Unexplained Paranormal Phenomena
Posted: Thursday, December 18, 2008
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
We have all heard of tall tales and folk lore, from as far back as the 17 th and 18 th centuries. Many of those older ones can easily be brushed aside as figments of the imagination or of some other reason due to the lack of today's technological and other scientific knowledge in that day. But many were, even with today's understanding, left unexplained unless they can be dismissed as fraudulent. Acts of the mind seems to predominate in those that were left open to conjecture. There are tales (considered reports then) of men who could literally ignite cloth or paper with nothing except their breath. Reports of instances of psycho kinesis (PK), extrasensory perception (ESP), clairvoyance and prophecy.
One very interesting story of one of the "fire breathing" men comes from a story of A.W. Underwood, born in 1858 in Paw Paw, Michigan. Little is known of his youth but when he was grown, it became known that he could hold a cloth handkerchief of piece of paper over his mouth and by puckering his lips almost to the point of whistling, could blow through the material and ignite it. Now this was not one of our circus flame blowers, or swallowers who use a lighter fluid in their mouths to blow into an igniter. A local doctor examined him thoroughly, washed his mouth and nasal passages thoroughly and while he and other witnesses watched, had him do the act a number of times.
You may visit the website carrying the complete article on Mr. Underwood and other instances of unexplained phenomena including another story of an unidentified man who was capable of igniting flammable materials with his breath as Mr. Underwood. Following is a paragraph taken from the article which gives the brief account of the other man.
A similar case was reported In 1927, when Vice President of the U.S., Charles Dawes, personally investigated the case of a car mechanic in Memphis, Tennessee, who supposedly had the mysterious ability to set inflammable material alight merely by breathing on it. The man took General Dawes' handkerchief, breathed on it, and it caught fire. Dawes and his colleagues decided that it was no trick, and since no reasonable explanation could be found, it was left unexplained . (mysterious people.com) http://www.mysteriouspeople.com/fire_breather.htm
Extrasensory perception is another fascinating study to me. Here is Wikipedia's explanation of what it is:
"Extrasensory perception (ESP) (or extra-sensory perception) is the apparent ability to acquire information by paranormal means independent of any known physical senses or deduction from previous experience. The term was coined by Duke University researcher J. B. Rhine to denote psychic abilities such as telepathy , precognition , and clairvoyance . ESP is also sometimes casually referred to as a sixth sense , gut instinct, hunch, or intuition. The term implies sources of information currently unexplained by science. Popular belief in ESP is widespread, with 41% of Americans believing it exists."
I do not believe there are any present day miracles. Not miracles that transcend natural laws. Some refer to miracles when events simply appear to be beyond natural laws but are actually not. But ESP does make me consider that there are surely things which we do not yet understand. I believe that there are people who have perceived things which were impossible to have been known to them through "natural" means. My oldest brother, now deceased, dreamed a dream in on February 17, 1936. He told us of the dream but would not tell the events of it. But he said it was the most vivid dream he had ever had and he said that he was told in the dream that a significant event would occur to our family in precisely two years from that date, 2/17/36. My father was 46 years old at that time and my mother was 42. He kept his word and never gave us any clue. But on February 17, 1938, a baby sister was born to our parents and he then said that was exactly his dream. The birth itself was natural and normal, the only unusual thing was their ages and the fact that the last birth in the family had been eight years before. And, it could be coincidence. But if so, it was one whale of a coincidence.
There have been numerous instances where people have foretold certain occurrences, even in detail, but more often, these are told after the fact and could be concocted. But a number have been told before the occurrence.
