CrossWinds Spencer Blog https://spencer.crosswinds.tv General Posts of CrossWinds Church Pastors and Staff Fri, 29 Mar 2024 03:09:53 -0500 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Jordan's Ordination Service https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/jordan-ordination-service https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/jordan-ordination-service#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0500 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/jordan-ordination-service ]]> ]]> Marriage Study https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/marriage-study https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/marriage-study#comments Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:00:00 -0600 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/marriage-study ]]> ]]> Congratulations on Ordination, Pastor Jordan! https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/congratulations-ordination https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/congratulations-ordination#comments Wed, 31 Jan 2024 18:00:00 -0600 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/congratulations-ordination ]]> ]]> New CrossWinds | Spencer Location Effective May 2018 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/new-crosswinds---spencer-location-effective-may-2018 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/new-crosswinds---spencer-location-effective-may-2018#comments Sun, 22 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0500 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/new-crosswinds---spencer-location-effective-may-2018 CrossWinds | Spencer is excited to announce that we will be worshiping at a new location effective May 2018!

Last Fall, leaders of First Christian Church of Spencer approached us with the opportunity to share their facility on Sunday mornings and throughout the week. The prospect of sharing a space with another church was equal parts exciting and frightening.

The thought of having a more permanent presence in Spencer excited us, as did he opportunity to leverage a well-known building in our community for ministry throughout the week.

But we were also a bit frightened as well. Would we lose our identity? Would they lose their identity? Would such an agreement between two different churches from two different denominations work?

Over the past several months, we have been diligent in prayer and conversation with our brothers and sisters at First Christian. We are thrilled with their willingness to share their space, and we are humbled by their attitude of selflessness toward us. 

And so it is with great anticipation that CrossWinds | Spencer looks to May 6 as our first date at our new location (701 E 18th St). While our location is changing, nothing else is. We remain CrossWinds Church, steadfastly committed to the gospel. While services may look different in a new space, we are confident that you will experience the same core values that define us as a church body.

Grace and Peace,

 

Jordan Gowing

Campus Pastor, CrossWinds | Spencer

 Interested in staying up to date with the move? Be sure to like us on Facebook or subscribe to our email newsletter.

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CrossWinds | Spencer is excited to announce that we will be worshiping at a new location effective May 2018!

Last Fall, leaders of First Christian Church of Spencer approached us with the opportunity to share their facility on Sunday mornings and throughout the week. The prospect of sharing a space with another church was equal parts exciting and frightening.

The thought of having a more permanent presence in Spencer excited us, as did he opportunity to leverage a well-known building in our community for ministry throughout the week.

But we were also a bit frightened as well. Would we lose our identity? Would they lose their identity? Would such an agreement between two different churches from two different denominations work?

Over the past several months, we have been diligent in prayer and conversation with our brothers and sisters at First Christian. We are thrilled with their willingness to share their space, and we are humbled by their attitude of selflessness toward us. 

And so it is with great anticipation that CrossWinds | Spencer looks to May 6 as our first date at our new location (701 E 18th St). While our location is changing, nothing else is. We remain CrossWinds Church, steadfastly committed to the gospel. While services may look different in a new space, we are confident that you will experience the same core values that define us as a church body.

Grace and Peace,

 

Jordan Gowing

Campus Pastor, CrossWinds | Spencer

 Interested in staying up to date with the move? Be sure to like us on Facebook or subscribe to our email newsletter.

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Questions on the Afterlife: "Will there be animals in heaven?" https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on- https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-#comments Sun, 17 Sep 2017 07:00:00 -0500 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on- Animals are one the things that make creation beautiful, are they not? The sheer weight of creativity and diversity in the animal kingdom can inspire worship in even the coldest heart. But will there be animals in heaven?

It depends on what we mean by “heaven.” The answer will vary whether we are referring to the intermediate heaven where God reigns now or to the New Creation in the resurrected cosmos.

Are there animals in the intermediate heaven? Remember, the intermediate heaven is where we go when we die before our bodies are resurrected. Before God’s throne we see four living creatures described as mixes of different animals (Revelation 4:6–9). That said, it would be wrong for us to think of these as animals in the traditional sense, as they are sentient beings actively praising God. It doesn’t seem like there are any animals in the intermediate heaven.

As for the New Creation, I cannot fathom a New Creation without animals. Remember, the New Creation is a part of God’s fulfillment of his original plans for creation that started in Genesis 1–2. Were there animals in the original creation before sin? Yes. So unless we see something that is explicit to the contrary, we should expect that animals will be present in the New Creation.

