The film makes it look easy. Just say, “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” and the character by the same name appears. According to the film’s narrative, Beetlejuice has left the place of the dead and entered the land of the living. He has left the here-after, for the here and now.

On the one hand, the Bible portrays travel after death as impossible. Abraham tells Dives in Hell, regarding Lazarus in Heaven, “There is a great gulf, and none may pass over.”
However, in the Hebrew Bible, the witch of Endor is able to call Samuel from the grave at the request of King Saul. Samuel is not happy to take the call. Or, to make an appearance.
So, is death close to life or far away? If we pay attention to the scripture, it is both. When the first Christian martyr, Stephen, is dying, he can see heaven and Jesus standing by God.
Halloween has a bad reputation. It has been commandeered by the scary, the evil, and the occult. But originally, it was to remember the dead, not to invite them to a party. As we live, we should also remember those who once lived. They are not coming here, but we are going there.
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Mark Ross
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