Questions & Answers

We have not searched historical documents of the Lutheran church regarding this question. However, we would say that there are three main possible sources of such experiences. They are:

1. Products of the person's mind like dreams. In some cases drugs may play a role.
2. Satanic visions intended to mislead the person.  Satan can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). A message that says there is no hell or that life after death is good for everyone is Satanic whether it comes directly from Satan or from the person's mind.
3. God and his angels can appear to his children. God and angels have appeared in dreams.

Study of these experiences suggests that most of them seem to be products of the person's mind and wishes. Catholics see Mary. Hindus see one of their gods, etc. Some of the experiences are comforting. Some terrifying. Most seem to be produced by the mind of the person, but the other two sources cannot be ruled out. One has to look at them on a case by case basis. 

If the message received is contrary to Scripture, we know that we cannot believe it. Some of the apparitions of Mary may be psychological. Some may be Satanic. We may not be able to determine the sources in some cases.