Exodus 22:18 "Thou shalt suffer a witch to live."
I know it's been a while but I want use this next post of my topic on legalism to discuss the mythology of supernatural forces involving witches, wizards, warlocks, sorcerers and other people with supernatural powers. I know Christianity is very touchy on this subject matter but I thought i would be a now a good time to finally analyze this area.
I know for many in the Christian and church community, the topic of witches and wizards is a sore one. Because many believe that such people are forbidden in the bible due to the one verse Exodus 22:18. This includes reading books, watching TV shows or movies about such people and even dressing like them for Halloween. Anything that has remotely to do with the slightest of these things is quickly condemned like some ultimate sin that needs to be avoided at all costs. Ever since success of the British Harry Potter book series and then the movies based off these books, Harry Potter the story of a boy wizard has become quite a phenomenon and has quite a huge fan following.
However, for many Christians the books and the movies are frowned upon has glorying witchcraft. Many religious parents both Christians and Muslims alike have gone further in trying to have the books banned in schools on the belief it encourages witchcraft and the occult. Back in 2005, a Christian mother from Gwinnett County, Georgia, Laura Mallory fiercely tried to have the Harry Potter books banned from one of her children's elementary schools, even going so far as to appeal to the Superior Court of Gwinnett County in 2007 when the State Board of Education decided to retain the books and her appeal was denied. Still determined it was last mentioned she considered taking her case to the federal court although there hasn't been any latest news about it.
A Christian mother, Grace Ann Parsons rewrote Harry Potter as a Christian theme in a fanfiction story, "Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles" under the user name proudhousewife, to replace the witchcraft of the story with a more Christian message for her children to read as well as other Christian children with concerned parents. However, many come to believe the the stories are now satire.
Many among the ultra Christian conservative group openly condemned these books some even resulting to book burning copies and one pastor even stating that parents are better off drowning their children then to let them read Harry Potter. Of course not all Christians oppose the stories. There groups who have supported and welcomed the stories. Christian author Connie Neal wrote books in support of Harry Potter including, "What's a Christian To Do with Harry Potter" and "The Gospel According to Harry Potter". Journalist Mike Hertenstein from a Christian magazine, Cornerstone wrote in article "Harry Potter vs. Muggles, Myth, Magic and Joy" and "God, the Devil and Harry Potter: A Christian minister's Defense of the Beloved Novels" a book by a Presbyterian minister John Killinger. There is even a Christian fanbase of Harry Potter lovers including some Pastors.
Despite the backlash by plenty of Christian critics, there are plenty of Christians among the Harry Potter fandom who don't view the books as a threat to their Christianity, glorifies anything evil as they view the stories for what they are, just fantasy novels about a boy wizard-in training at a magical school. Many even manage to find some Christian virtues and life lessons among these novels, that has to do with friendship, loyalty self-sacrifice, the good combating evil and doing what is righteous. Then there other fantasy fiction stories that attract Christian readers. The Late author C.S Lewis, a Christian, one time atheist who returned to his Christian roots who wrote the mythical "Narnia' trilogy that involves a magical world, with talking animals and other creatures including a witch.
Despite his stories being fantasy, Lewis had unintentionally had some Christian themes added in them. For example, there is the character of Aslan, the talking lion who represents Jesus Christ when he dies and gets resurrected.
Author J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote the classic "Lord of the Ring's trilogy which also spanned a trilogy of hit films was a catholic and claimed to have used some catholic themes in his stories. Plus they're are plenty of fantasy stories that have attracted Christian fans. Classic children's fairy tale stories and the Disney films which are based of them. The classic Oz book trilogy by L. Frank Baum and the legendary 1939 film classic based of one of them "The Wizard of Oz" starring the late legendary Judy Garland. So why for some, stories that have fantasy involving magic and witches and spells are seen as something Christians should avoid at all costs? This mentality has a lot to do with numerous bible scriptures that seem to condemns witches, sorcerers, necromancers( people who talk to the dead), mediums and any form of witchcraft or magic altogether.
The famous verse which I mentioned above in Exodus 22:18 refers to executing anyone who practices witchcraft. Other few examples of bible verses include Revelation 22:15 "Outside are the dogs and sorcerers the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood". Deuteronomy 18:10 "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or daughter in an offering, anyone who practices divination, who tells fortunes, who interprets omens, or a sorcerer". 2 Chronicles 33:6 "He sacrificed his children in the fire in the valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger. Leviticus 20:27 "Any man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.
