DO THE DEAD HEAR US?

I thought I would post something today for the purpose of starting a theological discussion. I was listening to a sermon from a local Baptist Church when the pastor made a comment about the dead hearing us. I immediately stopped the sermon and began to think about that.

The Catholic Church teaches the following:

Catechism of the Catholic Church

2683 The witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom, especially those whom the Church recognizes as saints, share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives, the transmission of their writings, and their prayer today. They contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were "put in charge of many things." Their intercession is their most exalted service to God's plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world.

This teaches that we should pray to those who have died and who have been declared to be saints. This would imply the dead can hear us and can pray for us.

Some point to the following scriptures as prohibiting talking to the dead:

Deuteronomy 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:1-25; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14; Isaiah 8:19

The Pastor did not talk about us praying to the dead but did say they could hear.

To listen to what the pastor said, follow this link: The comment occurs within the first 2 minutes of the sermon.

http://www.igospelradio.com/1015.mp3

Please post your thoughts and comments or send them to me via e-mail: tsrk30@sbcglobal.net

Pastor Hammack