In an age where television shows feature mediums supposedly connecting with departed loved ones and where séances and Ouija boards remain popular curiosities, many Christians wonder about the biblical perspective on communicating with the dead. Is it possible? Is it permitted—if only out of curiosity? The short answer from a Reformed biblical perspective is clear: Scripture consistently and emphatically forbids necromancy—the practice of consulting the dead.

 

GOD’S EXPLICIT PROHIBITION

The Bible doesn’t leave room for ambiguity on this topic. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, we find one of the most direct prohibitions: “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD.”

The Hebrew term used here for those who “consult the dead” (doresh el-hammetim) literally means “one who inquires of the dead,” portraying someone attempting to gain guidance or information from those who’ve passed away. God doesn’t merely discourage this practice—He labels it an “abomination” and groups it with other occult activities He doesn’t just hate, but detests.

Similarly, Leviticus provides multiple warnings:

• “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.” (Leviticus 19:31)
• “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them.” (Leviticus 20:6)

The language of “defilement” and “prostitution” is significant, as it frames necromancy not merely as a misguided practice but as spiritual unfaithfulness—a violation of our covenant relationship with God.&

 

THE WITCH OF ENDOR: A WARNING, NOT A MODEL

When discussing this topic, many point to the account in 1 Samuel 28, where King Saul consulted the witch of Endor to call up the prophet Samuel. However, far from endorsing the practice, the narrative serves as a solemn warning.

John Calvin, in his commentary on the passage, notes the appearance of Samuel (or what appeared to be Samuel) was not a normative occurrence but an exceptional judgement event. The text itself presents this episode as part of Saul’s downward spiral of disobedience, which culminated in his death. In 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, we read the divine evaluation of this incident:

“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD.”

The Reformed theologian Matthew Henry observed “those that expect any good counsel or comfort otherwise than from God, and in the way of his institutions, will be as wretchedly disappointed as Saul was.”

 

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE PROHIBITION

The biblical prohibition against necromancy isn’t arbitrary but is grounded in several key theological principles:

God’s Sovereignty: In Reformed theology, God’s sovereignty over all things—including knowledge of the future and communication with His people—is paramount. The Westminster Confession emphasises God alone has “most sovereign dominion” and works “all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will” (WCF 2.2). When we attempt to bypass God by consulting the dead, we usurp His sovereign prerogative to reveal what we need to know, when we need to know it.

The Sufficiency of Scripture: The Reformed principle of Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) affirms the Bible is sufficient for all matters of faith and practice. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, Scripture is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Louis Berkhof, the Reformed systematic theologian, wrote the Bible “contains all the positive information that is necessary for the salvation of men and for their spiritual guidance in this life.” If Scripture is sufficient, there’s no need to seek additional revelation through prohibited means such as consulting the dead.

The Finality of Death in Biblical Theology: Scripture teaches a clear separation between the living and the dead until the resurrection. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 states “the dead know nothing… Never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.” While this doesn’t deny conscious existence after death, it does indicate a separation from earthly affairs.

Hebrews 9:27 emphasises “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement.” The biblical worldview doesn’t envision the dead as accessible sources of wisdom or guidance for the living.

 

THE SPIRITUAL DANGER OF NECROMANCY

Reformed theology has consistently warned that attempts to contact the dead open doors to demonic deception. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:20 that pagan sacrifices (which would include various occult practices) are offered “to demons, not to God.”

Contemporary Reformed scholar Peter Jones, who has written extensively on paganism and the occult, warns that “what appears as contact with the dead is actually contact with demonic forces impersonating the dead.” This perspective aligns with the biblical warning that Satan “masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

 

BUT WHAT ABOUT…?

• The Transfiguration: Some point to Jesus’s transfiguration, where Moses and Elijah appeared (Matthew 17:1-8), as biblical support for communication with the dead. However, there’s a fundamental difference: this was a God-initiated revelation, not human-initiated necromancy. Moses and Elijah appeared not because the disciples sought them but because God sovereignly revealed them for His purposes.
• Prayers to Saints: The Reformed tradition rejects the practice of praying to saints, viewing it as functionally similar to consulting the dead. While Roman Catholic theology distinguishes between “worship” offered to God and “veneration” offered to saints, the Reformed position holds directing prayers to anyone but God Himself constitutes a violation of the first commandment.

As John Calvin argued in his Institutes, “The office of intercession has been committed to Christ alone” (III.20.21). There is “one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

 

FINDING COMFORT WITHOUT CONSULTING THE DEAD

Many turn to mediums or psychics out of grief, desperately missing loved ones who’ve passed away. This longing for connection is understandable, but Scripture offers better sources of comfort:

• The hope of resurrection: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 reminds us not to “grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope,” because Jesus “died and rose again,” and through Him, God will bring back those who have fallen asleep.
• The presence of Christ: Jesus promised, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Even in our deepest grief, we’re never truly alone.
• The communion of saints properly understood: While we don’t communicate with departed believers, Reformed theology affirms we’re part of one body in Christ with them. The Westminster Confession speaks of “the communion of saints” as the unity of all believers—both living and dead—in Christ.