There are plenty more scriptures in the bible that condemns these practices that it seems logical many Christians would condemn these things as sinful even in pop culture and media which appears to glamorized them. The most famous story in the bible is that of King Saul and the Witch of Endor 1 Samuel chapter 28. In this story, King Saul was battling against the Philistines, and he had tried to contact the Lord but received no answers via dreams nor prophets. He had already banished all the mediums and magicians from the land so he decided to get in touch with a medium known as the Witch of Endor and goes to her in disguise asking her to summon up the spirit of the prophet Samuel to receive advice about the Philistines. When she does this, she is shocked at the sight of Samuel as she is the only one that can see him and then realized who King Saul is. Saul ask her of Samuel's appearance and she gives an accurate description he convinced it's Samuel. The spirit of Samuel tells him that the Lord has turned against him since he didn't obey Him regarding the Amalekites and informs Saul that Israel will lose the battle against the Philistines the next day and he and his sons will die. In the 1 Samuel chapter 31, Samuel's prediction comes true and the King and his sons do all die the next day and the Philistines win the battle.
There are many who believe that the witch didn't conjure up the spirit of Samuel at all but that it was a demon disguised as Samuel and Saul was punished by God as a result even though this "demon" predicted Saul's and his kingdom's downfall to the Philistines. However, others believe the spirit really was that of Samuel since the witch was shocked by his presence and gave a accurate description of him. It's believed that God made an exception by allowing the spirit of Samuel to be summoned in order to warn Saul of his fate and the fate of Israel do to his disobedience to him since God normally allow spirits to return to the living. Then there are those who believe the witch was a con artist and faked the whole seance, pretending not to recognize Saul and that she saw Samuel's spirit since she was the only one who could see him. She likely knew what the prophet Samuel looked like before as was able to dub her voice by using ventriloquism. As for the predictions, it was known that the Philistines were winning in the battle so it wasn't too much speculation they would defeat Israel, and it was only mentioned that Saul would die not how he would die as Saul committed suicide rather than be killed.
Back to the question whether God condemns witchcraft, sorcery, psychics or any kind of magic, the Law of Moses, condemns these practices for numerous reasons. First, it was believed that spirits didn't come from God but were demons in disguise of familiar spirits as I mentioned with the example of King Saul and the Witch of Endor and listed the three possibilities of what transpired with the spirit of Samuel. As for witchcraft, going back to Exodus 22: 18, the Hebrew translation for witch was "m'khashepah" which was referring to a woman who made drugs or spells to harm others by causing either their deaths or loss of property. The masculine form of this word is "m'khasheph". Many believe the word was mistranslated and really meant "poisoner". The King James version of the bible translated the word to mean witch this the verse was used as an excuse by both King James I and V1 to persecute those accused of witchcraft. In fact witch hunting and persecution became predominate during the medieval era throughout Europe and later America where many were unjustly executed for being a witch due to religious fanatics, ignorance and hysteria up until the 18th century.
So what does this all mean regarding witches, wizards, sorcerers etc? Many today are aware that such things don't exist neither does magic and they are all just fantasy only real in stories, books, TV and films and as such no threat to society. So reading stories about such people or watching them in films whether they're good or bad shouldn't be seen as a threat to anyone's Christian faith children or adults alike if they don't allow such stories influence their walk with Christ and children should be taught the different between what is real and make-believe. Besides much of these stories are about the good triumph over evil anyway as the case with Harry Potter and the Oz stories. So allowing fear and paranoia get in the way doesn't help but causes of us to result to legalism and fear dictate our Christian lives. Plus there are those who practice wicca also claim to practice witchcraft although they practice is what is known as white magic or good magic using their skills for good and not harm. In fact wiccans are against doing harm others in general. Although this wouldn't be a wrong itself, wiccans do worship other gods which is against God's will plus the the fact magic isn't real.
In more modern times we can separate from reality and fantasy and enjoy stories that have magic, witchcraft, sorcery, fairies etc. or even dress like them for Halloween without seeing it as threat to our Christian virtues. As Christians as long as we put God, Jesus Christ our Savior as the center of our lives, that's all that matters no matter how many Harry Potter, or the Lord of the Rings series we read or watch.
