Hi Bill
No all supernatural phenomena do not fall into those two categories, there are genuine manifestations of God, however, God is not obliged to reveal Himself to us, having already done so in the person of Jesus Christ. As a Christian I believe the biblical claim that God has provided sufficient revelation, and that the Cannon of scripture is closed. God reveals Himself through Creation, conscience, the cannon of Scripture, and ultimately and finally, through Christ and His resurrection. I am reminded of the statement to the rich man in hell who wanted to return and warn his family; "They have Moses and the Prophets. If they will not believe them, they will not believe even if one were to rise from the dead". The reformation/biblical doctrine of Sola Scriptura, means that the God breathed Scripture of the old and new testament, is the final arbiter of truth. Not Popes, not tradition, not experience, or mystical revelation. All these are subject to and interpreted in light of, the bible.
How do you tell? You compare what TCM or CWG, or Adi Da says, to what the scripture says and judge accordingly. Another clue, and a big red flag, is the use of occult practices such as channeling, which are forbidden by God, but he content of the messages, are the clearest indication that they are not from God, because God does not change His message.
Greg |