There seems to be the possibility that the human mind is almost capable of prophecy or clairvoyance. One theory which is espoused by the Baha'i religion and perhaps others, is that the mind, or spirit, of man is capable of infinitely more than is available to him so long as his spirit is captive of the fleshly body. And the mind is restricted to the physical brain and can function only as the electronic circuits are produced and allow thoughts and intents to act. And the minute bits of extra sensory activity happens due to some small peculiarity of one or more of the circuits. I'm not at all sure that I differ with that.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi Joel.Some days I believe in ESP and others I do not. My sister pretty much believes wholesale in the stuff. My mother would, 8 times out of ten, know who was on the phone when it rang. But then this is the same woman who kept a notebook in the glove compartment of our car and when we would play the game "how many miles to San Bernardino" (where we had to guess what the next sign would say), she would always win.Even so, I've had a number of experiences that I've been unable to explain. Physicists are fond of saying that given the size and complexity of the universe, anything is possible. And they mean anything. So who knows.Great article,DianneThanks for reading and commenting Dianne. Yes, you're right, just about anything can happen and does. I read about a young retarded fellow about 20 years old once whose brain was as undeveloped as a 2 year old. His mother was a piano player and played a lot. But one day, while she was in the next room doing something, beautiful music came from her piano and she looked and that boy was playing, and could play anything she had played. This could have been fraudently arranged but it sure sounded like truth and puts shivers into your spine.
Hi Joel, you say you don't believe in modern day miracles, I am wondering what you think of the gift of healing and knowledge and discerning of spirits? All the gifts of the spirit for that matter. Do you believe they are not for today? I know many people don't and I can't figure out why because we are told the gifts are given to us for edication of the body of Christ until the day of Christ's return and the body in finally united as one.I have been in many prayer groups where the pastor has anointed one with oil and we prayed for healing and it came to be. All Confirmed by the doctors and no medical treatment was ever given. Also, I have experience with demonic forces and mediums, and intercessory prayer. I have the gift of discerning of spirits and when God has his purpose, a word of knowledge.Granted much of the medium stuff is fake as people are taken advantage of, but some very real and Scripture talks about the spiritual realm all the time.Anyway, thanks in advance for elaborating on this for me. Blessings to you, TeresaUh-oh, I knew we'd part ways at some point. Now, I'll never speak to you again. NO, just kidding, I'll regard you just as highly as ever. I've said many times that I differ with many on several issues. That doesn't mean I have to be right, it is just what I believe the bible to teach.I wish you would go back and read my article of long time back. I said about as much as I can in it. That article # is swa253090But, let me ask you some questions. Has your prayer group and pastor ever raised the dead? When you prayed for a really sick person did they recover that instant? If not why not? The gift of discerning spirits you speak of was regarding those who spoke false doctrine or those who spoke truth. Some had the gift to discern which was being said. But my other article explains that and when those gifts ended and why. I'm not saying God does not answer prayer, but He doesn't do it in a miraculous manner, any more. He may intervene providentially in some cases. Why would he not have intervened then when the apostle Paul had a "thorn in the flesh"? His miracles were used only to confirm the word and help get the church underway until "that which was perfect" was come. That was His perfect law of liberty which was completed sometime around the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.Now, I'm not upset with you for differing with me, so don't you be upset with me for differing with you. God bless.Hi Joel!! I am so proud of you--you made a funny :-) I knew you had it it you, I can almost see the smile on your face. I like this side of you.I haven't gone back to read the article you referenced. I know what you are referring to and actually wondered if you felt this way, before this came up. I have heard that perspective many times, mostly coming from earlier theologians, but it never sat well with me for several reasons.For one, if those gifts are no longer for today, why would there be so much teaching on them? This thought would make Chapters 12-14 obsolete from 1 Corinthians, it would make James chapter 5:14-20 obsolete and Romans 12.2ndly - The purpose of the gifts are for the edification of the body of Christ until the fullness of Christ comes. I don't think the fullness of Christ is the Cannon of Scripture, but rather He Himself, in the end when we are all in on accord with Christ as Ephesians tells us. Also, I can't imagine the church not needing to be edified after AD 70. In fact, we are in bigger need now than ever. This leads me to the Corinthians passage you are referring to.I believe as well as many, scholars and theologians , that "that which is perfect" is Christ, not the cannonizing of Scripture. I cannot find anywhere in Scripture that this is what Paul was referring to. When we read the context of the Scripture it says, that now we see dimly--yes, we do not have complete spritual eyes, we never