I know for many in the Christian and church community, the topic of witches and wizards is a sore one. Because many believe that such people are forbidden in the bible due to the one verse Exodus 22:18. This includes reading books, watching TV shows or movies about such people and even dressing like them for Halloween. Anything that has remotely to do with the slightest of these things is quickly condemned like some ultimate sin that needs to be avoided at all costs. Ever since success of the British Harry Potter book series and then the movies based off these books, Harry Potter the story of a boy wizard has become quite a phenomenon and has quite a huge fan following.
However, for many Christians the books and the movies are frowned upon has glorying witchcraft. Many religious parents both Christians and Muslims alike have gone further in trying to have the books banned in schools on the belief it encourages witchcraft and the occult. Back in 2005, a Christian mother from Gwinnett County, Georgia, Laura Mallory fiercely tried to have the Harry Potter books banned from one of her children's elementary schools, even going so far as to appeal to the Superior Court of Gwinnett County in 2007 when the State Board of Education decided to retain the books and her appeal was denied. Still determined it was last mentioned she considered taking her case to the federal court although there hasn't been any latest news about it.
A Christian mother, Grace Ann Parsons rewrote Harry Potter as a Christian theme in a fanfiction story, "Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles" under the user name proudhousewife, to replace the witchcraft of the story with a more Christian message for her children to read as well as other Christian children with concerned parents. However, many come to believe the the stories are now satire.
Many among the ultra Christian conservative group openly condemned these books some even resulting to book burning copies and one pastor even stating that parents are better off drowning their children then to let them read Harry Potter. Of course not all Christians oppose the stories. There groups who have supported and welcomed the stories. Christian author Connie Neal wrote books in support of Harry Potter including, "What's a Christian To Do with Harry Potter" and "The Gospel According to Harry Potter". Journalist Mike Hertenstein from a Christian magazine, Cornerstone wrote in article "Harry Potter vs. Muggles, Myth, Magic and Joy" and "God, the Devil and Harry Potter: A Christian minister's Defense of the Beloved Novels" a book by a Presbyterian minister John Killinger. There is even a Christian fanbase of Harry Potter lovers including some Pastors.
Despite the backlash by plenty of Christian critics, there are plenty of Christians among the Harry Potter fandom who don't view the books as a threat to their Christianity, glorifies anything evil as they view the stories for what they are, just fantasy novels about a boy wizard-in training at a magical school. Many even manage to find some Christian virtues and life lessons among these novels, that has to do with friendship, loyalty self-sacrifice, the good combating evil and doing what is righteous. Then there other fantasy fiction stories that attract Christian readers. The Late author C.S Lewis, a Christian, one time atheist who returned to his Christian roots who wrote the mythical "Narnia' trilogy that involves a magical world, with talking animals and other creatures including a witch.
Despite his stories being fantasy, Lewis had unintentionally had some Christian themes added in them. For example, there is the character of Aslan, the talking lion who represents Jesus Christ when he dies and gets resurrected.
Author J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote the classic "Lord of the Ring's trilogy which also spanned a trilogy of hit films was a catholic and claimed to have used some catholic themes in his stories. Plus they're are plenty of fantasy stories that have attracted Christian fans. Classic children's fairy tale stories and the Disney films which are based of them. The classic Oz book trilogy by L. Frank Baum and the legendary 1939 film classic based of one of them "The Wizard of Oz" starring the late legendary Judy Garland. So why for some, stories that have fantasy involving magic and witches and spells are seen as something Christians should avoid at all costs? This mentality has a lot to do with numerous bible scriptures that seem to condemns witches, sorcerers, necromancers( people who talk to the dead), mediums and any form of witchcraft or magic altogether.
The famous verse which I mentioned above in Exodus 22:18 refers to executing anyone who practices witchcraft. Other few examples of bible verses include Revelation 22:15 "Outside are the dogs and sorcerers the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood". Deuteronomy 18:10 "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or daughter in an offering, anyone who practices divination, who tells fortunes, who interprets omens, or a sorcerer". 2 Chronicles 33:6 "He sacrificed his children in the fire in the valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger. Leviticus 20:27 "Any man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.