What’s more, recall that humanity will reign alongside God in the New Creation (Revelation 22:5). Over whom will we reign? If Genesis 1:26–28 are any indication (and again, they seem to portray the same activity as Revelation 22:5), then we can be utterly confident that there will be animals in the New Creation.

Of course, when most people ask this question, they are likely wondering about a pet that has died. Do dogs “go to heaven”? The Bible does not say one way or the other, though Joni Eareckson Tada has a thought worth considering:

“If God brings our pets back to life, it wouldn’t surprise me. It would be just like Him. It would be totally in keeping with His generous character. . . . Exorbitant. Excessive. Extravagant in grace after grace. Of all the dazzling discoveries and ecstatic pleasures heaven will hold for us, the potential of seeing Scrappy would be pure whimsy—utterly, joyfully, surprisingly superfluous. . . . Heaven is going to be a place that will refract and reflect in as many ways as possible the goodness and joy of our great God, who delights in lavishing love on His children.” (quoted in Heaven by Randy Alcorn, digital edition)

Will animals be in the New Creation? Absolutely. Will our pets? It would fit within God’s character for them to be there, but we cannot be sure either way.

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Animals are one the things that make creation beautiful, are they not? The sheer weight of creativity and diversity in the animal kingdom can inspire worship in even the coldest heart. But will there be animals in heaven?

It depends on what we mean by “heaven.” The answer will vary whether we are referring to the intermediate heaven where God reigns now or to the New Creation in the resurrected cosmos.

Are there animals in the intermediate heaven? Remember, the intermediate heaven is where we go when we die before our bodies are resurrected. Before God’s throne we see four living creatures described as mixes of different animals (Revelation 4:6–9). That said, it would be wrong for us to think of these as animals in the traditional sense, as they are sentient beings actively praising God. It doesn’t seem like there are any animals in the intermediate heaven.

As for the New Creation, I cannot fathom a New Creation without animals. Remember, the New Creation is a part of God’s fulfillment of his original plans for creation that started in Genesis 1–2. Were there animals in the original creation before sin? Yes. So unless we see something that is explicit to the contrary, we should expect that animals will be present in the New Creation.

What’s more, recall that humanity will reign alongside God in the New Creation (Revelation 22:5). Over whom will we reign? If Genesis 1:26–28 are any indication (and again, they seem to portray the same activity as Revelation 22:5), then we can be utterly confident that there will be animals in the New Creation.

Of course, when most people ask this question, they are likely wondering about a pet that has died. Do dogs “go to heaven”? The Bible does not say one way or the other, though Joni Eareckson Tada has a thought worth considering:

“If God brings our pets back to life, it wouldn’t surprise me. It would be just like Him. It would be totally in keeping with His generous character. . . . Exorbitant. Excessive. Extravagant in grace after grace. Of all the dazzling discoveries and ecstatic pleasures heaven will hold for us, the potential of seeing Scrappy would be pure whimsy—utterly, joyfully, surprisingly superfluous. . . . Heaven is going to be a place that will refract and reflect in as many ways as possible the goodness and joy of our great God, who delights in lavishing love on His children.” (quoted in Heaven by Randy Alcorn, digital edition)

Will animals be in the New Creation? Absolutely. Will our pets? It would fit within God’s character for them to be there, but we cannot be sure either way.

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Questions on the Afterlife: "If we know some loved ones are in hell, how can we truly be happy? https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife-- https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife--#comments Sun, 17 Sep 2017 07:00:00 -0500 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife-- This is an exceedingly difficult question to answer because it seems as though the thought of eternal conscious punishment of anyone would put a damper on our happiness in the New Creation, let alone the thought of the eternal conscious punishment of those we loved dearly in this life. To make matters even more concerning, I think there is a question hidden within this question that is even more important to us: “How could God really be a ‘good and loving God’ if I am concerned about the eternal suffering of others while he seems not to be?”

Let’s answer the second question first. 

God is concerned with the eternal suffering of humanity. Scripture tells us that God desires that all would be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), and the very possibility of salvation for those who were dead in their sins shows that God doesn’t want humanity to be condemned to hell. 

It is the height of arrogance and foolishness to think that we are more compassionate than God. Whether we realize it or not, this question hidden within our first question reveals to us that we do not know God as we ought, because we assume ourselves more compassionate than he is. Rest assured in this: God loves your loved ones infinitely more than you could ever fathom.

