Ancient Christian magic refers to the practices and beliefs surrounding magical traditions within early Christianity. Magic was a common phenomenon during this time, and early Christians were not exempt from its influences. However, their view on magic was complex and varied. Early Christians often encountered magical practices and beliefs in the Greco-Roman world in which they lived. Magic was deeply rooted in the societies of the time, and people sought magical remedies for various problems and desires. Christians, who were not immune to these societal influences, had to navigate the fine line between their faith and the prevalent magical practices.
And it happened, when the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea at the time of King Herod, the magicians arrived from the East in Jerusalem, as Zoroaster had predicted. And they had offerings with them, gold, frankincense and myrrh, so they worshipped him and offered their offerings. —The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Savior
Ever since Matthew told the story of the birth of Jesus, Christianity has been surrounded by magic and we ve been afraid to talk about it ever since. These remarkable Christian magical texts include curses, spells of protection from headless powers and evil spirits, spells invoking thunderous powers, descriptions of fire baptism, and even recipes from a magical cookbook.
Christians, who were not immune to these societal influences, had to navigate the fine line between their faith and the prevalent magical practices. The relationship between Christianity and magic can be traced back to the New Testament itself. The Acts of the Apostles records an incident in which Simon Magus, a sorcerer, attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles.
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In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men (Gk. MAGOS, meaning “magicians”) from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.—Matthew 2:1-3, NRSV
And it happened, when the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea at the time of King Herod, the magicians arrived from the East in Jerusalem, as Zoroaster had predicted. And they had offerings with them, gold, frankincense and myrrh, so they worshipped him and offered their offerings. —The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Savior
Ever since Matthew told the story of the birth of Jesus, Christianity has been surrounded by magic…and we’ve been afraid to talk about it ever since! The magicians, who offered the tools of their trade to baby Jesus, became “kings” as their legend developed. No longer were they spell casters and dream interpreters! Eventually they had crowns and ruled kingdoms. But I believe both Matthew and the Arabic Gospel of the Infancy are very clear, magicians appeared at the birth of Jesus. Why they were drawn to visit Jesus will forever remain a mystery, but they were definitely there.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, most people will be surprised to know that magic has been practiced by Christians since the very beginning. The word itself, MAGEIA, was a foreign word to the Greek speakers who lived during the time of Jesus. (The English word Magi comes from the Greek word MAGOS which means “magician.”) Magic was a word that had lots of negative connotations attached to it, so early Christian practitioners called it “theurgy” or “divine work” instead. They used amulets and spells for protection, defense and healing, but they stopped short of calling it magic.
Hmmm, sounds like magic to me! I read a fascinating book edited by Marvin W. Mayer and Richard Smith, entitled Ancient Christian Magic: Coptic Texts of Ritual Power. It contains exactly what you think it does: spells that were cast by Christians from the 1st through the 6th century. It even has a story of magical advice that was given by Christ himself.
Now, I know most Christians would flip over this info but for those of us who are interested in the ties between Pagan and Christian spirituality, it is most interesting indeed. While it’s clear that magic was not practiced by the majority of Christian believers there have always been some who integrated magic into their Christian beliefs and saw no contradiction with this whatsoever. Most of the spells in the book deal with things such as healing, love, prosperity, protection during pregnancy, and protection against evil spirits. This is definitely familiar territory for modern Wiccans!
The magical work the early Christians performed parallels the magical work that was also being done by Pagans of old. Not surprisingly, the Church outlawed these practices. Therefore, many “magicians” had to go into hiding for fear of being arrested and even killed. (Hmmm…now where have we heard THAT before?) Thankfully, some of these old writings were hidden and eventually discovered in places such as the Nag Hammadi Codexes. Now they have been translated into English so that we can ponder a subject that has been virtually silent for two thousand years.
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"This book is a treasure-trove of material illustrating folk beliefs and practices of a people in Egypt spanning more than a thousand years."—Birger A. Pearson, University of California, Berkeley
This event suggests that magic was present in the early Christian community and causing concerns among the leaders. Early Christian theologians and Church Fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo and Tertullian, condemned magical practices and beliefs. They saw magic as a form of idolatry and a departure from Christian orthodoxy. These theologians believed that true divine power could only be accessed through prayer and faith in God. Despite the Church's official stance against magic, there is evidence to suggest that some Christians incorporated magical practices into their faith. Amulets, charms, and magical objects associated with protective or healing powers have been found in Christian contexts. It seems that some believers saw no conflict between their Christian beliefs and the utilization of magical means to achieve their desired outcomes. Christian magical practices often revolved around healing and protection. Ancient texts called "magical spells" were used to invoke divine assistance and protection against evil forces. These spells typically contained prayers, biblical verses, and invocations of heavenly beings. The use of magical practices in Christianity was likely an adaptation of existing magical traditions, reinterpreted through the lens of Christian theology. While modern Christianity has largely distanced itself from magical practices, ancient Christian magic reveals the complex and diverse nature of early Christian beliefs. It shows that believers navigated the fine line between their faith and the prevalent magical practices of their time. The condemnation of magic by Church authorities did not completely eradicate its influence on early Christianity, and aspects of magical beliefs and practices continue to be documented in ancient Christian contexts..
Reviews for "The Rituals and Practices of Ancient Christian Magical Users"
1. Sally - 1 out of 5 stars
I was really disappointed with "Ancient Christian Magic." The book made all these grand promises about revealing the secrets of ancient Christian magic, but it fell short in delivering any substantial information. The content was confusing and poorly organized, making it difficult to follow the author's arguments. Additionally, the book lacked any real depth or analysis of the topic, and instead felt like a collection of loosely related anecdotes. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read.
2. Peter - 2 out of 5 stars
I had high hopes for "Ancient Christian Magic," but unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations. While the book did provide some interesting historical facts and examples of ancient Christian magic, it quickly devolved into a series of repetitive and tangential narratives. The author seemed more interested in providing a broad overview of the topic rather than delving into any meaningful analysis or interpretation. Consequently, the book felt shallow and lacked the depth I was hoping for. I would not recommend it to those looking for a comprehensive understanding of ancient Christian magic.
3. Laura - 2 out of 5 stars
I found "Ancient Christian Magic" to be a disjointed and confusing read. The book lacked a clear structure and organization, which made it difficult to follow the author's arguments and ideas. Additionally, it seemed like the author was trying to cover too much information in a limited space, resulting in a superficial treatment of the subject matter. I was left wanting more in-depth analysis and examples, rather than the surface-level overview that was provided. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others seeking a comprehensive understanding of ancient Christian magic.