There are plenty more scriptures in the bible that condemns these practices that it seems logical many Christians would condemn these things as sinful even in pop culture and media which appears to glamorized them. The most famous story in the bible is that of King Saul and the Witch of Endor 1 Samuel chapter 28. In this story, King Saul was battling against the Philistines, and he had tried to contact the Lord but received no answers via dreams nor prophets. He had already banished all the mediums and magicians from the land so he decided to get in touch with a medium known as the Witch of Endor and goes to her in disguise asking her to summon up the spirit of the prophet Samuel to receive advice about the Philistines. When she does this, she is shocked at the sight of Samuel as she is the only one that can see him and then realized who King Saul is. Saul ask her of Samuel's appearance and she gives an accurate description he convinced it's Samuel. The spirit of Samuel tells him that the Lord has turned against him since he didn't obey Him regarding the Amalekites and informs Saul that Israel will lose the battle against the Philistines the next day and he and his sons will die. In the 1 Samuel chapter 31, Samuel's prediction comes true and the King and his sons do all die the next day and the Philistines win the battle.
There are many who believe that the witch didn't conjure up the spirit of Samuel at all but that it was a demon disguised as Samuel and Saul was punished by God as a result even though this "demon" predicted Saul's and his kingdom's downfall to the Philistines. However, others believe the spirit really was that of Samuel since the witch was shocked by his presence and gave a accurate description of him. It's believed that God made an exception by allowing the spirit of Samuel to be summoned in order to warn Saul of his fate and the fate of Israel do to his disobedience to him since God normally allow spirits to return to the living. Then there are those who believe the witch was a con artist and faked the whole seance, pretending not to recognize Saul and that she saw Samuel's spirit since she was the only one who could see him. She likely knew what the prophet Samuel looked like before as was able to dub her voice by using ventriloquism. As for the predictions, it was known that the Philistines were winning in the battle so it wasn't too much speculation they would defeat Israel, and it was only mentioned that Saul would die not how he would die as Saul committed suicide rather than be killed.
Back to the question whether God condemns witchcraft, sorcery, psychics or any kind of magic, the Law of Moses, condemns these practices for numerous reasons. First, it was believed that spirits didn't come from God but were demons in disguise of familiar spirits as I mentioned with the example of King Saul and the Witch of Endor and listed the three possibilities of what transpired with the spirit of Samuel. As for witchcraft, going back to Exodus 22: 18, the Hebrew translation for witch was "m'khashepah" which was referring to a woman who made drugs or spells to harm others by causing either their deaths or loss of property. The masculine form of this word is "m'khasheph". Many believe the word was mistranslated and really meant "poisoner". The King James version of the bible translated the word to mean witch this the verse was used as an excuse by both King James I and V1 to persecute those accused of witchcraft. In fact witch hunting and persecution became predominate during the medieval era throughout Europe and later America where many were unjustly executed for being a witch due to religious fanatics, ignorance and hysteria up until the 18th century.
So what does this all mean regarding witches, wizards, sorcerers etc? Many today are aware that such things don't exist neither does magic and they are all just fantasy only real in stories, books, TV and films and as such no threat to society. So reading stories about such people or watching them in films whether they're good or bad shouldn't be seen as a threat to anyone's Christian faith children or adults alike if they don't allow such stories influence their walk with Christ and children should be taught the different between what is real and make-believe. Besides much of these stories are about the good triumph over evil anyway as the case with Harry Potter and the Oz stories. So allowing fear and paranoia get in the way doesn't help but causes of us to result to legalism and fear dictate our Christian lives. Plus there are those who practice wicca also claim to practice witchcraft although they practice is what is known as white magic or good magic using their skills for good and not harm. In fact wiccans are against doing harm others in general. Although this wouldn't be a wrong itself, wiccans do worship other gods which is against God's will plus the the fact magic isn't real.
In more modern times we can separate from reality and fantasy and enjoy stories that have magic, witchcraft, sorcery, fairies etc. or even dress like them for Halloween without seeing it as threat to our Christian virtues. As Christians as long as we put God, Jesus Christ our Savior as the center of our lives, that's all that matters no matter how many Harry Potter, or the Lord of the Rings series we read or watch.
