Podcast Summary

Podcast: Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton
Episode: 5 Proofs That The Supernatural is REAL | Seeing The Supernatural | Lee Strobel
Date: November 23, 2025
Guest: Lee Strobel

Episode Overview

In this compelling message, Lee Strobel, renowned Christian apologist and former atheist, presents a comprehensive case that the supernatural is real. Drawing from his years of journalistic investigation, Strobel identifies and unpacks five main categories of evidence for supernatural reality, as chronicled in his book, Seeing the Supernatural. The episode weaves together biblical narratives, personal investigations, corroborated medical cases, and cross-cultural phenomena, all aimed at bolstering the faith of believers and challenging skeptics with the evidence for the unseen realm.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biblical Foundation and Skepticism

• Background: Strobel opens with a humorous "Texan" anecdote and an Old Testament account (2 Kings), where Elisha’s servant’s eyes are opened to see an angelic army protecting them (01:55–05:00).
• Main Point: God allowed the servant to see the supernatural, renewing his faith and courage.
• Tone: Personal, witty, and skeptical but open, as Strobel notes, “I’m a skeptic by nature. ... My degrees are in journalism and law. ... I tend to want evidence, data, corroboration.” (06:09)

2. Five Categories of Supernatural Evidence

a) Documented Miracles

• Contemporary Miracles: Are miracles still happening? Strobel answers yes, providing medical cases published in peer-reviewed journals (07:00).
• Case: A woman cured from incurable juvenile macular degeneration after her husband’s prayer—her sight returned instantly and permanently, published by four medical researchers.
  • Quote: “Within seconds, my life had drastically changed. I could see. It was miraculous.” (08:49)
• Criteria for Miracles: “Solid medical documentation, multiple credible eyewitnesses, no natural explanation, and a context of prayer.” (10:45)
• Media Reference: Announcement of The Case for Miracles film (10:55).

b) Deathbed Visions

• Definition: People on the verge of death report seeing the afterlife or deceased loved ones—rooted in Acts 7, the vision of Stephen (12:02).
• Statistics: A New York hospice study: “88% of dying patients reported pre-death visions…” (13:43)
• Corroboration Example: Doris, who had a vision of her father and her sister Vida (unknown to her, deceased two weeks prior) (15:00).
  • Quote (from research): “These experiences are definitely not hallucinations, fantasies or memories caused by grief….” (14:34)
• Notable Story: Charles Templeton, a former atheist and friend of Billy Graham, saw angels on his deathbed.
  • Quote: “Look at them. Oh, their eyes are so beautiful. I’m coming!” (18:21)
• Children’s Visions: They describe angels without popular “cartoon” features, suggesting authentic, non-cultural experiences (20:10).

c) Near Death Experiences (NDEs)

• Definition: Clinically dead persons whose souls separate and observe or experience things they could not otherwise know (20:55).
• Medical Evidence: Detailed cases of observations during NDEs confirmed by third parties.
  • Case: Mary (UK): Saw a hidden sticker on top of a ceiling fan blade during her clinical death (21:56).
  • Case: Katie (USA): Awareness of details in her home when “dead” (24:00).
  • Studies: Blind people reporting visual experiences during NDEs.
    • Quote: “When their spirit returned to their body, they were blind again… Impossible according to current medical knowledge.” (27:02)
• Consistency with Scripture: “If you look at what typically takes place in an average near death experience ... it is 100% consistent with the teachings of the Bible.” (28:39)

d) Contemporary Encounters with Angels

• Scripture Foundation: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve…” (Hebrews 1:14, 13:2) (29:36)
• Modern Case: John G. Paton, missionary in the South Pacific, protected from a hostile mob—witnesses saw an “army” of men in white who weren’t there (30:46).
  • Quote: “No, your house was surrounded by all these muscular men dressed in white with drawn swords.” (32:22)

e) Mystical Dreams and Visions (Especially Among Muslims)

