Snapshot: Wicca and Witchcraft

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When someone uses the word “witchcraft” what comes to your mind? The TV show “Bewitched”? Broomhilda? Silly Halloween decorations? Witch doctors in Africa? Worshippers of Satan? Obviously the word has many connotations and is used in a variety of ways. And sometimes the various ways can be very confusing.

Take for instance the matter of Wicca. Wicca is a modern form of witchcraft. Although it claims to be the “Old Religion” and its adherents believe that their belief system can be traced to prehistoric times, in fact Wicca was basically created by a few individuals in the 20th century—Gerald Gardner and Alex Sanders among them. What they created is a pagan, occult religious system came to be called Wicca. But often Wiccans will refer to their beliefs and practices as “witchcraft.” And this is what causes confusion. Continue reading →

Good Friday Meditation

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6:00 a.m.

First light. A new day is just beginning. But for the Son of God, it will be his last day of natural life on this earth.

He sighs. He has been through so much in just the past few hours. Betrayal by a friend; betrayal with a kiss. Arrest. Mocking. The sham of a trial. False accusers and false charges. Utter rejection and feigned horror at the truth He spoke. “Blasphemy!” Now, he has been brought to the Roman governor, to face yet another inquisition, to be charged and found guilty for speaking God’s own truth.

He can hear the city beginning to stir. This is a big day. Passover. In the Temple morning worship is beginning. Incense and prayers and songs. Right now the morning sacrifice is being prepared to be slain, made ready to be offered up to God. An innocent lamb. Right now the eternal sacrifice is being prepared to be crucified, made ready to be offered to God for the people. The Lamb of God. Continue reading →

A Mind Wasted

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[Preface: In order to understand the “why” of this writing, you have to scroll down to the very end. I said the end, boy, did ya hear me, the end!]

Once upon a midnight dreary
While I pondered weak and weary
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore…

Wait a minute! That’s not right. It’s only 4:22 pm. I have 7 hours and 38 minutes to go until midnight. And I’m not pondering anything much. That’s the problem. My brain has been drained and I am in a zombie state. Trapped… trapped… oooooohhh… trapped here in this office, never to see the light of day. {{Until morning that is.}} Continue reading →

A New Age “Blessing” (or Curse?)

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Question: “Recently I had a person, who is apparently very into New Age stuff, pronounce a ‘blessing’ over me and my husband. Is this something I should be worried about, considering the spiritual beliefs of this person?” (S. in Virginia) Continue reading →

Group Snapshot: Seventh-Day Adventists

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In the early 19th century a Baptist layman and amateur Bible scholar by the name of William Miller conducted research into what the Bible had to say about the timing of Christ’s Second Coming. According to Miller, he conclusively calculated the date of the Lord’s advent. Miller attracted quite a following from a number of different Christian groups. After setting a couple of dates which proved false, he finally settled on October 22, 1844 as the date of the Lord’s return. But that day came and went. So traumatic was this to the “Millerites” that this time came to be called the Great Disappointment. Continue reading →