Description: Channeling
occurs when someone permits a spirit entity to possess him or her
usually for some form of psychic knowledge or power, e.g., psychic
diagnosis or healing, or to use the person’s vocal cords to speak in
order to give spiritual teachings or practical advice. Various forms
of spirit communication by channeling exist, such as automatic
writing, narrated visions, and inner voice dictation. In addition,
many people say they channel entities who claim to be angels, even
though these "angels" are indistinguishable in their methods and
teachings from the spirits channeled by occultists in general.
Founder: The first
recorded incident of channeling per se is found in Genesis 3:1 (cf. 2
Corinthians 11:5, 13-16).
How does it claim to work?:
Channeling claims to work through a variety of means. For example,
through meditation, relaxation, visualization, hypnosis, altered
states of consciousness, and other methods, channelers claim the
spirits are able to enter, possess, and control them much in the same
manner as a puppeteer controls a puppet. Channelers claim that by
permitting spirits to possess and speak through them, mankind can
attain a wealth of spiritual and practical wisdom directly from
spirits, who have "passed on" and are highly evolved. The spirits
claim they can assist people toward true individual, social, and
spiritual enlightenment.
Scientific evaluation:
Certain aspects of the practice can be scientifically examined, as in
parapsychological research, but science cannot evaluate the specific
claims made by channelers concerning the spirit’s existence, nature,
or purpose.
Examples of occult
potential: Channeling is chiefly used for an endless number of
occult purposes, from realizing so-called "higher" states of
consciousness, to developing psychic powers, to attaining new
revelations.
Major problem:
Channeled spirits who claim to be wise and loving entities, or angels
sent from God, are lying spirits which the Bible identifies as demons.
Despite their seeming charm and benevolence, this is only a ruse to
establish trust. As one channeler points out, "Guides have a vested
interest in being friendly" (Laeh M. Garfield, Jack Grant,
Companions in Spirit: A Guide to Working with your Spirit Helpers,
Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 1984, p. 42).
Biblical/Christian
evaluation: Channeling is part of what the Bible calls Christians
to stand against in spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-18). And under the
name "mediumship," it is a practice specifically forbidden (Deut.
18:9-12). The hidden purpose of the spirits is to gain the confidence
of men so they can influence and control them to bring their eventual
spiritual ruin (2 Cor. 4:4).
Potential dangers:
Spiritual deception, occult bondage, demon possession, mental
breakdown, physical harm, shortened life, financial and other risks
perpetuated by fraudulent channelers, and other consequences.
Note: The New Age
Movement as a whole is largely undergirded by channeled revelations
and activities (cf., our The Facts on Spirit Guides, Harvest
House, 1988).
