline for the behavior expected of believers. The speaker argues that even attempts to reinterpret these prohibitions to justify benign interactions with the deceased fail scripturally. The consequences of disregarding these commands can be severe, leading individuals into dangerous spiritual territory.
The Spiritual Risks Involved
The potential perils of trying to reach out to deceased loved ones are underscored, particularly the risk of unwanted spiritual forces intervening. The speaker recounts real-life instances where individuals believed they communicated with spirits and how these experiences sometimes resulted in psychological distress or confusion. There's a cautionary note regarding the distinction between true communication with loved ones and encounters with deceptive spirits. This highlights the necessity for believers to remain vigilant and anchored in biblical truths while processing grief.
Expression vs. Communication with the Deceased
Verbalizing feelings to deceased loved ones can be viewed as a therapeutic exercise, provided it is done with the understanding that such expressions are one-sided. The speaker suggests that saying things out loud can help cope with grief, as long as it does not develop into a pattern where one expects a return communication from the deceased. This practice should never replace prayer or diminish one's relationship with the living. The focus should remain on God, ensuring that the longing for deceased loved ones does not overshadow the hope of future reunions in heaven.
The Hope in Scripture
The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope through biblical teachings regarding life after death and the future reunion with believers who have passed away. Specifically, the discussion centers on passages from 1 Thessalonians which delineate that although there is present separation from the deceased, there is the promise of eternal fellowship with those in Christ. This hope, conveyed through scripture, should serve as a foundation for coping with loss rather than seeking out unhealthy connections with the deceased. The perspective is framed around trusting God's plans and promises for eternal life.
Is going to the cemetery and talking to loved ones necromancy or otherwise off limits for a Christian?
Welcome to the new weekly stream! 10 questions every Friday at 1 p.m. Pacific Time.
Today's Time Stamps:
1. 0:07 {Deceased Loved Ones & Necromancy?} Is going to the cemetery and talking to loved ones necromancy? 2. 27:59 {Our Choices & God’s Sovereign Will} Do we have any true control over life entering the world, or is it only based on God's sovereignty? I think if it’s God's plan for me to have a child, I'll get pregnant even if on birth control. But my husband thinks we control conception through birth control. If Jeremiah 1:5 applies to all people, wouldn't that mean God's plan overrides our plan for procreation? 3. 31:45 {Jesus’ Death: Physical but Not Spiritual?} If Jesus' humanity and divinity are inseparable, then how could He experience bodily death on the cross without His deity dying, as well? 4. 36:33 {Do Christians Continue to Need Forgiveness?} 1 John 1:9 perplexes me. I am a Christian. In what sense does my daily confession apply "forgiveness" to me? What happens if I die with “unforgiven” sin? 5. 41:19 {Why Doesn’t God Just Satisfy Skeptics’ Doubts?} How would you answer someone who says, “If there is a God, He knows what evidence I would need to believe and has not given it to me” and seems to genuinely mean it, not mocking/scoffing? 6. 51:33 {Metaphorical, Spiritual, or Physical Resurrection?} Is Romans 8:11 referring to a metaphorical, spiritual, or physical resurrection later to come? I thought it was spiritual, but the term "mortal bodies" has me thinking differently. 7. 57:43 {Too Much Theology & Doctrine?} My pastor says that theology is “just someone’s opinion” and that “we shouldn’t get hooked on theology and doctrine.” How would you respond? 8. 1:03:05 {Did Peter & Other Disciples Quit?} Did Peter and the others "quit the ministry" when they went fishing in John 21:3? It seems that Peter had already seen the risen Christ 2 or 3 times before this event. 9. 1:08:33 {Stewarding Friendships with Unbelievers} How do you navigate having worldly friends? At times I enjoy their company and the conversation is good, but at other times they are unbearable to be around, making crude jokes. 10. 1:14:19 {God Conceals a Matter?} In Proverbs 25:2, in what sense is the author saying that God conceals a matter? It's clearly not an absolute (i.e., He does reveal things).
Here's the clip I mentioned about how to handle grief over a loved one who is not saved: Click Here
My series of videos going verse-by-verse through Romans: Click Here