But now the first question; “How can we be happy knowing others are suffering in hell?” If our first question betrayed a lack knowledge of God in this life, this question betrays a lack of love for God in this life. 

I say that because if we truly loved God as we ought, then we would truly understand how offensive sin is to God’s holiness and character. Much like the old hymn, “It is Well,” the person who sees sin as the scourge it is to God would look at those who have received the just punishment for their sin and cry out, “It is well with my soul.”

It does not sound compassionate, and indeed it can sound downright calloused, but in the New Creation, the people of God will know God and love God so much that the awareness of hell will not cause a lack of happiness but rather an affirmation of God’s righteous judgments from the whole heavenly host. The notion of such a response sounds unthinkable to us in this life.

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This is an exceedingly difficult question to answer because it seems as though the thought of eternal conscious punishment of anyone would put a damper on our happiness in the New Creation, let alone the thought of the eternal conscious punishment of those we loved dearly in this life. To make matters even more concerning, I think there is a question hidden within this question that is even more important to us: “How could God really be a ‘good and loving God’ if I am concerned about the eternal suffering of others while he seems not to be?”

Let’s answer the second question first. 

God is concerned with the eternal suffering of humanity. Scripture tells us that God desires that all would be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), and the very possibility of salvation for those who were dead in their sins shows that God doesn’t want humanity to be condemned to hell. 

It is the height of arrogance and foolishness to think that we are more compassionate than God. Whether we realize it or not, this question hidden within our first question reveals to us that we do not know God as we ought, because we assume ourselves more compassionate than he is. Rest assured in this: God loves your loved ones infinitely more than you could ever fathom.

But now the first question; “How can we be happy knowing others are suffering in hell?” If our first question betrayed a lack knowledge of God in this life, this question betrays a lack of love for God in this life. 

I say that because if we truly loved God as we ought, then we would truly understand how offensive sin is to God’s holiness and character. Much like the old hymn, “It is Well,” the person who sees sin as the scourge it is to God would look at those who have received the just punishment for their sin and cry out, “It is well with my soul.”

It does not sound compassionate, and indeed it can sound downright calloused, but in the New Creation, the people of God will know God and love God so much that the awareness of hell will not cause a lack of happiness but rather an affirmation of God’s righteous judgments from the whole heavenly host. The notion of such a response sounds unthinkable to us in this life.

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Questions on the Afterlife: "Should I trust near-death experiences?" https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife--should-i-trust-near-death-experiences- https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife--should-i-trust-near-death-experiences-#comments Sun, 17 Sep 2017 07:00:00 -0500 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife--should-i-trust-near-death-experiences- Every so often, there is a new book or movie released claiming a personal experience with life after death. Many of these books become best sellers (and later inspire movie adaptations). But should we trust these accounts? It depends on what you mean by “trust.” 

Some people “trust” in these near-death experiences as a replacement for the Bible. Whether they realize it or not, they can rely on these accounts as validation that the afterlife is real, when we already have all that God chose to reveal in the Bible. 

Indeed, the beginning of Hebrews tells us that while we may have questions, God has revealed all that we need for salvation, life, and godliness in Jesus (Hebrews 1:1–2). We can have utmost confidence in the revelation of God’s Word and its depiction of the afterlife. That’s how Jesus ends the book of Revelation, saying that we can have confidence that these things will come to pass because he is the one who has declared it (Revelation 22:6, 20). So if by “trust in near-death experiences” we mean, “Look to them as proof of the afterlife,” the answer is unequivocally “no.”

On the other hand, some people ask if we can “trust” these experiences as being “true or not.” In that case, the answer is, “It depends.” The Bible contains examples of people who have visions of the afterlife: John in the book of Revelation, Paul in 2 Corinthians 12, and possibly Lazarus in John 11. These experiences are possible, according to the Bible. Does that mean that everyone who claims to have a vision of the afterlife has actually had one? No. But it does mean that it is possible.

At the end of the day, we must weigh these different accounts against what we know to be true: the Bible (cf. 1 John 4:1). If someone claims to have seen something that doesn’t align with what the Scriptures teach, then we must reject this teaching outright. But if they align with the Bible’s view of the afterlife, it is possible. No matter the case, we must strive to place our fullest confidence not in the experience of others, but solely in the testimony of the one who said, “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).

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Every so often, there is a new book or movie released claiming a personal experience with life after death. Many of these books become best sellers (and later inspire movie adaptations). But should we trust these accounts? It depends on what you mean by “trust.” 

