Definition and Overview:
Communicating with the dead, often referred to as necromancy or spiritism, involves attempting to contact or interact with the spirits of deceased individuals. This practice has been present in various cultures and religions throughout history, often associated with seeking guidance, knowledge, or comfort from those who have passed on.

Biblical References and Teachings:

1. Old Testament Prohibitions:
The Bible explicitly prohibits the practice of communicating with the dead. In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites to avoid such practices, associating them with pagan rituals and idolatry. Leviticus 19:31 states, "You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." Similarly, Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD."

2. The Case of Saul and the Medium of Endor:
A notable biblical account involving an attempt to communicate with the dead is found in 1 Samuel 28. King Saul, facing a dire situation with the Philistines, seeks out a medium at Endor to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. Despite having previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul's desperation leads him to violate God's commands. The spirit of Samuel appears and foretells Saul's defeat and death, emphasizing the futility and danger of such practices. This narrative illustrates the consequences of disobedience to God's laws regarding necromancy.

3. New Testament Perspective:
The New Testament continues to uphold the prohibition against engaging with the dead. While it does not explicitly address necromancy as frequently as the Old Testament, it emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ and the Holy Spirit for guidance and comfort. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and direction from God rather than turning to forbidden practices. In Galatians 5:19-21 , Paul lists "sorcery" among the works of the flesh, warning that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

4. The Role of Christ and the Holy Spirit:
The New Testament underscores the role of Jesus Christ as the mediator between God and humanity, rendering any attempt to communicate with the dead unnecessary and spiritually hazardous. Hebrews 9:27 states, "Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment," highlighting the finality of death and the futility of seeking contact with the deceased. The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a source of comfort, guidance, and truth, as seen in John 14:26 : "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you."

Theological Implications:
From a biblical standpoint, attempting to communicate with the dead is seen as a violation of God's commandments and an act that can lead to spiritual defilement. It reflects a lack of trust in God's provision and guidance through His Word and Spirit. The practice is often associated with deception and can open individuals to spiritual harm. Believers are called to rely on God's revelation through Scripture and the Holy Spirit for their spiritual needs, rather than seeking forbidden knowledge or comfort from the dead.Isaiah 8:19
And when they shall say to you, Seek to them that have familiar spirits, and to wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek to their God? for the living to the dead?
Topicalbible.org

Leviticus 19:31
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
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1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
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Leviticus 20:27
A man also or woman that has a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be on them.
Topicalbible.org

Living as Dead
... but are dead. They are counted in the denominational year-book; they go through
the motions of life; but where is their quickening, communicating, vitalizing ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xli living as dead.htm

Useful Phrases
... evident authority. evil necromancy [necromancy = communicating with the dead to
predict the future; black magic; sorcery]. eviscerating shrieks. exact antithesis ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section i useful phrases.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, AND ETERNAL JUDGMENT. OR, THE TRUTH ... Amen.
JOHN BUNYAN. OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. "BUT THIS I ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

Why victor Assumed the Name of vincentius. The Names of Evil Men ...
... feigns." [2438] If, however, you are sincere in communicating with us, and do not
merely pretend to be a catholic, how is it that you still love a dead man to ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 2 ii why victor assumed.htm

Whether Death Will be the Term "Wherefrom" of the Resurrection in ...
... all who are to be judged were living at some time, and dead at some ... so long as that
sin remained they were unable to beget without communicating original sin ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether death will be the.htm

Of the Parables of the Lost Ewe and the Lost Drachma.
... Lord's admitting to His society heathen publicans and sinners, and communicating
with them ... who is there who has not pronounced him to be dead immediately upon ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on modesty/chapter vii of the parables of.htm

Elucidations.
... (1) They could only be offered in behalf of the holy dead who had ... in it; viz., "Holy
things for holy persons." It occurs just before the communicating of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/elucidations.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... and calling on the spirits of their fathers and of others who were dead, and upon ...
are supposed to be good and others bad, and capable of communicating with men ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Job's Question, Jesus' Answer
... now'"at this moment when help is vain and hope is dead"'whatsoever thou ... involved
His being also the 'Resurrection,' for His life-communicating work could ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jobs question jesus answer.htm

Gladden -- the Prince of Life
... he had witnessed on Calvary, and to whose resurrection from the dead he is ... beginning
of His public ministry, that He possest some power of communicating life. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/gladden the prince of.htm

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