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The Truth Behind Ghosts, Mediums, and Psychic Phenomena

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How do you counterattack the supernatural bombardment our modern world undergoes? The Truth Behind Ghosts, Mediums & Psychic Phenomena provides the reader with ample, relevant warnings and ammunition. Opening with dramatized examples of people who have sought psychic help, this book gives lucid accounts of the various types of psychic information flooding our lives, from TV shows like Ghost Whisperer and movies like The Sixth Sense to paranormal education courses in local schools; from psychic fairs and retreats to occult board games like Bloody Mary.

Rhodes then discusses modern roots and causes of the contemporary move towards a theology of the spirits. A primer on types of psychic phenomena adds to readers' understanding of relevant terms from more commonly known ones, such as occultism and divination, to lesser known such as psychometry, clairaudience and clairalience. Building on this background, Rhodes delves into the truth behind it all. Firmly founded on Bible passages, the whole subject area is brought under the research microscope, looking at the frauds and how they are perpetrated, as well as the gullibility of the audience, and manipulation by demons. An interesting section compares the psychic view and the Christian view of the Bible, Christ, God, humanity, and sin and salvation. A final chapter encourages Christians to look to the Lord and not to psychics, with a special warning against those claiming affiliation with Christianity.

The Truth Behind Ghosts, Mediums & Psychic Phenomena provides important reading for Christians, and makes a useful reference book for your Bible study bookshelf. A timely dissertation, this volume clearly and succinctly presents a large amount of important information. With its opening examples of people seeking psychic help, Rhodes will catch the interest of and help those who lean towards the occult. Author of the book Answering the Objections of Atheists, Agnostics, and Skeptics, and president of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries, Ron Rhodes brings much expertise to this subject. He takes research very seriously, referring to it throughout this volume, and listing it in a closing section of text notes. - Donna Eggett, Christian Book [...]

As a fan of Ron Rhode's succinct yet in-depth analysis on a variety of topics, I was thrilled to see this book. It is an eye-opening look into a spiritual hunger that each of us possess and one that more and more of our teens are tapping into.

In this book, Ron Rhodes lays out a framework for the thoughtful reader to discover Biblical truths on their own. He spans a number of topics in an easy to read and very clear manner; opening your eyes to the allure of supernatural encounters. His treatment of the subject matter and analysis of a number of highly popular public figures in the Psychic world is fair and NOT done in a condescending tone. He cites a number of references allowing people to go deeper in their understanding. I appreciated the Biblical references throughout. It is a well-researched book; one that will enlighten and challenge your thinking about the supernatural and any views you may have held previously.

Psychics, mediums, and ghosts have become a sensation in our culture today. Ron Rhodes, respected and popular biblical scholar, tackles the truth about ghosts and those who say they communicate with them and answers the questions:



What accounts for 73 percent of America's youth experimenting with psychic phenomena?
Is it true that the United States government has engaged in psychic experiments?
What kinds of ghost encounters are people today claiming to experience?
Are dead people actually among us as ghosts?
Do ghosts exist in any shape or form? What is the evidence?
What are we to make of poltergeists?
Can the dead be contacted during seances?
Can psychics really talk with spirits and predict the future?
What is the real truth about psychics James van Praagh, John Edward, and Sylvia Browne?
How accurate are psychic predictions?
What do psychics believe about God, Jesus, and salvation?
What really happens when we "cross over" to the "Other Side"?
How has the paranormal become the new normal in some sectors of our society?
Why is there a rise in psychic phenomena today?
What is Satan's role with the paranormal?
How can parents protect their family from the psychic trend?

When I purchased this book, I thought it would be primarily on ghosts and "ghostly activity." I was somewhat disappointed to discover that it focused primarily on psychics and psychic phenomena. While the topic of ghosts was mentioned in the book, it wasn't much compared to the amount of space dedicated to debunking the activities of Sylvia Browne, John Edward, and the like.

Despite that, I still enjoyed and learned from it. It gives a very good insight on the psychic view of the afterlife and what happens when we die. I would recommend it to those interested in a biblical perspective on mind reading, speaking with ghosts, seyances, and the like.

Rhodes reveals methods of trickery used by mediums and psychics to account for their times of accuracy. He also admits that not all mediums and psychics are fakes but proves based on biblical scripture that their revelations are derived from evil sources. Not a necessary read for someone who knows and practices biblical teachings but a good refresher and reference for someone who has lost their way.

If you are looking for Biblical defense against psychic phenomena save your money and Google the verses. Over half of this book is spent giving recaps of the various psychic type television shows, movies and books...Ghost Hunters, Ghost Whisperer, Dead Tenants, The Sixth Sense, Poltergeist... Another portion of the book focuses in on specific psychics; Van Praagh, Browne and Edwards seem to be his favorites. If you want to cut to the chase start at Chapter 8, the rest is mostly fluff. Although Rhodes theorizes that psychics use a combination of fraudulent techniques and demonic activities he fails to prove the later.

In summary, this wasn't a bad read but I didn't take away from it anything I didn't already know besides some information regarding TV shows and movies.

Most of us grew up telling ghost stories, but we outgrew them. However a large number of people today actually believe in ghosts. Movies with psychic themes are popular and even romance novels have a paranormal genre. Most of these things, on the surface, seem innocent, but as Ron Rhodes points out, there is a hidden danger. By indulging in the occult, we are opening our minds to dangerous influences we can't control.

The Bible makes it clear that ghosts don't exist. When a person dies, the spirit doesn't hang around to take care of unfinished business. But while ghosts don't exist, demons do. Satan has his angels too, and they are quick to do his bidding. The Bible warns us to stay from anything dealing with the occult, but psychics and mediums receive a lot of attention these days. Ron Rhodes does a good job of explaining these tricksters and giving biblical passages to back up his words. This book will give you all the information you need to talk to family members and friends who have been seduced by the occult. It will also be a great asset for teachers working with youth. Our young Christians are bombarded with paranormal influences every day. The Truth Behind Ghosts, mediums and Phenomena will add another weapon to your arsenal in fighting the powers of darkness.

Bought this for my son n law for his birthday. I think it had many good ideas for the christian and view of all this ghost adventures things on TV.

Ron Rhodes does a great job in this book! Anyone that is interested in the paranormal - whether from a Christian or secular view - should read this book. We are bombarded everyday by so called psychics, ghosts, horoscopes, and Oprah Winfrey :-) so make sure you know what is really behind all of these practices and be very careful that you are NOT deceived! Even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.

Great book and the title says it all. Easy read. Good information to know. I recommend it.