People readily form religious beliefs out of their imaginations, fears, fantasies, and bloated egos. The paranormal is now nearly the norm in the world of popular entertainment, threatening traditional systems of belief. Are today's "walking dead" real zombies? Are the aliens actually here? What's keeping you awake at night? Are masses of overscheduled and frustrated people spiritually deceased even though still breathing? Who's lurking in the shadows, demons of destruction, a loving God seeking our highest well-being, or nothing but our twisted imaginations? How we fragile humans long for safety, ecstacy, community, meaning, and "salvation." We must beware, however. Numerous charlatans have it all for sale! By contrast, there still is the man Jesus who has paid the highest of prices and is offering all we need as a free gift. In him, insists the Christian faith, death has died and we've been set free to be "possessed" by the Spirit of Jesus, thus becoming the living dead. Receiving this gift takes faith, of course, but faith not contrary to reason. In fact, it may be the most reasonable and satisfying thing we could ever do.
Barry L. Callen is retired Dean and Professor of Christian Studies at Anderson University. He has authored over fifty books, including Discerning the Divine (2004), Bible Stories for Strong Stomachs (2017), The Jagged Journey (2018), and God in the Shadows (2018).
“Barry Callen writes provocatively about dimensions of life too many people fear even discussing. He blends Scripture, church tradition, critical thinking, and relevant experience to bring hope for loving and holy lives found in being ‘possessed’ by the Spirit of Christ.”
—Don Thorsen, Azusa Pacific University
“What a cool theology book! Barry Callen explores the paranormal and connects it with the big life questions we all ask. The result is a wild reading ride with new insights about age-old issues.”
—Thomas Jay Oord, Northwind Theological Seminary
“We are ‘spiritual’ beings longing for the ‘beyond.’ Technology has detached us from the supernatural. Writers now downplay the supernatural, trying to make Christianity ‘relevant.’ Not Callen. His writing is a must-read for people disillusioned with much of contemporary Christianity but wanting desperately to find meaning and a life beyond this one.”
—David W. Virtue, president, VirtueOnline
“For everything good God has provided, the world seems to have a counterfeit. Barry Callen has done a phenomenal job comparing and separating the reality of biblical truth from the fantasies and falsehoods of our culture, showing the path to true faith and hope for today and forever!”
—Mike Claypool, regional pastor, North and South Carolina