will until we see face to face - (I believe this if refering to Christ.) continuing in the passage, it says we will know just as we are known. This means completely. Scripture does not know me, but Christ knows me. When Christ returns, there will be no need for the gifts of the spirit, because we shall be like him, just as it says later in Corinthians.For me, believing it is the cannon of Scripture leaves many questions and causes much confusion in understanding much of scripture and I have seen it cripple believers because they are left wondering how it is that these gifts are still in use today by the many who believe that which is perfect has not come.You asked me why Paul wasn't healed when he prayed for healing. The answer is simple, it was not the Lord's will to heal him, but rather to show Himself strong on Paul's behalf and to show future generations that God's will always reigns. Also the timing of this request is important. Paul was previlged to see Glory, and even Paul believed his not being healed was to keep him humble. Just because Paul was not healed when he prayed, does not mean God stopped healing. Also, we need to remember, that Paul's prayer was before AD 70, so it had nothing to do with cannonizing of Scripture, it had to do with God's greater purpose.When Jesus healed it always took, that's because he had a pre-determined will to heal, but you and I do not know God's pre-determined will, so we pray according to faith. Why else would James tell us to anoint with oil, and pray for healing? And if that was only to last until the destruction of the temple why are we not told that anywhere else in Scripture other than the vague message in Cor. of "that which is perfect".As for my personal experiences,When we prayed for healing, we believe it was instant, but we cannot see cancer leave a body, but when she went to her doctor's appt the following week to have her check up before radiation was to begin, she has no trace of cancer in her body. For at least the next year that I studied with her.When I say I can discern spirits, I am talking about when I come across someone, a stranger even, that has an evil spirit surrounding them, or even in them, God set's off an alarm in my spirit and I immediatly pray, other times, God has warned me to leave the area immediately. As far as a word of knowledge and intercessary prayer, I have been in small groups when praying and God gave me a word of the specific situation I would not have otherwise known, I spoke a word of encouragment out loud. After our prayer time was up, the person approached me. We talked about it and prayed more. They were encouraged and God was glorified. Also, I know many people who excersise their gift of toungues. Do you suppose they are faking it?I completely respect your thoughts on this, but I think if you study from scholars of a different perspective, you might see how the perspective I lean toward is correct.The other biggy, is that Christians in oppressive countries excersise these gifts often. I know many missionaries that come home and share how God miraclously healed believers in tribes and places where there was no medical technology. God's spirit is alive and well and moving.Now, on the other hand. Satan is the fraud and copycat. And has used the abuse of these gifts by over zealous believers or those who want noterity to make fun of God's spritual gifts. And I think it is a tragedy what mediums and psychics are doing, Scripture is clear that this is demonic and God abhors it. There is no communication with the dead. Only once in Scripture and God was not pleased with Saul. Also, these so-called faith healers that knock people upside the head and they go falling to the ground. Or these guus on tv who blow the Holy Sprit to the other side of the statium and as soon as it lands on the person they fall to the floor--this is ungodly and dispicable. But I believe that abusing the gifts and using them for personal gain is just as sinful as rejecting the gifts all together.Not that I am calling you a sinner, I think you understand what I am saying. I have a great friend in our church who believes as you do, so much so that she has made others think that maybe they didn't have a strong of relationship with God as they thought because they had the gift of tongues which they excerised in their own prayer time. Its a sad thing. I spoke to her about it and told her that perhaps she is missing out on a fruitful and lively relationship with God herself. She didn't appreciate that and I told her, neither does the other person appreciate what you say to her by being insistant that God does not work that way anymore.Anyway, I respect your thoughts on this and even the great theologians who teach this, they have great stuff regarding the word of God, but this particlular area has much more evidence to support how I see the whole of Scripture. Not that I am right either, just going by the evidence.The beauty of this, is that no matter what, it does not effect the essential doctrine of Christianity and it is not an occasion to divide. Unfortunately, like I said, the persepective you hold to, has wounded many believers. Not you personally, I am sure, but I have seen it first hand.Now don't be getting visions of me swinging from the chandelers and speaking in tounges on street corners, and for the record I have never blown the Holy Spirit across the room. ...and to be fair, there are the extreme pentacostals that I disagree with as well, especially when they say a person cannot be saved unless they speak in tounges....Do I speak in tounges, I'll never tell :-)Love and blessings dear brother in Christ.Bless you Teresa. I can see that I am going to have to write another article. You've said too much for me to reply to here