“Messenger from the Dead?” is an article from Dr. Gordon H. Clark’s papers. Both the original scan and a transcribed document are here made available. If you notice any typos on the typed document please email the administrator at douglasdouma@yahoo.com.

**Items from the unpublished papers of Dr. Gordon H. Clark should not be considered his definitive statement on the particular topic addressed. These papers are being provided for educational value. For Dr. Clark’s official positions consult his published writings.**

Unpublished 51. Messenger From The Dead (original)

Unpublished 51. Messenger From The Dead (typed)

 

Notes: An article of Gordon H. Clark from The Home Evangel.

 

MESSENGER FROM THE DEAD?

The casualty list grows longer; the war is costing lives. The bereaved parents and wives have our profound sympathy. Who can help them or console them?

Some of the bereaved will go to spiritualistic mediums, and in their dim parlors will seek contact with the departed by means of little noises and luminous paint. Such deception is cruel. Houdini could not get back from the spirit world: neither can the fallen soldier speak to his sorrowing wife.

If we require a messenger from the dead, let it be a real person. Let him appear in broad daylight. Let him speak audibly to several people at once, to a hundred or five hundred at once. Let him remain with us for some time, 30 or 40 days. Then we shall know that what he says of the future life is true, for such a one would be no phosphorescent ghost.

We thank God that Jesus Christ has met these requirements. He arose from the dead and to the amazed disciples said, “Handle me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones as ye see me have.” And the truths that He taught hold consolation for the woes of the world-indeed the only consolation. The Christian suffers bereavement as much as any other person, and he sorrows for those he has loved long since and lost a while; but he does not sorrow as other people who have no hope. Because he is united to Christ, he can expect everlasting happiness with God and with God’s people in Heaven. Hear him chant:

Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ.
When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with Thy saints in glory everlasting