Question: We have a friend who has become heavily involved in astrology. Is this okay? What does the Bible say? Is it something to worry about? Continue reading
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Tag Archives: Magic
By the Pricking of My Thumbs
I remember counseling a woman who was suffering from a great deal of fear in her life. Over the course of several weeks, I discovered that this woman had had several experiences with occult undertones. I felt that an intensive exploration of occult influences in her life was necessary. We sat down one evening and spent about two hours diagnosing her exposure to the occult. Although she was raised in church, and had a rather ordinary life, we found that she had experienced about 25 different instances of involvement in things of a demonic nature. This included everything from yoga and seeing ghosts to ouija boards and seances. No wonder there was a spirit of fear in her life! Continue reading
Group Snapshot: Theosophy
You would think that any group whose name means “divine wisdom” would be a pretty good thing. Unfortunately, this is not so. Instead, the Theosophical Society is a hodge-podge of Eastern mysticism, occult philosophy, evolutionary theory, and spiritualistic practice. And it is not something good for the Christian, or anyone else for that matter.
Theosophy, as it is often called, is the brainchild of a rather deceived mind, that of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, or H.P.B. as she was known to her admirers. Blavatsky began her spiritual journey in one of the most popular spiritual movements of the 19th century—Spiritualism. She demonstrated quite a knack for spiritual communication and psychic phenomena. She supposedly was quite adept at being a medium, and was the channel for a number of spirits “on the higher plane.” She also traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia, visiting many holy sites from various religions, and allegedly communing with the great spiritual leaders of the age. Continue reading
Snapshot: Rosicrucianism
In the early 1600’s a mysterious document turned up in Europe which caused quite a stir. It was called the Fama Fraternitas. It purported to tell of a mystical sage named Christian Rosenkreutz. This man had traveled throughout much of the known world to discover true knowledge. He founded a mystical, secret society called the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross. This book was quite popular among a variety of intellectuals, from theologians and preachers, to scientists and philosophers.
An entire movement sprang up based on this book, and several other Rosicrucian works which followed it. Rosicrucianism was mixture of Christian mysticism, Jewish Kabbalah, occultic systems such as Alchemy and Hermeticism, and a little Eastern philosophy. The movement was very popular among some Protestants, likely because Rosenkreutz was unabashedly anti-Catholic. It was a strong influence in the development of western occult tradition. It also was very influential in the formation of speculative Freemasonry. The impact of Rosicrucianism is still felt today in modern occult groups, Freemasonry, and a number of cults.
During the 19th and 20th centuries a number of groups arose which claimed to be true lineal descendents of Rosicrucian tradition. Probably the most popular is the AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis), founded by H. Spencer Lewis. This secret society can be joined via the mail or online. The second is the Rosicrucian Fellowship founded by Max Heindel. There are a number of smaller similar organizations. There are also a number of Rosicrucian degrees in the higher rites of Freemasonry.
Summary of Beliefs
God: Basically a pantheistic concept of and impersonal God.
Jesus: Jesus was a manifestation of the Christ-spirit, the Christ-consciousness. What Jesus
achieved, we can all achieve. Jesus is no different than other great spiritual leaders, such as the Buddha.
Salvation: Salvation consists of humans evolving into divine beings. This is achieved
through occult initiation and practice, virtuous living, and reincarnation and the laws of
karma. This evolutionary process is symbolized by the rosy cross.
Human nature: Man is in ignorance and needs to be enlightened as to his true nature and destiny.
Sin: No biblical concept of sin. Man’s problem is lack of knowledge and enlightenment.
Afterlife: Reincarnation is a common teaching. Ultimate salvation is achieved through
becoming a divine being, entering a nirvana-like state.
Authority: All sacred texts, Rosicrucian writings, the Bible, Eastern scriptures, Hermetic literature, occult texts.
Group Snapshot: Church of Satan
Anton Szandor LaVey had to be one of the most interesting characters of the 20th century. A former circus performer, organist and showman, he was the perfect person to promote a dramatic and eccentric form of occultism. On Walpurgis Night, 1966, he formally announced the formation of the Church of Satan. The magical practices and rituals of this body were based on the traditions of Western occult belief. Such influences as the Golden Dawn, O.T.O. and Aleister Crowley are evident in LaVey’s form of occult practice.
However, there was somewhat of a twist here. While calling himself a Satanist, LaVey did not believe in a personal devil. Rather, he believed that Satan was the name of a spiritual force evident in nature and accessible to humans. The Church of Satan stood for everything that was the opposite of Christianity and traditional morality. Greed, anger, lust, selfishness, vengeance, sloth, sexual promiscuity, pride—all these are things to strive to enjoy. The two key concepts of LaVey’s brand of occult practice are materialism and hedonism. While practicing magic and sorcery, LaVey did not basically view these as supernatural practices, but as channeling the natural powers of the universe, and the power inherent in human beings.
The Church of Satan experienced several splits, the most successful splinter group being the Temple of Set. After a number of years of public worship and open events, the Church basically closed its doors as a public institution and went underground. LaVey died in 1997. However, his beliefs are still influential today, especially through his two primary works, The Satanic Bible and The Satanic Rituals.
Summary of Beliefs
God: God is a weak, ineffective being. Satan is a deity to be worshipped and admired.
Jesus: Mostly disregarded. He is an example of all that is despised in humanity.
Salvation: The goal of life is to please and serve yourself.
Human nature: Man is selfish and self-centered. We should learn to accept this and enjoy it.
Sin: What the Bible calls sins are actually behaviors we should practice and enjoy.
Afterlife: There may be an afterlife, or not.
Scripture: The Satanic Bible. The Satanic Rituals.
Truth: Relative to the individual person.
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