Saturday Lagniappe: Consulting the Dead and More

What’s Wrong with Consulting the Dead?

When I was growing up, I regularly witnessed the dead being consulted. It is a reality of my background. This practice has been going on for centuries, sadly even in African Christian circles. This is what prompted me to write this article. Many questions around this tradition need answering: Do the dead influence the living? Can they speak to God in an intermediary role, or on our behalf? Do they have the power to protect us if worshiped? Will they punish us when not worshiped or appeased? But there is one major question I have come across that brings everything together: As Christians, whom should we consult or go to for protection and guidance? Read More

The practice of consulting the dead is not confined to Africa. It is also found in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Spiritualism was popular in the United Kingdom and the United States in the nineteenth century. The British author, Sir Arthur Conan Dole, who wrote The Lost World and the Sherlock Holmes detective novels was an outspoken proponent of spiritualism. While spiritualism may have diminished in popularity, it has not gone away.

Why Pray to Saints When You Have Direct Access to God?

In Protestant churches, we are used to praying to God the Father. That’s how the Lord’s Prayer starts, and all the Biblical prayers are directed towards God. Prayer is a fundamental part of what it means to be one of God’s children. In the Roman Catholic Church, however, it is common to pray to all kinds of saints as well as to God the Father. Read More

20 of the Worst Epidemics and Pandemics in History

Plagues and epidemics have ravaged humanity throughout its existence, often changing the course of history. Read More

Why an article on epidemics and plagues? For one thing it helps us to recognize the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for the public health measures that states and local governments have been implementing.

Listening When You Can’t Possibly Hear Everyone

How can you listen when you can’t possibly hear everyone? Read More

Why Planting Local Churches is Critical to a Faithful Missions Strategy

Why is the planting of local churches so critical to a strong missions strategy? Here are a few reasons.... Read More