in these comments. (Just like a woman)Let me just address one of your items here. Speaking in tongues is one of the most misunderstood and abused things in the Bible. Where it is used is ONLY speaking of those who had a gift of speaking in one or more different languages which they had never known or studied, so as to miraculously speak to those of other languages. If they were to speak in one of those different languages among some of their own language, they were required to have an interpreter.This business of just jabbering and no one in the world knows what is being said, including the speaker, is so foolish it is an abomination to God. Tongues are languages. I challenge any one of those today who claims to have that gift, to speak in some legitimate language which they have never studied or known. They can't do it.Also, Paul is not vague in 1 Corinthians 13, when you realize what he is saying it is as plain as day. Until the entire new testament was written and distributed (Not necessarily canonized by men) they kenw in part and they prophesied in part. That was the only reason each Christian was given a gift when the apostles laid their hands on them, so all aspects of the gospel could be taught and spread. Now, man has everything he needs to guide him in life and godliness...and all he is ever going to get.Hi Joel,I agree that tounges is the most widely misunderstood and abused gifts in the bible. Paul was very clear on how the gift was to be used. Among two or three at the most and there must be an interpretor present. If not, they were to remain silent in the church. I aslo know of many who fake it and I also know of classes you can take, this is not Biblical. You cannot teach someone to pray in a spiritual language.Paul also said that he had the gift and even desired that all others had it as well, but more so that they would interpret. He also said that when he prays and sings in the spirit his mind is unfruitful and does not understand it. So how can you say that it is an abomination to God?"For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him, however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries..he who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edified the church. I wish that you all spoke with tongues.....for if I pray in a tongue my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uniformed say amen?"So if Paul was informed when he prayed in the spirit, are you saying he was an abomination to God? I have been in churches were this gift was used out of order and it is a scary feeling. But in its proper place it was beautiful, it didn't happen all the time. It is usually a short utterance, followed by an intrepretion.Talk to John Courson and many other teachers and scholars about the beauty of this being used. There has been conferences going on and during a time of worship someone uttered something in an unknown language and there was no interpretor, so John tactfully asked that no other utterences be shared. At the end of the conference an arab man who happened to be an employee of the conference center came to John asking to speak to the man who shared about the one true God. It took him a moment to put two and two together. Once he located the man who spoke in a tounge, he united the men. The arab man received Christ as his Savior. Are you so bold as to call this pastor, the arab and the one who spoke, liars and an abomination to God along with the apostle Paul?So why then, did Jesus give some to be Apostles, teachers, evangelists, and prophets for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Are you saying we do not need to fellowship with one another any longer? Is Hebrews now outdated as well? Also, is there no need to evanglize anymore since we have everything we need on our own? What about what Paul said when he said faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God? What about "how will they know unless somebody tell them?Yes, the word of God is all we need for life and godliness, every bit of it. even the gifts-- which all will cease when we come to a perfect man to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.I personally haven't arrived yet, so I will use all the tools and gifts that God gave to get me there or until he returns, whichever comes first.But please, Joel, don't make such a harsh judgement on men and women who operate in the genuine gifts God gave them. You are judging their relationship with God and their character when you do so.Every gift is for the edification of the church, accept the gift of tongues that Paul speaks of in Chapters 12-14.I know, just like a woman, even more questions, actually mostly retorical. Are you know questioning my relationship with God and challenge my testimony which is biblically centered?Blessings, TeresaNo, Teresa, I'm not questioning your relationship with God. I'm angering you and I can't handle it here in these comments. I will write an article and try to show you exactly why the gifts were given and for what purpose and why they were ended.You see, you are questioning my relationship with God because I don't believe as you do. All I'm trying to do is show what the intent of the Bible is concerning these gifts. You need to read my previous article. I may not be able to explain much more than that.Wishing you a nice holiday seasonPlease pardon my 2 cents worth. I don't think anyone is questioning anyone else's relationship with God. He convicts us about different things at different times. I think it is an interpretation issue that none of us may ever know for sure...at least in this life.Hi Lorrie, thanks for caring, but Teresa and I are not going to fight. I'm too fond of her and her appreciation for God's word. We may get kindly testy with each