• Context: God uses dreams and visions biblically; currently, large numbers of Muslims report dreams of Jesus prior to conversion.
• Corroboration: These dreams often direct individuals to meet actual Christians who verify their experiences (33:18).
  • Case: Noor (Egypt): Dreamed of Jesus, was told in the dream to seek “my friend”—met the same man in real life, who shared the Gospel (35:09).
  • Case: Omar (Palestinian): Vision prompts him to abandon plans to join Hamas; meets Christians who lead him to Christ (37:41).
• Scale: “This may be the greatest spiritual awakening happening in the world today.” (39:11)
  • Quote (on frequency): “This is so common ... I could call Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq right now and I’ll give you five more stories. This is so common.” (38:39)

3. Synthesis & Conclusion: Is Belief Reasonable?

• Core Claim: The convergence of these categories, with cross-validated stories and facts, make faith in the supernatural “reasonable and rational” (40:03).
• Personal Challenge: Someday, everyone will know first-hand the reality of the supernatural—the only question is what that experience will be (41:00).

4. A Sobering Note: Not All Encounters Are Comforting

• Negative Experiences: Some near-death or deathbed visions are horrifying, often for those far from faith.
  • Case: Howard Storm, atheist professor. Died, encountered tormentors, cried out to Jesus, was rescued—transformed his life and became a pastor (41:50–46:32).
  • Quote: “No horror movie can ever approach the level of cruelty that they inflicted upon me…. In the middle of that, he called out to Jesus—Jesus, save me.” (44:29)

5. Gospel Invitation & Assurance

• Biblical Assurance: Cites 1 John 5:13—believers can know they have eternal life (47:22).
  • Quote: “You don’t have to wonder. You can know for a fact that you have been adopted as a son, as a daughter of the Most High….” (47:34)
• Salvation Message: Urges listeners to accept the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life by faith in Christ (49:10).
• Prayer: Leads a heartfelt prayer for those seeking to know Christ and assurance of eternal life (49:30–51:00).
  • Quote: “Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so much that you endured the torture of the cross so we could be reconciled forever.” (50:12)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “God gave Elisha’s servant an incredible gift that day—He allowed him to see the supernatural.” — Lee Strobel (04:56)
• “I tend to want evidence, I tend to want data, I tend to want corroboration.” — Lee Strobel (06:09)
• “I could see. I could see. And that woman’s eyesight remained intact for the rest of her life, another 50 plus years.” (08:49)
• “These experiences are definitely not hallucinations, fantasies or memories caused by grief.” — Researchers on deathbed visions (14:34)
• “Their eyes… Oh, their eyes are so beautiful. I’m coming.” — Charles Templeton’s last words (18:21)
• “If expectations formed by culture or upbringing aren’t causing the content of children’s deathbed visions, it makes sense they’re coming from somewhere else.” — Lee Strobel (20:18)
• “When their spirit returned to their body, they were blind again. ... according to current medical knowledge.” (27:02)
• “This may be the greatest spiritual awakening happening in the world today.” (39:11)
• “No horror movie can ever approach the level of cruelty that they inflicted upon me.” — Howard Storm, on his NDE (44:29)
• “You don’t have to wonder. You can know for a fact that you have been adopted as a son, as a daughter of the Most High….” (47:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 04:56: Intro, personal story, biblical foundation (Elisha’s servant)
• 07:00 – 10:55: Modern documented miracles
• 12:02 – 19:30: Deathbed visions, biblical and contemporary examples
• 20:55 – 29:14: Near death experiences, multiple corroborated cases
• 29:36 – 32:45: Encounters with angels, modern and biblical perspectives
• 33:18 – 39:11: Mystical dreams and visions among Muslims; case studies
• 41:00 – 46:32: Negative supernatural experiences—Howard Storm’s story
• 47:22 – end: Assurance of salvation, gospel invitation, closing prayer

Final Thoughts

Lee Strobel concludes with reassurance that belief in the supernatural is not blind or wishful thinking, but can be grounded in credible evidence, reason, and faith. He presents a compelling, accessible, and hope-filled invitation for listeners to personally encounter the God of the supernatural.

For more: Visit Lakepointe Church or see Lee Strobel’s latest works (Seeing the Supernatural, The Case for Miracles).