How real is the supernatural world?

Miracles: “Mr. Friendly” Feb. 7, 2003 episode Rating: PG–13

The television series Miracles is dedicated to the investigation of the supernatural. The episode of “Mr. Friendly” examines two kinds of supernatural phenomena, namely, demonic possession/oppression and healing. It’s a show that some have referred to as a spiritual X Files, reminding us the line between this world and the spirit world is not as thick as we might imagine.

Paul Callan (Skeet Ulrich) and his partner Alva Keel (Angus MacFadyen) work for the Sodalitas Quaerito organization, a Latin phrase meaning “The Brotherhood in Search of Truth.” Their mission is “to look for truth outside the normal boundaries of things,” and they find just such a mission in Sherwood Nichol.

Sherwood suffers from a disease which prevents him from moving or communicating. Doctors are amazed when he is finally able to talk via a special computer. Suspicions arise when Sherwood suddenly expounds incredible knowledge including the supposed cure to his condition. When he begins to manipulate people, threatening the safety of other patients, Paul and Alva suspect demonic interference and rush to stop the impending disaster.

Supernatural phenomena, like demonic possession or miraculous healing, present us with at least two dangers. The first danger is to become pre-occupied with supernatural events by searching for them without warrant or to elevate them to a status that is disproportionately unhealthy. Few of us would be guilty of this. But the second danger is to live in denial (either intentionally or unintentionally) of the realities of supernatural good and evil in our world and our integral role in relating to them.

The incredibly successful comedy Ghostbusters dealt with this subject. With regard to how people should handle an encounter with a supernatural being (in this case an evil one) the film asked the question: Who you gonna call? While the movie didn’t intend a theological point of view, it does, nonetheless, lend itself to critical reflection on how we as Christians deal with the supernatural. How do we handle things like demon possession and serious illness when (if) we encounter them? What is our response to someone in need of supernatural healing? Do we still believe the healing power of Jesus Christ is as real for us today as it was for the Apostles? If we believe that the power of the Cross is eternal and that God does not change, is it reasonable to believe that He is still the LORD our healer today (Matthew 8:16–17, Exodus 15:26)?

Believing in miracles is a tough line to walk. For some, it’s easier not to believe God for a miracle. People who do not believe have no fear of the request being denied. Similarly, they sidestep the potentially horrifying position of wondering about the nature of God after a miracle has not occurred.

For other believers it’s actually easier to believe in a miracle for there is nothing miraculous about miracles to God. Whether a believer receives or does not receive a miracle (for whatever reason) is not the issue. Believers in miracles are not at risk in their faith because a miracle was not their primary goal.

I wonder how much we still believe in the Lord’s “take up thy bed and walk” kind of miracles. I wonder if we have the courage, humility and passion to pursue a relationship with Christ that sees Him use us to release His supernatural power into our world in areas like healing and demonic oppression.

I doubt any of us question the inherent reality of a supernatural dimension to our world. But the real question is whether or not we understand how Christ has equipped us to effectively fight in a battle that desperately requires our involvement.

Paul H. Boge is a writer and an engineer. He attends North Kildonan MB Church in Winnipeg.