Some people “trust” in these near-death experiences as a replacement for the Bible. Whether they realize it or not, they can rely on these accounts as validation that the afterlife is real, when we already have all that God chose to reveal in the Bible. 

Indeed, the beginning of Hebrews tells us that while we may have questions, God has revealed all that we need for salvation, life, and godliness in Jesus (Hebrews 1:1–2). We can have utmost confidence in the revelation of God’s Word and its depiction of the afterlife. That’s how Jesus ends the book of Revelation, saying that we can have confidence that these things will come to pass because he is the one who has declared it (Revelation 22:6, 20). So if by “trust in near-death experiences” we mean, “Look to them as proof of the afterlife,” the answer is unequivocally “no.”

On the other hand, some people ask if we can “trust” these experiences as being “true or not.” In that case, the answer is, “It depends.” The Bible contains examples of people who have visions of the afterlife: John in the book of Revelation, Paul in 2 Corinthians 12, and possibly Lazarus in John 11. These experiences are possible, according to the Bible. Does that mean that everyone who claims to have a vision of the afterlife has actually had one? No. But it does mean that it is possible.

At the end of the day, we must weigh these different accounts against what we know to be true: the Bible (cf. 1 John 4:1). If someone claims to have seen something that doesn’t align with what the Scriptures teach, then we must reject this teaching outright. But if they align with the Bible’s view of the afterlife, it is possible. No matter the case, we must strive to place our fullest confidence not in the experience of others, but solely in the testimony of the one who said, “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).

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Questions on the Afterlife: "Will a baby age or stay a baby in heaven?" https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife- https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife-#comments Fri, 08 Sep 2017 11:00:00 -0500 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife- On September 17th, we will spend some time looking at the question of whether those who die in infancy go to heaven or not. For right now, we want to look at a question that assumes that at least some do indeed go to heaven upon their death.

But what then? What happens after these little ones end up in God’s presence in the intermediate heaven? Do they age in the same way they would have in this creation? Do they remain in infancy for all eternity? Or do they end up “immediately” becoming an adult in God’s presence? The Bible is not at all clear on this topic, so whatever conclusion we reach should be done with great humility and charity toward other positions.

On the one hand, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to little children (Matthew 19:14), though in the context he seems to be referring to a child-like faith, not solely to age. There are passages from the Old Testament that refer to children being present in at least some part of God’s future plans to usher in the New Creation (Isaiah 11:8–9), though again—these possibly refer to the millennium and not the New Creation, and certainly not to the intermediate heaven.

On the other hand, the book of Revelation describes the types of activities in which the saints participate in the New Creation and in the intermediate heaven (Revelation 7:9–17; 22:3–5). For all eternity, the saints will worship God and will reign with him, both which imply at least some sort of mental development not found in infancy.

So the Bible seems to imply that the saints will appear before God at a greater age than infancy, but to say anymore would be speculation. We know from Paul’s teaching on the resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15) that our bodies will not decay, but he says nothing concerning the “age” we will “appear” in the New Creation or before God’s throne.

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On September 17th, we will spend some time looking at the question of whether those who die in infancy go to heaven or not. For right now, we want to look at a question that assumes that at least some do indeed go to heaven upon their death.

But what then? What happens after these little ones end up in God’s presence in the intermediate heaven? Do they age in the same way they would have in this creation? Do they remain in infancy for all eternity? Or do they end up “immediately” becoming an adult in God’s presence? The Bible is not at all clear on this topic, so whatever conclusion we reach should be done with great humility and charity toward other positions.

On the one hand, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to little children (Matthew 19:14), though in the context he seems to be referring to a child-like faith, not solely to age. There are passages from the Old Testament that refer to children being present in at least some part of God’s future plans to usher in the New Creation (Isaiah 11:8–9), though again—these possibly refer to the millennium and not the New Creation, and certainly not to the intermediate heaven.

On the other hand, the book of Revelation describes the types of activities in which the saints participate in the New Creation and in the intermediate heaven (Revelation 7:9–17; 22:3–5). For all eternity, the saints will worship God and will reign with him, both which imply at least some sort of mental development not found in infancy.

So the Bible seems to imply that the saints will appear before God at a greater age than infancy, but to say anymore would be speculation. We know from Paul’s teaching on the resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15) that our bodies will not decay, but he says nothing concerning the “age” we will “appear” in the New Creation or before God’s throne.

