Podcast Summary:

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Episode: Best of 2025: What Does the Bible Say About the Supernatural? (Part 1 of 2)
Date: December 18, 2025
Guest: Lee Strobel
Main Resource: Lee Strobel’s book Seeing the Supernatural

Overview & Main Theme

This episode delves into the biblical and contemporary realities of the supernatural – angels, miracles, near-death experiences, dreams, encounters with God, and the unseen world. Host Jim Daly, co-host John Fuller, and guest Lee Strobel (atheist-turned-Christian journalist and best-selling apologist) explore why humans are fascinated by the supernatural, how Christianity understands these phenomena, and how believers should approach evidence of miracles and mystical encounters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Are People Drawn to the Supernatural?

• Lee Strobel observes that about 80% of people believe in something beyond the physical world, despite the scientific materialism prevalent in culture (04:17).
• Curiosity is fueled by popular media—shows about ghosts, UFOs, and the occult abound.
• Quote: “8 out of 10 people believe that there is something beyond what we can see and touch.” – Lee Strobel (04:17)

Strobel’s Investigative Skepticism

• Strobel’s background: former atheist and investigative journalist for the Chicago Tribune.
• He frames his faith on substantiated evidence, looking for corroboration of claims.
• Quote: “I want corroboration, you know, I want facts. Give me evidence. That’s just how I am.” – Lee Strobel (05:54)

Modern Supernatural Encounters

• Testimony of a Secret Service agent who felt an overwhelming hug from his mother at the exact moment of her death (06:34)—a story even skeptics and scientists struggle to explain with purely natural causes.

• Strobel stresses open-minded skepticism: not every claim is miraculous, but some have strong evidence or impact.

• Quote: “Often the evidence is much stronger that it’s some sort of supernatural encounter.” – Lee Strobel (08:23)

• Pentecostal Expectation:

  • Shared story: a boy fell out of a moving car and was saved—claimed he was “caught by a man” (potential angelic intervention) (08:49).
  • Reflection on how some church traditions have a vibrant expectation of the supernatural that others lack.

• Miraculous Rescue:

  • Pastor John Boston’s car was electrified after an accident; a mysterious “scruffy man” opened the jammed door, pulled him out, then vanished—no other explanation but angelic help (09:51).

Biblical and Scientific Views on the Soul

• The soul is described as the seat of consciousness, will, and introspection (11:21).

• Some modern neuroscientists and scientific materialists argue that people are “just a brain,” but Strobel and some experts point out that science cannot disprove the soul’s existence.

• Strobel cites biblical evidence for the soul’s persistence after death (e.g., Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross).

• Coffee Analogy: Neuroscientist compares the mystery of soul/consciousness to describing the aroma of coffee—science can’t fully capture subjective experience (13:34).

• Quote: “We could talk about the physical makeup of caffeine...that doesn’t get us to the smell of coffee...that’s what the soul, the consciousness, the spirit provides to us.” – Lee Strobel (13:43)

Are Miracles Still Happening?

• Miracles appear in clusters, especially in places where the Gospel is newly advancing (e.g., Mozambique, Brazil, China) (15:32).
• Strobel insists on documentation—peer-reviewed studies, medical journals, eyewitness accounts.
• Example: A woman, blind for 12 years, instantly regains sight after prayer—her case is published in a peer-reviewed journal (16:47).
  • Surveys show 38% of American adults claim to have experienced a miracle.
• Quote: “God is still in the miracle business.” – Lee Strobel (17:44)
• Scientific studies (e.g., by a Harvard-educated professor) affirm “something is going on” in places reporting miracles (17:31).

Supernatural Encounters in Everyday Life

• Medical professionals increasingly acknowledge the benefits of prayer and faith (18:46).
• Difficulty in studying prayer scientifically, as those not “assigned prayer” are still likely being prayed for (19:26).

