Christians and ghosts

Did you pose this question because I was joking around about Casper? I sure hope nobody took me seriously. Casper is a cartoon character, just like Daggett Beaver. Hint #1: Neither one is real. Hint #2: My use of a cartoon beaver is not an endorsement for any unGodly behavior with respect to beavers (although what that could be is beyond me).

 

The apostles obviously believed in ghosts.

Ghosts are mentioned twice in the NT:

Mark 6:49: But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

Matthew 14:26: And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

I have twice seen something that could be described as a ghost, once with two other witnesses.

However, your question begs the answer to, "What is a ghost?"

As you seem to imply, I don't think they are people who "haven't passed over", but I think they present themselves in such a way, based on the evidence we have at hand.

Although it can be argued that presenting them in such a way can be dangerous, I think it is far more dangerous to present them as benign.

Just as, when I was preaching on the doctrines of demons, one thing that I pointed out was that although demons are often portrayed as evil beings, they are often presented as benign, or even as a cartoon or a plush toy.

How far does this go to giving the impression that they really are benign?

 

Personally, I don't and teach the same.

A ghost, no matter cute they may appear (angel of light) are in truth northing but demonic apparitions. Ghosts ARE spirits but contrary to many believers personal opinion today - they are not human spirits who have some task or matter left undone or are here to watch over and safe guard friends and family.

We should view them according to truth of Gods word. They are not people who have departed and as such leaves only two options; angels or demons.

 

Ironically, I was agreeing with your sentiment, and spoke just inarticulately enough to make it sound as if I were agreeing with something else, which is something you did not say.

Just to clarify, since that sentence even confused me: You say that this is how it's depicted and not how they are. I agree with that. I attempted to say that I understood and agreed with you in my previous post. I apparently failed.

I worked 18 hours today, including coaching football, and when I first posted it, my brain thought it was correct...

 

The only ghost I believe in is the Holy Ghost...

 

No, I don't believe we should.

 

At one time we lived in an old farm house in Virginia all most every night we would here a door shut a footsteps going up the stairs, my kids say they saw him a few times, when my sister-in-law came to visit without anyone saying anything to her she refused to sleep upstairs, she said someone was watching her.
BOO, true story

 

If anyone here can honestly say they are offended by the depiction of Casper as my avatar I will remove it.

 

What prohibition on fantasy?

Obviously I missed something in some conversation somewhere. Would someone point me to it please?

 

I always liked watching the Topper movies, and as a kid one of my favorite books was "Gus was a Friendly Ghost." I never had an interest in the occult or anything, just enjoyed the idea of a "ghost" getting back at her murderers. It was just fantasy for me.

As far as the more recent books and movies about ghosts, I think they are demonic and should be avoided by Christians.

 

When we first moved into our 100-year old parsonage, I was alone and continually heard footsteps going up the stairs. At first it worried me, but after a while I figured out it was because we live near a bridge and whenever a heavy truck would come across the bridge, the vibrations made the house shake a little and it sounded like someone was on the stairs.

 

posted in the wrong thread

 

No bridge,we were in the middle of no were

 

Playing devil's advocate...why couldn't an angel be considered a ghost?