The Bible is a sacred text revered by Christians around the world. It contains stories, teachings, and moral principles that guide believers in their faith. Throughout the Bible, there are various references to supernatural powers, miracles, and spiritual beings. However, not all supernatural practices are condoned or encouraged. One of the main themes in the Bible is the concept of God's sovereignty and the prohibition of seeking supernatural power outside of Him. Numerous passages in the Bible explicitly forbid the use of certain supernatural spells or practices.
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
As I watched certain movies made for the young and the young at heart, my mind was transported to another place and time, with me imagining that I was the hero, and that I had the same power that they did. As we see in the Book of Acts, and in some of the later magical papyri, people tried to use the name of Jesus in magic to perform exorcisms or other rites.
Numerous passages in the Bible explicitly forbid the use of certain supernatural spells or practices. **The main idea is that believers should not engage in forbidden supernatural spells or seek power outside of God.** The book of Deuteronomy, for example, warns against divination, witchcraft, sorcery, and calling on the spirits of the dead (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).
Thinking About Magic: (1) Was Jesus a Magician?
There has been a long enmity between Christianity and magic, and for good reason: both Old Testament and New are clear that magic and divination are forbidden. Christians are not to look to magic spells for protection, to cure illness, or do anything else; they are not to try to tell the future using spirits, fortune telling or any other means. Although magicians were fairly common in the ancient world, available for hire, Christians have always been taught to reject their methods. Christians were not to use the spells that are recorded in papyri of the time; spells to heal illness, pronounce curses on others or protect from evil spirits. Christians have always rejected magic.
Jesus the Magician?
Or have they? There’s a lot of controversy over this: indeed, there’s a long tradition that says the Bible is not against magic, at least not in any straightforward way. For instance, some people in New Testament times, saw Jesus just as another travelling magician, doing magical healings and exorcisms. [1] A number of scholars have tried to interpret Jesus in these terms too. [2] The historian Morton Smith energised the “Jesus as magician” movement in 1978, claiming that Jesus was a magician because he did the things described in magical papyri of the time—healings and exorcisms. [3]
These arguments might appear to have a superficial validity. People certainly saw Jesus as a source of magical power. As we see in the Book of Acts, and in some of the later magical papyri, people tried to use the name of Jesus in magic to perform exorcisms or other rites. [4]
Jesus—Power Without Magic
But the fact that Jesus did some things that magicians also wanted to do does not prove that he was acting like a magician. The influence probably went the other way: the practitioners who put the magical papyri together may well have copied Jesus. Jesus, as presented in the gospels, is notably different from ancient magicians: he didn’t use any of the artifacts—bowls, amulets, herbs etc.—listed for use in ancient magic. He didn’t use incantations—long series of words, calling upon multiple supernatural beings, with mysterious untranslatable magic words. In fact, Jesus’ words in Aramaic in Mark 5:41 and 7:34 may well have been translated specifically so that readers would know they are not magic words. Jesus simply commanded, and it happened (as the centurion recognised, in Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10).
Power over Spirits
Similarly, in exorcisms Jesus’ commands to the “daimons”—unclean spirits – were extremely brief; he didn’t need magic words, or to call upon the names of deities. He simply commands the spirits to go. Once they were gone, too, they were gone for good; he did not provide amulets or other protection from them coming back, as found frequently in ancient magic. The way demons reacted to him is similar to how they were meant to react to magical rings or amulets; Jesus himself was infused with power.
Jesus, in his exorcisms, was no doubt familiar with what other exorcists attempted to do. In his lack of artifice, and his words spoken with personal authority, he subverted the rationale of such exorcists; proving that he was God, he did not need magic. Jesus made the claim that his exorcisms signified the coming of the kingdom of God (Luke 11:20). In contrast, contemporary exorcisms were not considered signs of the coming of the kingdom of God. [5] This is part of how Jesus, and the gospel writers, shows he is different from the ancient magic workers, and his understanding of what he was doing is different.
Opponents of Magic
Jesus and the apostles, in contrast to magicians, are portrayed as staunch opponents of magic; they were—not magicians themselves. As Luke demonstrates, the differences are obvious: magicians exalt themselves and try to misappropriate authority (Acts 8:18-19; 19:13-14); they seek to turn people away from the word of God. But Christian leaders, on the other hand, bring glory not to themselves but God, so that people will believe the word and thereby gain release from Satan’s authority. Even the demons testify to the difference between Christian leaders and magicians (Acts 19:15).
The context in which the apostles’ miracles are presented, and the explanation of them, has to be taken seriously. Simon in Acts 8 is rejected because he has fundamentally misunderstood what supernatural power is for. He wants the power for his own ends, rather than proclaim the good news because it is the good news. Bar-Jesus in Acts 13 was not simply defeated in a magical power-struggle; the symbolism of his punishment is significant. He was blind to the gospel, so received physical blindness as well. It is notable that in Acts 12 Barnabas and Paul could have assumed the role of magicians, avatars of Zeus and Hermes, but they did not, instead proclaiming the living God.
Jesus: Majesty, not Magic
In the end, the fact that Jesus is God is what makes the fundamental difference between him and the magicians. The power is actually his—and is loaned to his apostles. Ultimately, what Jesus’ power demonstrates is not his skill in wielding it, nor even his strength, although both of those also mark him out against ancient magicians. The key thing about Jesus’ power is that he brings in the resurrection age.
