Recently a relative sent me an invitation to view a segment of Crossing Over on which he, with his family, was to be a guest. I had never heard of John Edward or his TV show. I have since found out that Edward’s show, and his books,[1] are quite the rage!
Since the name of the show told me nothing about the content I checked Edward’s website to find out what he and his show are about. There he describes himself as a "psychic medium" who "reunites people in the physical world with their loved ones who have crossed over." I realized then that the subject is a familiar one!
It is very understandable that we have questions about the afterlife, questions about where we ourselves will go at death, where our departed loved ones are and if we can contact them. Our busy lives don’t often allow time for contemplating such questions, but they nevertheless rush in on our consciousness, especially when we have suffered the loss of a loved one. No doubt there are many since Sept. 11th who are asking these questions. So, John Edward gets our attention.
But, can John Edward help us make contact, as he claims? Many people seem to think so; many become convinced, moved to tears as they are told that they are actually hearing from their loved ones who have “crossed over.”[2]
Obviously, the first thing we have to consider is, could this Edward guy simply be a fake? Is he taking advantage of people's curiosity, or grief, in order to get rich? After all, it is possible to master the art of asking guiding questions.
Or, could Edward really be a "genuine" psychic? And if so, is he actually putting us in touch with our dead loved ones or is he possibly making contact with something more sinister? And finally, the question that makes all other questions unnecessary, what does God say about Edward’s activity?
Since these questions confuse and disturb us, people tend to push them aside; after all, where else can you get comfort for your grief and answers to these questions about the afterlife? It can’t hurt to try “Crossing Over”… or can it?
As a matter of fact, God has not left us "in the dark" about the subject. He has spoken loud and clear about the type of activity John Edward is engaged in. More than that, He has told us the truth about life after death.
As far as Edward’s activity as a "psychic medium” is concerned, God has this to say: (We cite just one passage from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament, but the Bible gives many warnings about such occult practices).
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (God speaking to the Israelites about to enter the Promised Land):
Acts 19:18-19:"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his 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, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so."
Many of those who believed [those who became Christians from among the Gentiles] now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
[Webster’s Dictionary defines “sorcery” as “necromancy – communication with the spirits of the dead in order to predict the future”.]
As far as the afterlife is concerned, God has said plenty about it; he has told us all that we need to know about life and death, heaven and hell. Furthermore, he has done all that is necessary to ensure that eternity will be spent in His presence, heaven, where “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Rev 21:4) The only obstacle to such a blissful eternity would be resistance to the message. This is the message:
John 3:16:
I John 5:11-13:"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
John 14:1-6 (Jesus speaking):
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
If we turn away from this truth something will always fill the void – but that "something" is always a lie, as John Edward’s Crossing Over is. The fact is, it is not departed loved ones we are contacting, our believing so does not make it so. The Bible teaches there is no connection now between the living and the dead. God’s Word is authoritative; John Edward’s is not.
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13. That’s the assurance that counts!
Written by Greta Olsoe
www.soundwitness.org
Click here for more articles on popular culture[1] For thoughts related to John Edward’s latest title, What If God Were the Sun? see "A Critique: What if God Were the Sun."
[2] These quotes are taken from a website given to reviews of John Edward’s book, What if God Were the Sun:
What surprised and delighted me about this book is the chapter in which this psychic medium describes in detail what the other side is like for us when we cross over.
I loved this book and it is a great help for … someone dealing with the death of a loved one … If you have lost someone close and wonder where they are or how they are, this is a great read.
[It] helped with being assured that loved ones are still near.