The Christian view on communicating with the dead is generally clear across most denominations: it is considered forbidden and against the teachings of Scripture. This view is based on several Bible verses that warn against necromancy, the act of communicating with the dead, or attempting to summon spirits.
Relevant Bible Verses:
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (Bold): “There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you.”
- Leviticus 19:31 (Bold): “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.”
- Isaiah 8:19 (Bold): “And when they say to you, ‘Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,’ should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?”
Three Main Takeaways:
- Communication with the dead is prohibited: The Bible clearly forbids seeking out or communicating with the dead through mediums, necromancers, or other practices. These actions are considered an abomination to God.
- Seek God instead: The Bible encourages us to seek guidance and answers from God rather than the dead. In times of need, prayer and scripture reading are the appropriate ways to seek help and understanding.
- Trust in God’s plan: The prohibition against communicating with the dead underlines a trust in God’s sovereignty and plan for our lives. It teaches that we should rely on God for guidance and resist the temptation to seek answers from the dead or other forbidden practices.
In summary, the Bible’s stance on communicating with the dead is clear across multiple passages, warning against the practice and encouraging reliance on God instead.