Jesus’ Power and Christian Confidence
Jesus’ resurrection gives us the primary context for understanding where Christians stand in relation to magic. In his death and resurrection, Jesus defeated the powers of evil that were called upon for magic. As the resurrected ruler of the universe, he stands in triumph over them. Anyone who belongs to Christ need not fear magic, and has no need for magic; every Christian already has every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3). Being in Christ truly does cast out all fear: the fear that magic might otherwise have addressed. Jesus is risen and victorious, and the future hope he points to is certain.
Jesus came to a world that believed in magic; a world in which ghosts and spirits were dangerous, and interacted with people. Some of what he did is understood in this context. But he wasn’t a magician—he was God incarnate. He defeated the magical powers so that those who shared in him and his Spirit, could no longer be dominated by them. He told the truth about these powers. He made magical ritual unnecessary, because the new life he offered had acceptance by God as its cornerstone.
Photos: Babak Fakhamzadeh, Darren and Brad(inset); flickr.com
[1] Justin Martyr (110-165) defends Christ against this charge in his first Apology, XXX. See online http://www.newadvent.org/fathe…
[2] See David E. Aune ‘Magic in early Christianity’, Aufstieg und Niedergang der Roemischen Welt, II vol 23.2, 1980, pp. 1507-1557.
[3] Morton Smith, Jesus the Magician (New York: Harper and Row, 1978); see also his Clement of Alexandria and a Secret Gospel of Mark (Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1973).
[4] See Hans Dieter Betz (ed), The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, Including the Demotic
Spells, 2nd ed, (Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 1992), pp. 307, 323.
[5] Graham H. Twelftree, ‘Jesus the exorcist and ancient magic’, in Labahn and Peerbolte (eds), A Kind of Magic, pp. 57-86, p. 85, note 140.
Kirsty Birkett is a lecturer at Oak Hill Theological College, where she teaches in Ethics, Philosophy, and Science and Theology. She has written extensively on aspects of scientific and philosophical thought as they relate to Christian theology. She has previously worked for the Universities of New South Wales and Sydney as a tutor in history and philosophy of science; has taught at Moore Theological College, and served on the Board of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students.
Black magic is an ancient practice, and many Old Testament commands forbade the Israelites from all association with witchcraft or sorcery. Deuteronomy 18:10 says, “Let no one be found among you . . . who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft.” Under Israel’s theocracy, the penalty for being a witch was death (Exodus 22:18). Many other Old Testament passages condemn black magic along with witchcraft in its many forms (Micah 3:7; 5:12; 2 Kings 21:6; Leviticus 19:26, 31; Deuteronomy 18:14).
It states that such practices are an abomination to the Lord and can lead to spiritual destruction. This prohibition is reinforced in other books of the Bible, such as Leviticus and Exodus. The New Testament also upholds the prohibition of certain supernatural practices. In Galatians 5:19-21, the Apostle Paul includes sorcery, witchcraft, and idolatry among the works of the flesh, emphasizing that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Similarly, in Acts 19:18-20, the people of Ephesus are depicted burning their occult books in a public display of remorse and repentance. The Bible teaches that seeking supernatural power outside of God is not only forbidden but also dangerous. The story of King Saul in 1 Samuel illustrates this. When Saul sought guidance from a medium, even though such practices were strictly prohibited, it ultimately led to his downfall and death. In contrast to the forbidden supernatural spells, the Bible encourages believers to seek a personal relationship with God and to rely on His power and guidance. Through prayer, faith, and obedience to His commandments, believers can experience the true supernatural work of God in their lives. In conclusion, the Bible prohibits the use of certain supernatural spells and practices. Believers are warned against engaging in divination, sorcery, witchcraft, and seeking power outside of God. The main idea is that believers should rely on God's supernatural power and seek a personal relationship with Him rather than seeking supernatural power in forbidden ways..
Reviews for "Unholy Magic: Forbidden Supernatural Spells in the Bible's Shadows"
1. John Smith - 1/5 stars - This book was a complete waste of time. The author tries to assert that there are forbidden supernatural spells in the Bible, but fails to provide any concrete evidence or references. It felt more like a work of fiction rather than a well-researched and documented analysis. I found the arguments weak and unconvincing. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a serious and scholarly examination of the Bible's supernatural elements.
2. Sarah Johnson - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Forbidden supernatural spells in the bible," but I was left disappointed. The author seems to cherry-pick obscure passages from the Bible and interpret them in a way that aligns with their preconceived notions about supernatural spells. However, the book lacks critical analysis and fails to consider the historical and cultural context of these passages. It feels like a stretch to claim that the Bible contains forbidden spells when alternative interpretations and explanations are available. Overall, I found the book lacking in scholarly rigor and would not recommend it to those seeking a balanced and well-reasoned exploration of the Bible's supernatural aspects.
3. Emily Thompson - 1/5 stars - I found "Forbidden supernatural spells in the bible" to be highly misleading and lacking in substance. The author presents their own subjective interpretations as if they are factual evidence. There is a clear bias towards promoting the idea of forbidden spells in the Bible without providing solid evidence or addressing counter-arguments. The book felt more like a personal agenda than a scholarly work. I would advise readers to approach this book with caution, as it fails to deliver on its promises and offers little value for those seeking a serious examination of the Bible's supernatural elements.