Paranormal activities, occult experiences - Christians issued warning over getting involved

The occult and paranormal have been a fascinating subject for many people for hundreds of years, but with the current abundance of movies, television, books, and the Internet, these topics easily reach more individuals. An apologist warns Christians about getting mixed with such activities.

In his new book "Unanswered," New Testament scholar Dr. Jeremiah Johnston tackles the subject of the occult in a section titled "Paranormalcy: Understanding Spiritual Darkness and the Paranormal Allure Among Christians and How to Escape It." In terms of entertainment, while he does not condemn "The Walking Dead" and similar shows, he advises Christians to find a healthy balance.

"It's important to balance," he told The Christian Post. "This is one of these difficult issues, like alcohol in the Church and others. It really comes down to one's spiritual maturity, it comes down to the priesthood of the believer."

Johnston warns that such entertainment could have detrimental results, citing Christians whose curiosity prompts them to dabble into the occult like trying to contact spirits.

"The paranormal is a slippery slope, and it always starts with a Ouija board or reading a horoscope — something that just seems harmless," he said during the interview. "Once you open that door to the demonic it is very difficult to close."

According to Johnston, 73 percent of teens have dabbled in the spiritual arts and other witchcraft activities that are beyond "pedestrian exposure," and 42 milion Americans have consulted a fortune-teller or a psychic. He warns that many mediums and psychics claim to be Christians in order to lure clients, and they take advantage of grieving people who want to contact loved ones who have passed away.

"Anything that takes away from your love for God, anything that detracts you from all the joys that we have in Jesus Christ — [you] should be very careful [about]," he said.