Many people are surprised to hear I am a Christian when they learn what I do. I am what some call a "paranormal investigator." I personally prefer to call my team and myself "spiritual investigators" because that is what we do. We investigate spiritual situations. The term paranormal has taken on too vast a definition nowadays with all the new interests and fads. As spirituality is on the rise and interest in the paranormal is increasing, everyone is hopping on the bandwagon wondering what the truth really is.

Truth is subjective, because my truth may not be someone else's truth. It has become a matter of opinion as of late, so, how do we ever know what truth is? But, if we are to say the Bible is the truth, and the debate is whether ghosts are referred to in it, then is it left to one's interpretation?

Here is how I come up with my answers:

• First, know that when I say I am a Christian, that this is in the view of generalization. I do not follow a particular religion, although I attend and am active in my Apostolic (UPCI) church.
• Religion, in my view, is flawed and man-made. I strive for a relationship with God and follow the Holy Living Bible, the King James Version (KJV). Not rules and protocols set by man, but the doctrine set by God according to His Book only. And if one reads that book openly, they will see that there are references that leave it open that "ghosts" do exist.
• If we bear in mind Jesus' message enclosed in the Bible, rather than man's religious ideas formed after the transitory of his ministry, we should see he taught that the realm of spirit (or spiritual world to us nowadays) co-exists with this physical world we live in.
• One must read the entire Bible, not just a single verse. Then they must go back to the Greek and Hebrew definitions of certain words. Also, I like to use the King James Version, as it seems to be complete. There are verses missing and altered in other versions.
• And lastly, know that the Bible gives us everything we need to know, but it does not give us everything. There are verses to back that up. Please note that I strongly suggest everyone follow the Words written in that Bible, and not go beyond, because to add to or take out is stated as an abomination to the Lord and we are commanded not to do this (see 1 Cor 4:6 as quoted at the end of this article).

I have a lot of time and experience with both human spirits - that is, ghosts - and inhuman (demonic) spirits. I have a lot of knowledge of the Bible as well. So, between my personal paranormal events, my knowledge of God's Word, my and my research and study in this area, I have come up with some answers, and some theories.

We need to define "ghost". To me it may be one thing, and to another it may be something else. A "ghost" to me is a spirit of a person who once lived here on earth and then passed on, but for whatever reason did not go to God. On the other hand, an inhuman entity/spirit is something that is demonic (a fallen angel) and never was a living human being. These two are very different and have different capabilities, a ghost being the weaker of the two.

First question is, if there are no such things as ghosts, then who are we dealing with? Are they just demons? Are they pretending to be the people we know and love, the image of a child who tragically dies or a lost person who cannot find their way to "the light?" It's a possibility. But here are some scripture references that support the existence of ghosts. Again, keep in mind I am defining a ghost as the spirit of a person who once lived here on earth:

Take note of the word "appeared" which clearly is saying it was an appearance and not Him as flesh. Also notice the term "different form." This must mean other than the physical form they were used to seeing Jesus in, so it must be spiritual.

In Luke 24:36, Jesus became visible to the eleven disciples and stood in the midst of them during their conversation after He had passed. He then goes on to say:

I use the KJV, but quoted the NIV for better comprehension.

Although there are many references to a "ghost" in the Bible, I listed just a few verses to prove, using the written Word of God, that there is spirit beyond body that can manifest here on Earth. Some may argue that these examples refer directly to Christ, God in the flesh, so it was possible for Him to do anything. They might say that these are exceptions to the rule. But Jesus taught that we all should, and can, be like Him. And there are also examples of other people appearing in spirit beyond their body:

At the time, Moses and Elijah has been passed on for some time now. If they were able to appear and talk with Jesus, and seen by others as well, what are they considered? Ghosts, as I see it.

One verse would have been sufficient proof that ghosts are referred to in scripture, but there are numerous ones. Some believe Jesus was not God, but a great teacher in the flesh. Even if we consider their point of view, these passages still indicate that he appeared apart from his physical body.

Now, these were holy men, and they were capable of this. But does God ever say what happens to the souls of people that were not believers? Jesus is adamant in telling us:

Some have not done this, so are we maybe dealing with lost souls of people who did not make it to God? Those are what the abundant number of people who have encountered "ghosts" are referring to.

The Bible speaks of demons and of ghosts. There are also countless references to "the holy ghost." If that was not a word or a meaning, it would not be used. Some may argue that "holy ghost" is just another term for the "holy spirit" but there is a difference between "holy spirit" and "holy ghost".

"Holy Spirit" or even "Spirit" in the Bible, is referring to the breath, mind, spirit of heaven. It is NOT the sister word to "ghost" (as in Casper). And sometimes "spirit" is capitalized and sometimes it isn't. Sometimes it does mean the "Holy Spirit" (when it is capitalized) but when it is not capitalized "spirit" can mean what we now consider a "ghost."

Many times, the word "ghost" is used in the Bible, and it refers every time to the soul, self, life, one's living being, etc...

So, we can say that we give up our "ghost," but where do we go?

I can only tell you what I have read in the Living Bible and know to be true. And I also know what I have experienced.

That is "spirit" with a small "s" which means it is not referring to the Holy Spirit of God (with a capitol S). Again, I use KJV, but in others, like in NIV, the word "ghost" is used. So, it depends on what Bible you read and what translation you use. Does it all mean the same thing? Yes.

So, there is a soul out of our bodies, and the question remains do some of those souls remain here on earth? There are thousands upon thousands that say yes.

I can say Scripture says upon death the non-believer and follower goes to a place of punishment while awaiting judgment by Christ:

(or you can re-word it for clarity and say the unrighteous for punishment until the day of judgment)

Where is He holding them? Here on earth their physical body is dead. So where is their spirit? If it isn't in Heaven, and it is stated there is no hell yet, then where are these souls? Maybe "stuck" in a different realm like described in Job:

So there has to be something else to go back and forth to, correct?

In closing, one must remember, again, that while the Bible doesn't tell us everything about everything, it does tell us what we need to know about God and His intentions for us. It states this in Job.

But, instead of always striving for all the answers like man tends to do, maybe we should sometimes stop seeking explanations and rationalizations we will not benefit from and simply accept the fact that some mysteries we will not know until we die. Some we may never know. Consider what the apostle Paul commanded the Corinthians: