Lee Strobel: Possession, Miracles, Visions, and Encounters With Angels & Demons

Despite the skepticism around supernatural claims, Strobel claims that about eighty percent of Americans believe in phenomena beyond the scientific realm, suggesting an intuitive consensus on the existence of things that science cannot yet quantify. He approaches these experiences with a journalistic rigor born from his own former atheism and training in law and journalism. Strobel's emphasis is on finding corroborated evidence that goes beyond personal anecdote and emotion, arguing for careful investigation into miracles, near-death experiences, angelic encounters, and demonic activity.

Angels

Strobel discusses angels as spirit beings created by God before humanity, highlighting their attributes that distinguish them from humans and God. He notes angels are intelligent and immortal without physical bodies—they don't age, marry, or possess omniscience or omnipresence like God. Their primary roles, according to scripture, include serving God and assisting His people. Interestingly, belief in angelic beings is nearly universal, permeating cultures from the Maya to the Canaanites, which Strobel argues supports their existence beyond mere myth or imagination.

A compelling illustration of angelic intervention stems from the story of John G. Payton, a missionary in the South Pacific, whose home was protected by unseen figures resembling angels during an attempted mob attack. Such testimonies pepper Strobel's work, including his own childhood vision where an angel imparted spiritual truths he only later fully understood. Strobel perceives these encounters as more than dreams or hallucinations, pointing instead toward genuine contact with the spiritual realm that shapes human faith and understanding.

Demons and the Reality of Evil

Delving into the darker side of the supernatural, Strobel explains demons as fallen angels who, led by Lucifer—whose pride led to his transformation into Satan—rebelled against God prior to humanity's fall. These beings are finite in power and not omnipresent; hence, they act strategically and with limitations. Strobel stresses that demons' primary aim is to oppose God by deceiving and sabotaging humanity's relationship with Him, often manifesting as temptation, oppression, and even possession.

Drawing from contemporary case studies, such as that of Dr. Richard Gallagher, a prominent psychiatrist who uncovered compelling evidence of demonic possession and oppression within his clinical practice, Strobel asserts that these phenomena defy psychiatric explanation alone. He underscores that while Christians cannot be possessed due to indwelling by the Holy Spirit, they can suffer demonic oppression. Strobel argues against both extremes—either outright denial of demonic reality or paranoia attributing evil to demons everywhere—emphasizing balanced awareness rooted in scripture and personal vigilance.

Evil in Culture and Leadership

Strobel provides a cultural analysis on how demonic influence might manifest, especially targeting cultural leaders, including those in political and entertainment spheres. He suggests that demons typically avoid direct attacks on ordinary individuals, preferring more efficient tactics such as corrupting those in positions of influence to shape societal values subtly but pervasively. Strobel points to the normalization of immoral behavior in media, exemplified by programs like "Friends," as something that lowers societal defenses and fosters acceptance of behaviors that undermine moral order.

This insight extends to political leadership and educational systems, where corruption, moral failings, and dysfunction are prevalent. Strobel speculates that some leaders may have unwittingly accepted demonic assistance to achieve worldly success, though such power often brings torment and fear. He also discusses how societal toleration of harmful influences, such as sexual exploitation or indoctrination of children with aberrant values, serves as a conduit for demonic strongholds, noting that removal of such influence would be a hallmark of a healthy society.

Mystical Dreams and Spiritual Visions

A substantial segment of the conversation revolves around mystical dreams, particularly those experienced by Muslims who later convert to Christianity. Strobel shares numerous firsthand accounts where dreams function as an entry point into spiritual transformation, often accompanied by real-world confirmation—external people or events that validate the dream's message. These are not casual or forgettable dreams but vivid, compelling encounters often resistant to naturalistic explanation.

Strobel stresses that these dreams and visions cannot simply be the product of subconscious manipulation because the cultural and personal stakes are too high—especially in hostile environments where apostasy can mean death. Such corroborated experiences suggest a divine orchestration that transcends human cognition. In contrast, Strobel acknowledges that some visions can be medically induced illusions, such as those caused by hyponatremia or hallucinogenic drugs, differentiating between medically explainable phenomena and those with genuine spiritual significance.

Near-Death Experiences

Near-death experiences (NDEs) receive detailed examination as phenomena validating the existence of a soul or spirit separate from the physical body. Strobel emphasizes that clinical death—total cessation of brain activity and bodily functions—has been documented in individuals who then report vivid, conscious experiences occurring outside their physical body. These include observing resuscitation efforts, encounters with divine beings, comprehensive life reviews, and meetings with deceased relatives or spiritual guides.