 

CONCLUSION: TRUSTING THE LIVING GOD

Isaiah powerfully captures God’s perspective on necromancy: “When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19)

The Bible forbids consulting the dead not to deprive us of comfort or knowledge, but because God offers something far better: direct communion with Himself through Christ. Rather than seeking wisdom or comfort from those who’ve passed away, Scripture invites us to trust in “the living God, who is the Saviour of all people” (1 Timothy 4:10).

In our moments of curiosity about the afterlife or grief over lost loved ones, God calls us not to turn to prohibited practices, but to turn to Him—the God who conquered death through Christ and who alone can satisfy our deepest longings for connection, comfort, and understanding.

 

CONSULTING THE DEAD: RESOURCES FOR FURTHER READING

• John Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion (particularly Book III)
• Dave Hunt, The Occult Invasion
• Westminster Confession of Faith (particularly chapters on God’s sovereignty and the sufficiency of Scripture)

 

CONSULTING THE DEAD: RELATED FAQs

What is the Communion of Saints? How do we have fellowship with dead believers? Is there a scriptural basis for it? The Communion of Saints refers to the spiritual union of all believers in Christ, both living and dead (Hebrews 12:22-24). Our fellowship with departed believers isn’t through direct communication but through our mutual connection in Christ’s body. Scripture teaches we’re “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1), suggesting departed believers are aware of the ongoing story of redemption, but this doesn’t establish two-way communication. The communion is one of shared identity and destiny in Christ, not ongoing conversation.

• Is there a difference between someone appearing at a deathbed vision and consulting the dead? Deathbed visions (where dying individuals report seeing deceased loved ones or heavenly beings) differ fundamentally from consulting the dead because they’re unsolicited, spontaneous experiences rather than deliberately sought encounters. Scripture doesn’t directly address such phenomena, but they should be evaluated by whether they bring peace and point to Christ (Philippians 4:7) rather than drawing attention to the dead. Unlike necromancy, which Scripture explicitly condemns, deathbed visions aren’t initiated by human ritual or technique.
• Did Samuel’s spirit actually appear to Saul, or was it a demonic impersonation? Reformed theologians are divided on whether the apparition was actually Samuel or a demonic impersonation. Calvin and many Reformers believed it was a divinely permitted appearance of Samuel himself, noting the text straightforwardly calls the figure “Samuel” and that the prophecy given proved accurate. Others like Matthew Henry suggested it was likely a demonic deception permitted by God as part of Saul’s judgement. Scripture doesn’t definitively answer this question, leaving it as one of the Bible’s challenging interpretive issues.

How should Christians respond to apparent Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) or other technological “evidence” of communication with the dead? Christians should approach claimed technological communications with the dead with extreme scepticism, recognising these phenomena contradict clear biblical teaching about the separation between the living and dead. Such recordings or readings are better explained by natural phenomena, psychological suggestion, or potentially demonic deception (2 Corinthians 11:14). Rather than seeking validation through such means, believers should rest in the sufficiency of God’s revelation in Scripture and the promise of resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

• What about near-death experiences where people claim to have met deceased relatives? Near-death experiences (NDEs) involving deceased loved ones should be evaluated carefully rather than automatically accepted as genuine spiritual encounters. While some elements of NDEs may align with biblical descriptions of afterlife, many aspects often reflect the individual’s cultural and religious background more than biblical teaching. Scripture remains our authoritative guide, emphasizing that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27) rather than encouraging insights from temporary journeys beyond death.
• How does ancestral veneration in some cultures relate to biblical prohibitions on consulting the dead? Cultural practices of ancestral veneration differ from the necromancy prohibited in Scripture when they function as remembrance and respect rather than attempts to gain supernatural knowledge or assistance from the dead. However, practices that involve praying to ancestors, seeking their intervention, or consulting them for guidance cross into territory forbidden by passages like Deuteronomy 18:9-12. Christians from cultures with strong ancestral traditions must thoughtfully contextualize their faith, honoring their heritage while ensuring their practices align with biblical teaching about the exclusive worship of God.

Can Christians participate in genealogical research, family history, or visit gravesites without violating biblical principles? Christians can absolutely engage in genealogical research, explore family history, and visit gravesites as these activities honour family connections and heritage without attempting spiritual communication with the dead. Scripture itself contains genealogies (Matthew 1, Genesis 5) and mentions proper burial and memorial practices. The biblical prohibition concerns seeking supernatural guidance or communication from the dead, not remembering or honoring those who have passed. Such activities become problematic only if they evolve into attempts to communicate with or seek guidance from deceased individuals.

 

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