Christianity--Church History/Christen's views on ghosts

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Expert: - 3/18/2011


Question
Do Christiansen's believe there are such things as ghosts, not demands but human sprints that linger and walk the Earth? Not angel's, but human spirits that haunt. Also what are Christians feels towards theses types of believes about being about to see or hear the dead?

Answer
Alex,

A general Christian answer is no, but at the same time I want to stress that Scripture or Tradition have not definitively spoken on this issue.  What I can tell you is that human beings have a soul, or an immaterial portion of their person which separates from their body at death.  This soul or "spirit" is what "goes to be with God" and this retains their personality.  This is not to say that the body is bad or of no consequence, for that is still a part of your person.  

The soul was thought to hang around dead bodies in ancient Judaism until the 3rd day or so...this is why when Jesus goes to see Lazarus, the text notes how many days it had been since Lazarus had died (which was one beyond the normal time).  As to the soul permanently staying in a location, I don't see why it would or wouldn't depending on how you take certain texts.  

I am personally disinclined to view this "haunting" phenomenon as human, but rather, demonic (though I am not dogmatic about it).  As to how we feel about those being able to see or hear "the dead," this has a history in the Church, whose departed saints are still "alive," and appear to people at times.  This is miraculous and should be taken as a gift of God...however, discernment is necessary.  One way to discern the figure you see is to listen if it defies what God has previously revealed, or if the figure you see changes form after a while.  If it is consistent and true to God's revelation of Jesus Christ, then they are of God, if they aren't, then they are from Satan.

Hope this helps.

Chris

Christianity--Church History

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Christopher Heren

Expertise

I can answer many questions regarding the theology of the early church, particularly those areas pertaining to Christology and the Trinity. I can also answer many questions pertaining to the early Reformation period, particularly those questions which relate to Lutheran theology and practice. While I can answer questions from just about any time period, my weakest area is modern church history, where my knowledge is much more limited to the theology of major academic and popular movements (though not their history). Any questions which also address the development of certain liturgical practices of the church (East and West) I can usually field, or point to where the answer might be found.

Experience

I have grown up in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and currently attend a Lutheran seminary. I have recently converted to Eastern Orthodoxy (Orthodox Church in America). My knowledge of the Reformation stems from this background. I have also intensely studied the early church for about five years now, and have learned from Lutheran, Reformed, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox sources. My interaction with many traditional denominations has also led to my integration of this history with the study of the doctrine and proclamation of the church. My interest in church history has led me to alter my M.Div education and pursue an M.A. in religion. From there I hope to further my education in historical theology. I have also corrected one Lutheran expert here regarding the identity of the Virgin Mary in Lutheran theology by referring to both the Book of Concord (1580 AD) and the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) My knowledge of ancient languages includes some Latin, Koine Greek, and biblical Hebrew.

Organizations
Paleontological Society of America

Education/Credentials
B.S. Geology/B.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences (Integrative Biology) - University of Illinois 2005. M.S. Biology (degree unfinished) - Bradley University 2006-2007 A.A. Philosophy - Illinois Central College 2008 M.A. Theological Studies (History of Christianity) - Luther Seminary 2011. MTh. Systematic Theology - Luther Seminary (projected 2012).

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