As Christians what are we to think of the occult? What should our attitude be concerning witchcraft, magick, and sorcery? Are we to be concerned about ghosts and vampires? What about fortunetelling, seances, astrology and the like? Many people do not realize that the Bible actually has quite a bit to say about the world of the occult. Check out this review of Scriptural teaching on the world of the Occult.
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
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
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
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.
