Jonathan Burnside Posted: 20 December 2010
Keywords: Christianity & Religion,
Is witchcraft real? What do witches think they are doing when they engage in witchcraft? Why does the Bible have so much to say about witchcraft, and how does it apply to the typical Western materialist who doesn’t believe in witchcraft anyway? Witchcraft is often present in society because it expresses something deep-seated in our broken humanity, namely, our desire to carve out a space where we can make things happen apart from God. The seriousness of witchcraft tends to be overlooked both in materialist societies, such as the UK, that pretend spiritual activity doesn’t exist and in societies that actively collude with supernatural powers, such as South Africa. The Bible presents a challenge to both sorts of worldview because it recognises there is a spiritual world – but one which is subject to Jesus Christ’s authority. Also available in French.
I found this stimulating and timely. However what it does not address directly which would have been helpful is the resurgence of paganism and its claims to a place at the top table in inter faith dialogue and representations. Is allowing such inviting witchcraft into the very structure of our society or recognising a fact that already exists on the ground? Are all pagans witches (or wizards)?
David Evans 23 December 2010
I am 66.2 184/118=BMI34.8, retired Chartered Accountant living in SE London UK, about to emigrate to Kenya. I was born in Johannesburg, lived there with my parents for 15 monthw, and am a 4th generation white African. I have dual nationality. My mother (d.28.7.2000), a 3rd generation white South African, was raped by her maternal grandfather when she was about three and grew up to be a top-class International witch. From summer 1951 until late 1954, Marion practised witchcraft on my father, on me and, to a small extent, but still sufficient to compromise his whole life, on my brother, Gordon, 31 months my junior. All they did with my brother was when, aged about four, he wandered into their bedroom one night, having been disturbed by sounds he did not understand, my father immediately slapped him very hard acros his face, the resultant shock ensuring he would not recall anything they did or said while he was in there. He never dared venture into our parents bedroom at night again.
This, oh this, is witchcraft, the finest that money can buy, yet it is about 1% of all that my mother caused to be perpetrated and herself perpetrated, against me. But then I was her first-born son.
18.1.11.T; 24.00
Malcolm Jude George Kirkpatrick 18 January 2011
One lingering question - where do the Magi fit into the biblical view of magic ? The 3/14/n wise ones seem not be about control, manipulation, etc., but about finding truth. Yet the Magi's culture seems to be astrology, prophecy, magic in so many ways. None of my commentaries address this at all - let alone the possibility of magi including wise women!
Any comments or insights welcome.
John Oliver 8 February 2011
for more on the nature of the occult see http://www.scribd.com/doc/27930647/Jesus-Christ-Reiki-Occult-and-New-Age
as to pagans/witches/sangomas whatever you might call them, they have in most cases access to a reality to which access is forbidden by God by pain of death - so go there knowing that God will keep His word.
turn and go to God through Christ!
gabriel 16 March 2011
I appreciate that you critique both the worldview that denies the supernatural and the one that acknowledges it but dis-empowers God. Also, you perspective on witchcraft being denial of relationship/reliance upon God is not one I had considered in those terms. Thank you for a new lens through which to view this issue - one that may be helpful as I consider it further. I do feel, however, that in the section, "The Wicked Witch(ery) of the West," you do essentially take on the materialistic worldview. Perhaps this is to give a usable example of your principles to those in the west who do deny the supernatural. I think a better example, however, would be to show how what we consider to be "bad" is indeed witchcraft, not simply a dynamic equivalent. For example, when we say to someone, "I hope you die," could this not actually be a curse - even if we are unaware that we are calling upon spiritual forces? I wonder if even one who denies the spirit realm may acknowledge there is indeed power in such thoughts and actions.
Arthur 19 March 2011
Those interested in exploring contemporary Wicca and Paganism from a Christian perspective may also find the following resources of interesting, including a special edition of Sacred Tribes Journal 2/2 (Fall 2005): http://www.sacredtribesjournal.org/stj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=55, and the book by Philip Johnson and Gus diZerega, Beyond the Burning Times: A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue (Lion, 2009), which I edited: http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Burning-Times-Christian-Dialogue/dp/0745952720.
John W. Morehead 19 March 2011
Is witchcraft in fact a lot closer to the heart of the western worldview than we credit? Most of the people that I speak to who aren't Christians nonetheless believe in a spiritual world. Moreover, they believe that their actions affect that world. Your basic definition of control wothout relationship is exactly how they feel that it operates. E.g. I do something good and it will come back to me. Likewise if I do something evil, it has consequences. From lucky underpants, to attempting to divine the future from coincidences, to superstitions, it's all essentially the witchcraft mode of operation. Even the very materialists Guardian newspaper has written saying that, to be successful you need not just intellectual and emotional but also spiritual intelligence. Perhaps all that materialism has done is made people embarrassed to name their witchcraft as such.
Peter Harris 5 April 2011
PS apologies for misspellings above - typed while watching our newborn baby!
Peter Harris 5 April 2011
Thanks Jonathan for a thoughtful paper. Interesting idea that the control and manipulation essence of witchcraft can be found in western relationships and behaviours too ... you mention subliminal advertising, spin doctoring, hidden persuasions, people motivaion hot buttons, etc
Would be interested to know of good resources on Godly ways of relating creatively (e.g. respecting personal agency, transparency and what else?) contrasted with control and manipulation. For instance when does encouragement of aspects of what is good in a person, become manipulation. When does promoting the features and benefits step over the line into spin doctoring. Do government TV ads featuring 'acted scenarios' of how to talk to others about their alcohol problems constitute "psychological ‘scripts’". Keep this stuff coming ....
David 14 May 2011
It is so true! We seek to find awrsens and solutions in our knowledge and what we believe to be the "truth" without, or sometimes lastly, seeking God's will through His Word or through prayer.I am guilty for this. More and more I want to seek to change my worldview away from the world and flesh and onto Christ and the Bible. It is so hard to do this when we are entrenched in this world. But yet, we are called to be set apart. Therefore, I know that it is possible!Thanks for sharing what you are learning! Michael and I continue to pray for you all!
Sebastian 25 February 2012