Apparitions: Mystic Phenomena and What They Mean [Paperback]

Kevin Orlin, Ph.D. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0965366006 | ISBN-13: 978-0965366007 | Publication Date: May 13, 1998 | Edition: 1

Apparitions looks far beyond the appearance of heavenly or hellish beings to human sight. Kevin Orlin Johnson, Ph.D., author of the best-selling Why Do Catholics Do That? and Rosary: Mysteries, Meditations, and the Telling of the Beads, gives clear, reliable answers to a whole spectrum of questions about the most intriguing paranormal religious phenomena, including the aura of radiant light, bilocation, incombustibility of living bodies and incorruptibility of the dead, compenetration of bodies, ecstasy, flames of love, images found on the heart during autopsy, levitation, living without food, drink, or sleep, miraculous cures, regeneration of missing tissue, the odor of sanctity, stigmata, supernatural strength, sweating blood, traversing space and time instantaneously, awareness of the presence of god, discernment of spirits, mystic marriage, the gift of tears, the wound of love diabolic obsession (poltergeists), demonic possession, visionary fraud, and much more. With the Imprimatur of the Most Reverend Charles Grahmann, D.D., Bishop of Dallas, Apparitions includes a complete Glossary and full Index that make it easy to find clear, accurate information about anything in the field of the paranormal. And it has a unique special section on how these paranormal events are judged and how you can tell them from illusions, hallucinations, and natural dreams, as well as from frauds, delusions, and the counterfeits of the Devil. Apparitions is the only comprehensive reference available today for those who want to interpret these dazzling supernatural events in their Biblical context, to see how they fit into the context of Christianity, and understand clearly what they mean for our daily lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An astonishing performance! Johnson gives clear, accurate explanations of the full spectrum of mystic phenomena, masterfully presented with an unparalleled knowledge of the material. Apparitions is an indispensable reference for anyone interested in the paranormal, and a joy to read, besides. -- Ladislav Zgusta, Director Emeritus, Center for Advanced Study, University of Illinois

Apparitions covers a wide spectrum of what the contemporary world calls the paranormal, authoritatively and well. Definitive in its synthesis, rich in its coverage, and of the highest scholarly standard, Apparitions deserves careful consideration by anyone interested in mystic phenomena. A joy to read because of its clarity and verve-a very readable book. -- R. W. Carstens, Ph.D., Ohio Dominican College

Apparitions is an indispensable reference for anyone interested in the paranormal, and a joy to read, besides... No other book available today relates mystic phenomena so clearly to each other. None shows so effectively their role as an integral part of Christianity. A wonderful book, a book of marvels. -- Mark Lowery, Department of Theology, University of Dallas

Johnson's Apparitions must be the definitive book on mystic phenomena of all kinds. It relates a rich and dazzling array of information drawn from two thousand years of historical documentation. It's a fascinating read, but it's also a masterful work of the highest scholarly standard; its scope, depth, and richness are unparalleled in any other book I know of, past or present. -- Karl Keating, President, Catholic Answers

Most impressive - a masterpiece. A rich and dazzling array of theological and practical information. Appeals to a wide audience from scholar to casual reader. A reference work for the bookshelf. Will be recommended to my students! -- Rev. Robert M. Coerver, Director for the Spiritual Development of Sacramental Life, Diocese of Dallas

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Again, the primary principle in thinking about any mystic phenomenon, or any report of one, is that you can take it or leave it; you're free to believe or disbelieve, no matter what. But you're not necessarily free to attack; in fairness you'd have to look at the matter logically, as the Church does, and also to evaluate logically the pronouncements of those who always stand ready to debunk any and all reports, even reports of events judged creditable. In fact, the major problem that clouds understanding of mystic phenomena these days is simply that so few people know how to think. Most of us aren't taught logic in grade school, any more, which makes us figure that everything's a matter of opinion orfeeling; that makes it extraordinarily difficult for competent professionals to communicate their perfectly valid procedures and findings to us. It sets us up as easy marks for all kinds of irrationality when we look at a reported mystic event (or even when we vote or serve on juries, which is really frightening). And although most debunkers clamor for logic and science in the investigation of mystic phenomena, most of their arguments fall into one or another of the fallacies that logic and science prohibit. You don't have to be a scientist yourself to sort it all out. Logical fallacies are basically apparent to common sense, if you think about them: but think!, as Dt 10:14 phrases it so well. Take your time and think.

Primarily, the fallacies in many debunkers' work center on the logical impossibility of trying to prove a negative proposition: nobody can prove that something did not happen. The best that you can do is to prove that something else happened that excludes the event that you want to disprove. For example, the proposition that Person A did not steal something is a negative proposition, and you can't prove it directly; you can only prove that Person B stole it, which means, logically, that Person A didn't. An alibi does the same thing: it doesn't prove that the accused didn't do it, but only that he couldn't have; it demonstrates only that something else happened that makes the accusation impossible. Debunkers often charge off in the wrong direction, trying to prove that a mystic event didn't happen. Nobody can do that. But they can't even prove that something else happened that excludes the possibility of a genuine mystic event. To understand why they can't, you have to think about the three separate factors that have to be considered in any investigation: the cause of the event, the event itself, and the event's appearances. You already know all about these and about their logical relationships, but you might not automatically apply what you know to accounts of mystic phenomena and debunkers' attempts to disprove them. For instance, if a professional illusionist can duplicate the physical appearances of an allegedly miraculous event-the way that the Pharaoh's magicians did (Ex 7:8-13)-it doesn't logically prove anything about the event itself, because two separate events that result from two different causes can have the same appearances.

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Pangaevs Pr; 1 edition (May 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965366006
• ISBN-13: 978-0965366007
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #630,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough, well documented and readable collection., March 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Apparitions: Mystic Phenomena and What They Mean (Paperback)

This book is a very readable collection of authentic mystic events and phenomena. The emphasis is on people and events that are well documented and the likelihood of fraud is low. There are also chapters on the demonic and on outright frauds. Many of the chapters stand on their own so you can read what you want in any order you want. The weakest part of the book is in some of the footnotes which can be a bit opinionated, though most of them were quite interesting. Naturalists (materialists) would find this book challenging to their beliefs while I found much that bolstered my faith.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book -- learn something!, September 7, 1999

By 

Nancy Wiebmer (Minneapolis MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apparitions: Mystic Phenomena and What They Mean (Paperback)

This is a great book ... a believable book...about some of the greatest mysteries in the world.

Has Mary appeared with warnings for the world? What about the Stigmata -- is it really the wounds of Christ or simply psychosis?

Kevin Orlin Johnson is an outstanding author -- anyone would enjoy his books. Not only are they fun to read...but you also actually learn something! He's given me a new appreciation for how the Church can stand up to an intellectually rigorous process.

Tired of Christian pablum? Give this book a try!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must" for students of mystic phenomena & metaphysics., May 4, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apparitions: Mystic Phenomena and What They Mean (Paperback)

Apparitions explains mystic phenomena, from auras and levitation to ecstasy and regenerative processes. This is the only general mystical title to carry the Catholic Church's official certification of freedom from error and will appeal to Catholic holdings as an unusual, important coverage.