What?
Good read. I think many Christians aren’t really aware of such superstitious behavior.
I guess you can call anything you want to “Christian”.
It’s too bad no one ever thought to collect the things Jesus said and the writings of his apostles into a book. Such a book could have helped clarify whether things such as “White Magic” really are Christian or not.
In the 1800s and early 1900s, one of the most popular “spell books” was “The Long Lost Friend” which drew extensively upon Christian theology to create “spells” that would drive away hexes, curses, evil spirits, bring good fortune, etc. This stuff is the equivalent of “soft porn” in that it seems relatively “not really evil” and supposedly produces results that make the user feel good.
I must confess my woeful inadequacy. In 68 years, this old Baptist fellow has never cast any Christian white magic spells.
Whatever...and you probably wonder why Christianity is in decline...
http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/catholic/interview-with-an-exorcist.aspx#HeqRtfkyX1taJXJJ.01.
An interview with an exorcist
You mean its not St. Joseph himself prompting folks to give me extra money for my house because I buried his idol in my yard?
Practicing Christians do NOT practice magic.
Here’s one for ya:
“What about the spilt salt being tossed over your left shoulder?”
THAT’S MAGIC, TOO!!
Now, to twist your head a little more, I suggest you grab a cup of coffee, your laptop, and look up what some folks call, ‘chaos magick’.
Hint: It isn’t ‘charmed’, or ‘Potterized’, or anything looking like it is ‘practical’, ‘crafted’ or ‘pocused’.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
This is an excellent article. This part here seems to be the critical point, and I do see a lot of people in the US of A who don’t appear to understand it.
“God never promised us that if we do X, we’ll achieve some reward—health or wealth, protection from evil influence, personal guidance, romance, or popularity in the world.”
Most Christians do or should believe in the mantra of:
“God helps those who help themselves and others”
And instead of wasting time casting “spells” which do nothing, do good works and then pray to God for those extra bits that are beyond the material realm, but even then not to rely on the creator for minor things, but only when absolutely necessary.
#3 is wrong.
The Holy Spirit does guide us. And I’m skeptical of any effort to consider appeal to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives as being ‘magical’.
Jesus said He would send The Comforter, the Holy Spirit.
It is absolutely right to pray to this 3rd Person of the Holy Trinity.
I’ve known of a few American Indian preachers in New Mexico and Oklahoma who also are versed in Indian magic, and are often called upon to exorcise spells and break hexes from Indian sorcers and skinwalkers.
Last Sunday’s sermon was precisely about this subject, with emphasis on the wealth prosperity con. The people leading these efforts should be ashamed, but most likely won’t — at least on earth.
Beware! Another 95% truthful commentary with a little Luciferian diversion thrown in, to wit: “Some Christians, often without intention, drift into assumptions that the Holy Spirit “whispers” to us or guides our choices in some hidden way, if only we would take the time and practice to listen to him.”
If you actually read the Bible, several times, you will find that the only times people, e.g. King David, got into trouble was when they didn’t ask YHWH if what they were planning to do was the correct thing to do. Joshua followed YHWH’s instructions on the destruction of Jericho to the letter, but then decided he could handle Ai on his own (Joshua 7). Not a smart move.
The disciples cast lots to pick Judas’ successor (Acts 1:20:26). Everybody gets messages from the Holy Spirit, whether in dreams, trances, or out of the blue.
The source of the “drift into assumptions that the Holy Spirit “whispers” to us”, can be found in 1 Kings 19:
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand †on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and †a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake;
12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that †he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
15 Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.
16 “Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.
17 “It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
18 “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Nelson, Thomas. Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) (p. 353). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Walking with Elohim is a wonderful thing, so don’t let some Sadducee try to take your joy away!
Excellent Article, Thank you for posting!
One thing that the author seemed to leave out is the origin of the “Bubble Magic”.
It is from Hosea, when God plants a hedge around Gomer to protect her from committing adultery.
The “hedge” is also mentioned in The “Song of the Vineyard” in Isaiah 5.
Well-meaning Christians have extended this “Hedge” into this kind of “Bubble” that they invoke around people, nations, and things, to protect them.
Yet, Jesus says in Luke 15, that if one sheep strays, the shepherd will go out after it, and rejoice when it is found.
The Good Shepherd does not expect all of his sheep to stay within the “hedge”. He leaves the “Hedge” and seeks after His own.
I am neither a scholar nor a Theologian, but I know a superstition when I see one! The sad thing is when the superstition is presented with an out-of-context Bible Verse, and therefore sounds holy.
And don’t forget that most futile of magic spells, where pulling a lever in a voting booth can advance the plans of the Messiah.