Saul and the Medium of Endor – Part 5
Summary of the Series
The account of Saul and the Medium of Endor gives us much to explore regarding the paranormal realm within Scripture. However, Scripture must be understood within the context of the culture in which it was written. Recent archaeological evidence from the cultures of that time reveals a rich belief in the ability of humans to engage with spirit beings and to summon the dead, something that challenges modern Christians who suggest that such powers are not possible, despite warnings in Scripture that logically imply this is indeed possible.
Christians who prefer modernist and / or rationalist explanations, or ones that have an apriori commitment to the dead not being able to contact the living, have to resort to eisegesis to interpret the passage, giving interpretations that fall apart under the scrutiny of the text and context.
The judgement pronounced upon Saul for his lack of faith in God and his seeking spiritual guidance from the deceased by actively engaging the help of a woman possessed by a spirit herself should give us cause to beware of seeking advice from modern mediums using spirit guides when encountering spirits in deliverance ministry. Whilst some mediums may not use channelling or possession-type activities to initiate communication with the deceased, one should still be aware that the Bible strongly condemns the active seeking to contact the dead for divinatory purposes.
This is not to say that those involved in deliverance should ignore those who are sensitive and psychically gifted in being able to communicate with the dead without engaging in channelling / possession type activities that facilitate this, as they may be able to help bring healing and wholeness into these situations.
It should also be noted that there are occasions where communication may be initiated from beyond the veil, whether it is for positive or negative purposes. When these instances occur, we are encouraged in Scripture to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1), and this will naturally involve communication with them. Scripture doesn’t forbid us from communicating with the dead (even Jesus spoke with Elijah and Moses at the Transfiguration – see Matthew 17L1-3 !), but we do not initiate it.
Author’s Note
I hope you’ve enjoyed this series and that it has helped put further flesh on the bones (sorry, I couldn’t resist that pun!) of a story that fascinates and fills some with morbid horror. Studying it deeply shows that it has much to teach us, not just about necromantic practices of that time but also that even today, these things are real, that people do have the potential to communicate beyond the veil, and these aren’t things to be toyed with as some party game.
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