He highlights astounding cases such as blind individuals who report visual experiences during NDEs, which defy current scientific understanding. Medical and scientific communities have engaged seriously with this topic, producing hundreds of peer-reviewed studies that struggle to provide purely naturalistic explanations. Strobel uses these experiences to reinforce the notion of the soul's reality and the spiritual continuity transcending physical death.

Deathbed Visions

Closely related to NDEs are deathbed visions—spiritual experiences occurring just before permanent death. Strobel notes their prevalence is surprisingly high, with studies showing up to 88% of dying individuals report such experiences. These visions frequently involve angels or deceased loved ones and sometimes reveal knowledge otherwise inaccessible to the patient, as in the case of Doris, who saw her recently deceased sister despite not being told of her passing.

While many deathbed visions are peaceful and affirming, others are terrifying, reflecting depictions of hellish torment and spiritual conflict. Strobel cites the near-death experience of Howard Storm, who initially encountered hostile spiritual beings before being rescued by a divine presence. These experiences affirm biblical teachings on both heaven and hell and suggest that the moments surrounding death bear profound spiritual significance often overlooked or suppressed by modern society's fear and avoidance of realistic conversations about death.

Ghosts, Psychics, and the Paranormal

Strobel treats ghosts and psychic phenomena with caution, distinguishing between biblically grounded spiritual realities and counterfeit or malevolent sources. He posits that what are generally called ghosts are not souls of the departed but rather demonic apparitions designed to deceive and frighten. Storytelling and folklore have perpetuated their mythic status, but scriptural and experiential evidence suggests they pose spiritual dangers rather than offering comfort or truth.

Similarly, psychics and mediums, while sometimes appearing to exhibit genuine knowledge or powers, engage in forbidden practices that open doors to demonic influence. Strobel references examples where governments have even resorted to psychics for intelligence but warns that their abilities are likely derived from deception or dark spiritual forces. He advocates complete avoidance of psychic consultations, aligning his stance firmly with biblical injunctions against occult practices.

Spiritual Gifts and Speaking in Tongues

On the subject of spiritual gifts, Strobel discusses glossolalia (speaking in tongues) as a genuine spiritual phenomenon present in various Christian traditions. He recognizes that some believers regard these gifts as having ceased with the apostolic age, while others claim they continue actively today. Strobel personally affirms the ongoing presence of such gifts, including the ability to speak unknown languages and their interpretation, seeing them as manifestations of the Holy Spirit's work.

He differentiates these spiritual expressions from demonic mimicry, indicating that genuine spiritual gifts build up the church and reflect divine activity. The debate among Christians on these issues remains intense, but Strobel approaches it with an openness rooted in the pursuit of scriptural consistency and experiential validation.

The Power and Significance of Divine Names

Names carry profound importance within biblical theology, a concept Strobel explores in relation to God's name and that of Jesus. Acting "in the name of God" means aligning one's behavior with divine will and character, framing actions as consistent with God's nature rather than merely invoking a label. This emphasis ties into ancient Jewish reverence for God's name, which was considered so holy it was not to be spoken or written casually.

Strobel notes the significance of titles like Emmanuel, meaning "God with us," associated with Jesus, underscoring that names convey identity and divine mission. The subtlety of name usage in scripture reflects an understanding of spiritual authority and holiness that shapes worship and practice.

Miracles: Challenges and Validations

Miracles, Strobel asserts, are events caused by God that temporarily override natural laws to demonstrate divine intervention in human history. He addresses common skeptical objections that miracles are impossible because they supposedly violate unchanging laws of nature. Strobel counters by illustrating how divine intervention is more akin to an override or suspension rather than a violation, emphasizing that scientific understanding of natural laws is neither complete nor fixed.

He bolsters his argument with compelling cases of miraculous healing, such as Barbara's recovery from end-stage multiple sclerosis and a young man's instantaneous cure from chronic gastroparesis. These cases have been medically documented and defy natural explanation. Strobel believes they serve as powerful evidence for the reality of miracles and, by extension, for the existence and activity of God in the modern world.

Why the Supernatural is Ignored

In closing, Strobel wrestles with why the supernatural is so often marginalized or ignored despite abundant experiential evidence and biblical teaching. He attributes this to cultural embarrassment and a desire for normalcy that discourages open discussion of angels, demons, miracles, and other spiritual realities. Many in the church shy away from these topics out of fear of ridicule or a wish to conform to secular expectations.

Yet for Strobel, embracing the supernatural is essential to authentic Christian faith, since Jesus himself taught and acted within a deeply supernatural worldview. Recognizing and engaging with the spiritual realm provides crucial context for understanding existence, morality, and human destiny. He encourages listeners to pay closer attention to the supernatural dimensions of life, confident that by "noticing" with intentionality, ordinary people can experience the extraordinary realities that surround them daily.