Dramatic Stories of Conversion

• Evel Knievel’s supernatural encounter: He sensed God speaking to him internally, prompting his conversion to Christ. His testimony led 700 people to faith in one service (19:50–21:45).
• Quote: “God said to me, Robert, I’ve saved you more times than you’ll ever know. Now you need to come to me through my son, Jesus.” – Evel Knievel as recounted by Lee Strobel (20:16)

Supernatural Among Muslims: Dreams and Visions

• Tom Doyle recounts Muslims in the Middle East having dreams of Jesus, which lead them to Christians who share the Gospel (22:11).

• Example: Noor, a Muslim woman, dreams of Jesus and is later approached by a stranger she saw in her dream, who happens to be a missionary (23:08).

• Such dreams are common enough that local newspapers invite readers to call if they’ve seen “the man in white.”

• Jim Daly shares a story about God’s individualized grace, revealed through dreams and near-death experiences, particularly with Muslims (24:52).

• Quote: “Oh, do you set the boundaries of my grace?...I love every one of my creation, Everyone.” – Jim Daly, recounting his spiritual impression (24:52)

• Strobel shares about a Muslim woman in Texas who dreams of a man baptizing her. She later meets him at church, leading to remarkable confirmation and her conversion (25:26).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I wish I was William Shatner. That sounds like a show he would be hosting.” – Jim Daly, on the book title Seeing the Supernatural (03:45)
• “If I didn’t believe in God before that, I do now.” – Secret Service agent, recounted by Lee Strobel (07:12)
• “We do see miracles in clusters around the planet...where the Gospel is just breaking in.” – Lee Strobel (15:32)
• “When he was baptized, he shared his testimony...700 people came forward in two services. Christianity Today did an article about it. It was like Pentecost.” – Lee Strobel, about Evel Knievel’s conversion (21:22)
• “Call this number and we’ll tell you about the man in white you encountered in your dream last night.” – Lee Strobel, regarding Middle East evangelism (23:49)

Importance of Expecting and Recognizing the Supernatural

• Some traditions foster greater anticipation of God’s supernatural activity.
• Healthy skepticism is good within faith but should not dismiss genuine supernatural interventions.
• Scientific rigor and faith are not mutually exclusive when investigating these events.

Personal and Global Testimonies

• Listeners are encouraged to recall moments of perceived supernatural intervention and to remain open to how God may work today.
• Miraculous encounters lead to deeper faith, evangelistic opportunities, and encouragement across nations and cultures.

Important Timestamps

• Interest in the Supernatural: 04:17–05:14
• Lee Strobel’s background: 05:26–06:00
• Secret Service agent story: 06:34–07:20
• Discussion of skepticism within the church: 07:39–08:49
• Miracle of the boy caught from a car: 08:49–09:46
• Pastor John Boston car accident story: 09:51–10:54
• What is the soul? 11:21–13:28
• Coffee and the soul analogy: 13:34–14:22
• Modern miracles and medical evidence: 15:32–17:27
• Survey on miracles: 17:35–18:46
• Medical recognition of prayer/spirit: 18:46–19:41
• Evel Knievel’s conversion: 19:50–21:45
• Muslim dreams of Jesus: 22:11–23:49
• Story of Muslim woman’s dream and baptism: 25:26–26:18

Tone and Style

The speakers are candid, earnest, and conversational, mixing investigative rigor with personal faith and humility. Strobel and Daly balance skepticism with wonder, inviting listeners to be discerning yet open to the evidence for the supernatural.

Conclusion

This episode weaves powerful stories, personal reflections, biblical theology, and scientific inquiry to examine how the supernatural remains active and relevant for Christians today. Lee Strobel’s investigative lens brings credibility to miraculous claims, and the stories shared offer encouragement for faith and evangelism. The hosts urge listeners to remain alert for God’s work, both in dramatic miracles and personal encounters.

For further exploration:
Check out Lee Strobel’s book Seeing the Supernatural for more stories and in-depth investigation, or listen to Part 2 of the episode for the continuation of these insights.