We sometimes hear about events that seem too strange to fit with our usual ways of thinking about what can happen. Someone perceives an appearance of a loved one in danger at the same moment the person is undergoing a crisis at a distant location. A patient who has long ago lost all cognitive functioning suddenly begins to interact with others for a short time before dying. Someone dreams of barely avoiding an accident, and the near miss occurs the next day. Some reports of strange occurrences can be explained away, but repeatedly hearing about such things from credible sources can lead us to wonder whether the world is more mysterious than the predictable order we have taken for granted. This book considers what it would mean for Christians to accept that the natural order has hidden depths that can produce strange phenomena. How might it affect our understanding of such things as divine guidance or petitionary prayer or extraordinary healings? How would we think about God’s action in the world if our understanding of the created order allowed more room for mystery? "Christianity without real mystery and anomalous events is not only blind to the facts but just not that interesting--unlike Holley's book, which is more than interesting. Thought-provoking and open-minded--yet at the same time critical--this is a truly welcome addition to the literature on religious and metanormal experiences. Do yourself a favor: Buy it and then read it attentively." --Dale C. Allison Jr., Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary, author of Encountering Mystery: Religious Experience in a Secular Age "David Holley's Making Room for Mystery is truly a remarkable book. By far the most comprehensive and illuminating book on paranormal experiences I have read. The twenty chapters cover everything from dreams and visions to ghosts, near death experiences, intercessory prayer, and much more. Theologically and spiritually astute and approachable, Making Room for Mystery will enlighten and encourage laypersons and scholars alike. Joining personal accounts, scientific research, and theological reflection, this text provides hope and inspiration without magic and hyperbole. It presents a vision of reality in which paranormal experiences are part of the fabric of life and not supernatural intrusions. I highly recommend it for the seeker, skeptic, and spiritual adventurer." --Bruce Epperly, author of Angels, Mysteries, and Miracles "God moves in paranormal ways, Holley suggests, in this spectacular book about some of the world's stranger things, from clairvoyance and telekinesis to prophetic dreams and ghostly visitations. The work's inviting tone makes room for genuine dialogue, as do the many intriguing case studies. Believers and skeptics alike will find much to appreciate here." --Ryan J. Stark, Professor of Humanities, Corban University "Standing on the shoulders of William James, David Holley provides us with a significant advancement in the study of the paranormal and the extraordinary. Readable and riveting, Making Room for Mystery provides the reader with a typology of the paranormal. This book is highly recommended as a text for a course in comparative religion or for a course in paranormal and primary religious experience. It is also recommended for the book club seeking to engage in lively discussion." Allan W. Eickelmann, Teaching Professor, The University of Southern Mississippi "Dr. Holley makes a clear and carefully reasoned case to take mystery seriously. It is not that we should always expect extraordinary and unusual events to occur nor think we can perform them, but--and this is his real point--if we don't think mystery is in the world, we will miss seeing it, and, consequently, miss seeing the hand of God working with nature and free individuals to heal and redeem creation." --Dennis L. Sansom, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Samford University "Barring anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists, most of us believe in science most of the time. We may not think science has the explanation for absolutely everything, but we assume that the events of our lives take place only in ways consistent with the laws of science. However, there are many reports, some of them apparently credible, of happenings that seem to violate these limitations. David Holley urges persuasively that we ought not automatically disbelieve such reports, but rather 'make room for mystery' in the world and in our lives." --William Hasker, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Huntington University "Despite public interest in the paranormal, many reflective people today are distrustful or uneasy about paranormal activity due to scientific skepticism. In this nuanced, well-researched book, which is the best of its kind and suitable for a wide audience, David Holley reveals in his usual engaging style reasons that Christians and other religious believers might embrace mysterious dimensions of conscious experience in ways