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Questions on the Afterlife: "In heaven will we still be male and female?" https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife-_2 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife-_2#comments Fri, 08 Sep 2017 11:00:00 -0500 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife-_2 In Jesus’s teaching on marriage in the New Creation, he declares that there will be no more marriage in the resurrection (Luke 20:34–36). In that teaching, Jesus says that the children of God will be “like angels”. Some interpret this statement to suggest that humans will become genderless in the New Creation.

But this interpretation doesn’t seem to line up with the rest of what the Bible teaches. Remember, we will spend eternity in the New Creation in our resurrected bodies. Those resurrected bodies will be real, authentic human bodies that have a great deal of continuity with our current bodies. In other words, while your resurrected body will be glorified, purified, and perfected, it will still look like you!

Gender is a God-created aspect of humanity. What’s more, when Jesus appeared in his own resurrected body, he was still male (John 20–21, especially John 20:15). Jesus’s resurrected body is the firstfruits of our own resurrected bodies (1 Corinthians 15:20). It seems that we will spend all eternity as male and female, just as we are today.

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In Jesus’s teaching on marriage in the New Creation, he declares that there will be no more marriage in the resurrection (Luke 20:34–36). In that teaching, Jesus says that the children of God will be “like angels”. Some interpret this statement to suggest that humans will become genderless in the New Creation.

But this interpretation doesn’t seem to line up with the rest of what the Bible teaches. Remember, we will spend eternity in the New Creation in our resurrected bodies. Those resurrected bodies will be real, authentic human bodies that have a great deal of continuity with our current bodies. In other words, while your resurrected body will be glorified, purified, and perfected, it will still look like you!

Gender is a God-created aspect of humanity. What’s more, when Jesus appeared in his own resurrected body, he was still male (John 20–21, especially John 20:15). Jesus’s resurrected body is the firstfruits of our own resurrected bodies (1 Corinthians 15:20). It seems that we will spend all eternity as male and female, just as we are today.

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Questions on the Afterlife: "How do we respond to claims of communicating with the dead?" https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife--how-should-we-respond-to-those-who-claim-to-communicate-with-the-dead- https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife--how-should-we-respond-to-those-who-claim-to-communicate-with-the-dead-#comments Fri, 08 Sep 2017 11:00:00 -0500 https://spencer.crosswinds.tv/crosswinds-blog/post/questions-on-the-afterlife--how-should-we-respond-to-those-who-claim-to-communicate-with-the-dead- When we look at the Bible, we see clearly that those who participate in necromancy are in violation to God’s Law (Leviticus 20:6, 27). The idea of seeking guidance from the spiritual world apart from God is something that God’s covenant community should have nothing to do with, and one of the most admirable parts of King Saul’s brief reign is that he cast the necromancers out of the nation of Israel (1 Samuel 28:3).

Yet while the Bible clearly condemns the thought of seeking guidance from the dead, it doesn’t tell us the validity of those who claim to communicate with the dead. Perhaps the most well-known and helpful passage for addressing this question is 1 Samuel 28, where Saul meets with the “witch of En-dor,” to conjure up the spirit of Samuel.

1 Samuel 28 takes place the day before Saul’s death at the hands of the Philistines and shows us clearly the demise and fall of the king. Before you continue reading this post, I encourage you to take a few moments to read through 1 Samuel 28 and familiarize yourself with this passage.

1 Samuel 28 starts out not by talking of Saul’s visit to a medium, but instead with a bind that David finds himself in. David has gone to live among the Philistines for 16 months (1 Samuel 27:7) to escape the constant threat of Saul. During this time, David continually raids the pagan nations surrounding Israel, but the Philistines think that he is raiding his own people.

Here in 1 Samuel 28, David is confronted with a difficult situation: the Philistines are headed to battle the Israelites, and David’s presence is requested for the battle. What will David do? He is the anointed one, but if he travels with the Philistines and attacks Israel, he will surely lose his place as the heir to the throne.

The chapter doesn’t answer the question, and the reader is left wondering what will take place until chapter 29. For the rest of chapter 28, we turn our attention to the current king who is also in a bind: the people of Philistia are coming to attack Israel but God has utterly forsaken him.

Desperate for some guidance, Saul travels through the Philistine camp to visit a necromancer. The emphasis in verse 3 on Saul’s expulsion of the necromancers at the beginning of his reign shows how far he has fallen on the eve before his death; this is a man who has not followed God faithfully for some time and is about to lose the kingdom completely.

