"Phantasma: Are There Ghosts in the Bible?"

In a shocking passage from the Gospel of Matthew (14:22-33), the disciples are on a boat out at sea, at night, in stormy conditions. They see a human figure walking toward them on the water, and cry out, "It is a ghost!" As it turns out, it is Jesus, and he replies, "Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid." What Jesus doesn't say is, "Ghosts aren't real."

Let's look at the Greek for 'ghost'.

φάντασμα - phantasma: "spectre - spirit"

The only usage of "phantasma" in the New Testament is in this passage, and in the same scene from Mark 6:49.

The Christian might respond, "This doesn't prove that ghosts exist." I would point you to 1 Samuel 28, where the incognito King Saul has the Witch of En-dor conjure the spirit of the prophet Samuel. The prophet does appear, and prophesies Saul's violent death, perhaps ensuring it.

Let us examine the Hebrew for 'conjure.'

‎קָסַם - qāsam: "determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine; prudent, soothsayer, use (divination)."

This type of activity was strictly prohibited in the Mosaic Law. The Bible never claims that magic isn't powerful, including conjuration and necromancy, but it says it's a really bad idea. In fact, Judaism and Christianity basically present themselves as a Holy Magic, a spiritual system that appeals exclusively to Yahweh as opposed to a pantheon of created spirits or half-demons. Prayer, prophecy, sacrifice, even blood-sacrifice. In the case of the Atonement, child-sacrifice (Jesus on the cross). Protection wards, ie the Seal of the Holy Spirit. Our world is magic vs. magic.

All this to say, the Bible is not dogmatic about the existence or non-existence of ghosts. Some believe ghosts are simply demons (fallen angels) masquerading as dead humans - and perhaps this does happen - but I believe there is more to the paranormal story.

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