other, but we come away still caring for the other.Hi Joel, I know you aren't fighting. Just an observation of these discussions in general. I learn much from the both of you. You always leave me thinking. Merry Christmas!Hi Joel,No, I am not questioning your relationship with God, you are sound on your convictions as well I am, I applaud you for that and esteem you as a strong and wise brother in Christ. We are going to differ on things, and it is important to talk them through. We need to keep our hearts open to each others perspective. Somethings we will conceed and others we will not, it doesn't mean we are questioning each others walk. I just explained why I see it the way I do, just as you explained you see it the way you do. You are trying to convince me your perspective is the correct one, that is what sharing is all about, I think your response seemed angry at me because I was doing the same. We are both strong and serious students of the Bible, as well as countless others and this is an issue that has had these two perspectives since the early foundation of the church. Still it shouldn't divide.This is an area where we are not going to change eachothers mind. Nor is it my intent. My only point was to give you another perspective on this issue that is just as valid as yours.It is not a fundamental issue that should cause division and unfortunately it has over the years. I truly hope it does not with us. I trust we are above that non-sense.You did not anger me in the least, I was only responding to your statement that you say that a person speaking in an unkown tongue is an abomination to God, because by that statement, you are implying that those people who do, do not have a right relationship with God. It may not have been what you meant, but that is what it implies nonetheless.Joel, it would take a whole lot more than something like this to anger me. I never get angry by a healthy and intellegent conversation between me and another student of the Bible and lover of God. Besides, we agree on the essential doctrines and covenants of Christianity. The only difference I tend to lean on a more literal side and you tend to lean on a more spiritual side, together I think we can make a great teaching team. I don't think its a conincidence we were brought together. Blessings to you! TeresaGreat!. I have the very highest respect for you and your willingness to stand up for your beliefs. You took what I said about those speaking in tongues a little farther than I meant it. I've been to some meetings with those who do that and it was very obvious, to me, that at least some of them were shamming it. One fellow in particular was blabbering the same identical sounds over and over and jerking so hard, I though he was going to break his own neck. And virtually the entire congregation was muttering and blabbing incoherently, at the same time. I just can't make myself accept such as being pleasing to God. We have inspired examples of what they did in their worship services and I don't find that.I have never tried to overpower anyone with my beliefs. I feel strongly about them but, never will you catch me trying to force them upon others.I do indeed like and appreciate your last couple of sentences. AmenHi Joel, woo-hoo! We made it through :-)I experienced the same as you, even as a strong believer, it gave me the hee-bee gee-bees, and I told my girlriend that I would wait outside for her. Paul said if this was done in a public church setting the uninformed would think they were nuts. Well, I am informed and I still have problems with it.Not pleasing to God is definetly something I can conceed to Biblically, but when you used the word abomination, that did get me. From my experience and observation, the ones that are faking it, are doing so because of pressure from SOME pentacostal movements that teach that a person is not saved unless they speak in tongues. To put that on new believers is def. not pleasing to God, but more importantly, it is definitely a heartbreak to our heavenly Father. That we know is true because the word says that He is not pleased when others are led astray or heavy burdens are laid on them that God did not lay.So what do you think of writing an article together? Pick a subject.I would not have the slightest idea how to go about that. As well as what the subject should be. I'm a dummy disguised as a normal fellow.
The human brain is part of the quantum physics of the universe and EVERY human mind has the seeds of prophecy and ESP and mediumship; but like any seeds,they also need nourishment and care,water and good soil to grow and blossom.Most people don't do this.Youve touched on the subject with one finger but haven't grasped it with either hand;psychics and trance mediums and people who see ghosts are more common and everyday than you'd care to accept or believe and all these talents are divinely given,not from diabolical sources.The trouble is that most strong psychic lights attract 'moths' which then attract 'bats';one jumps into psychic waters attracted to distant schools of enlightened dolphins only to be surrounded by predatory sharks instead and one asks oneself;"what happened to the dolphins?!" your beliefs are narrow as ESP and paranormal human miracles occur every day, mostly small ones.(Children,closer to the 'other side', as they just arrived here,from there,are the most psychic; one must be attentive to who their 'imaginary friends' might just be;demons do indeed prowl these lower spheres on Earth.A miracle is ANYTHING that increases one's belief in God.Just as your brother was 'open' many many others are also 'open'. I sadly am such a sensitive who prays daily that my 'third eye' be closed.Paul Schroeder
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