When Saul asks the woman to conjure up Samuel for him, we may be surprised that Samuel does indeed appear (1 Samuel 28:8–19). This leaves us with two possible interpretations of what has taken place:

  1. The woman is actually capable of summoning the dead.
  2. This is an “exception to the rule” so to speak, where God allows this to take place to affirm Saul’s impending doom.

So which is it? If it is the first, then that doesn’t mean that it is therefore “permissible” in God’s eyes. Indeed, the Bible tells us that Satan is able to perform “signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). 

But it is more likely that the second explanation is the correct one, because the woman responds with great surprise in verse 12. It seems like the woman has been living as a “fraud” this entire time, and she is shocked when she actually does conjure up the spirit of Samuel! It seems as though God has “allowed” this abominable practice to take place to further affirm Saul’s fate.

So how should we respond to those who claim to be able to communicate with the dead? For one, we should respond with a heavy dose of skepticism; it is far more likely that this person is communicating with evil spirits rather than than with the dead. But even more importantly, we should remember the prohibitions of Scripture and not place our hope in a place other than God (Isaiah 8:19).

Remember Jesus’s words in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus:

“And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”” (Luke 16:30–31 ESV)

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When we look at the Bible, we see clearly that those who participate in necromancy are in violation to God’s Law (Leviticus 20:6, 27). The idea of seeking guidance from the spiritual world apart from God is something that God’s covenant community should have nothing to do with, and one of the most admirable parts of King Saul’s brief reign is that he cast the necromancers out of the nation of Israel (1 Samuel 28:3).

Yet while the Bible clearly condemns the thought of seeking guidance from the dead, it doesn’t tell us the validity of those who claim to communicate with the dead. Perhaps the most well-known and helpful passage for addressing this question is 1 Samuel 28, where Saul meets with the “witch of En-dor,” to conjure up the spirit of Samuel.

1 Samuel 28 takes place the day before Saul’s death at the hands of the Philistines and shows us clearly the demise and fall of the king. Before you continue reading this post, I encourage you to take a few moments to read through 1 Samuel 28 and familiarize yourself with this passage.

1 Samuel 28 starts out not by talking of Saul’s visit to a medium, but instead with a bind that David finds himself in. David has gone to live among the Philistines for 16 months (1 Samuel 27:7) to escape the constant threat of Saul. During this time, David continually raids the pagan nations surrounding Israel, but the Philistines think that he is raiding his own people.

Here in 1 Samuel 28, David is confronted with a difficult situation: the Philistines are headed to battle the Israelites, and David’s presence is requested for the battle. What will David do? He is the anointed one, but if he travels with the Philistines and attacks Israel, he will surely lose his place as the heir to the throne.

The chapter doesn’t answer the question, and the reader is left wondering what will take place until chapter 29. For the rest of chapter 28, we turn our attention to the current king who is also in a bind: the people of Philistia are coming to attack Israel but God has utterly forsaken him.

Desperate for some guidance, Saul travels through the Philistine camp to visit a necromancer. The emphasis in verse 3 on Saul’s expulsion of the necromancers at the beginning of his reign shows how far he has fallen on the eve before his death; this is a man who has not followed God faithfully for some time and is about to lose the kingdom completely.

When Saul asks the woman to conjure up Samuel for him, we may be surprised that Samuel does indeed appear (1 Samuel 28:8–19). This leaves us with two possible interpretations of what has taken place:

  1. The woman is actually capable of summoning the dead.
  2. This is an “exception to the rule” so to speak, where God allows this to take place to affirm Saul’s impending doom.

So which is it? If it is the first, then that doesn’t mean that it is therefore “permissible” in God’s eyes. Indeed, the Bible tells us that Satan is able to perform “signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). 

But it is more likely that the second explanation is the correct one, because the woman responds with great surprise in verse 12. It seems like the woman has been living as a “fraud” this entire time, and she is shocked when she actually does conjure up the spirit of Samuel! It seems as though God has “allowed” this abominable practice to take place to further affirm Saul’s fate.

So how should we respond to those who claim to be able to communicate with the dead? For one, we should respond with a heavy dose of skepticism; it is far more likely that this person is communicating with evil spirits rather than than with the dead. But even more importantly, we should remember the prohibitions of Scripture and not place our hope in a place other than God (Isaiah 8:19).

Remember Jesus’s words in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus:

“And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”” (Luke 16:30–31 ESV)

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