Burning Books and Witchcraft

 

    Pastor Greg Locke has decided to publicly burn books. Harry Potter and Twighlight was set afire. His burning of these books was done because he said such material was a threat to religious beliefs, and freedom, and belief system. Wicca is a pagan religion that practices witchcraft. So, it's one religion attacking another religion who both have the right to practice their faith in the United States.

    The book burning comes after a Tennessee school board moved to ban Art Spiegelman's Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel Maus, which depicts Polish Jews' experience after they survived the Holocaust. Minn County School Board also banned the book for the use of the words "God damn" and naked pictures. Such acts, censorship and burning books, does little to maintain an ideology of purity which is the real goal, to keep people or children pure in an idealistic definition made up by parents or religion. 

    There are 4,000 recognized religions in the world. Sooner or later, unless children live in a bubble, they will find out their religion is not the only religion. If they act by example, then they will set out on a crusade to persecute other religious believers because their religion is threatening their religious beliefs, rights, and freedom. Not the way to go. Instead, stop burning books and have a teaching moment with your children in your home about what they encounter in school and the world. After all, that is part of parenting and witnessing for Christianity. So, what is the real scoop on the hocus pocus threatening Christianity? There has been incorrect teaching or no teaching at all on the subject in Christianity. The reason why will become evident as you read on.

     Exodus 22:18 explains in its section of public responsibility "thou should not suffer a witch to live" The Salem Witch Trials went overboard and did not suffer any woman to live and thus we lost valuable folk cures for ailments. They completely left the biblical definition of witchcraft. People are returning to natural remedies and holistic healing practices for healing and health with success in many areas. Medicines begin from using combination of components found in nature. During the burning of the witches, those tried-and-true home cures bit the dust, or one could be seen as a witch able to cure people of sicknesses. 

                                                                

    Deuteronomy 18:10-12 under the section of detestable practices tells us "There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire (child sacrifice), or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord; and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out before thee." 

    Also, in the Bible the Levites, (those who performed subordinate services associated with public worship were known as Levites. In this capacity, the Levites were musicians, gate keepers, guardians, Temple officials, judges, and craftsmen), made use of the Urim and Thummim (two objects worn on the breastplate of a Jewish high priest) and various forms of sacrifice as instruments of divination (the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means) to determine guilt and innocence in law cases Deuteronomy 33:8-10. The silver chalice Joseph placed in his brother Benjamin's sack when he was leaving Egypt is described as being used by Joseph for divination, often taken as a reference for scrying (foretell the future using a crystal ball or other object such as a mirror) Genesis 44:2-17.  Joseph interpreted dreams that foretold the future. These people, favored by God, in essence practiced witchcraft. Why was it okay for them to do divination? Read further to find out the reason. 

     It is clear that witches were recognized as people not sanctioned by God. Whether they had real power or not did not matter. They were not the type of persons for God's people to hang around with. I always found the story of the Witch of Endor, in the Bible funny (1 Samuel 28:3-25). Saul himself had put a prohibition (actually expelled them from Israel) on going to fortune tellers, but when he needed a wise word, he went to a witch to help him to contact Samuel, a prophet, who was dead. He needed Samuel's counsel in a matter bothering him. The Philistine Army had set up against Saul and he was frightened by their number, so he consulted the Witch of Endor. When the witch was able to raise the spirit of Samuel from the dead, she seemed shocked herself. The spirit of Samuel spoke to Saul and told him "Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me" 1 Samuel 28:1ff. It is clear through the words of the Bible that there was a such thing as witches (actually a necromancer). 1 Samuel 15:23 states that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king." This was Samuel speaking to Saul before Saul banned witchcraft. 

    We often state that the Old Testament is of a time so far removed until it cannot be used in the 21st Century in the same way. Let's look at how witchcraft was viewed in the New Testament and see if it can be applied to life today. In Galatians 5:16-21. a section of the chapter begins speaking about life by the Spirit. The people are told to live by the Spirit. Then a list follows telling the reader the acts of a sinful nature which are obvious: "sexual immorality (adultery), impurity and debauchery (fornication), idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." 

      In Hebrew the word sorcerer, from the Old Testament, is Kashaph, meaning to alter or change the very essence of a plant, animal, or human. In Greek, in the New Testament, the word for witchcraft is pharmakeia to alter or change the root of something. The modern translation of witchcraft as involving assistance from Satan is inconsistent with Scripture.

 

     What does this word "witchcraft" really mean in Galatians? It is defined as pharmakeia from medication (pharmacy), which was believed to be magic or sorcery. It signified the use of medicine, drugs, spells; then poisoning, then witchcraft as in Galatians and Revelation 9:21 and 18:23. In sorcery the use of drugs whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc., profusely designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of devils. 

    But as with anything man does, witches/sorcerers started to use their knowledge to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the sorcerer (themselves). So, in essence the New Testament believed that witchcraft was used more or less for the sorcerer to be seen or held in high esteem by those seeking them out. The person using medicines began to say "I can help you with MY powers" which of course was contrary to the fact that it is to God we look to for help. So, now you have the core of the reason for witches and sorcerers to not have favor with God's people. It was not because they could cure people, see into the future, or talk to the dead, it was because of corruption of their powers. The greatest Commandment is thou shall have no other god BEFORE me. The command does not say not to have any other god. The command could have easily said have no other god but me, period, but it doesn't. The problem comes when you place someone or something above God. Shocking huh?

     Today, many people are turning to the 'religion' of Wiccan. It is one of the fastest growing religions of the 21st century. We must ask ourselves why someone would seek such a religion with a stigma? We are quick to say because they are 'evil' but many people will tell you that they are looking for a religion of peace, harmony and love. We must ask ourselves is this the face of Christianity today (peace, harmony, love)? The Scripture tells the Christian to live a life and carry themselves in such a way people will be drawn to Christ by their example. People should say "I want what they have" because you example something desirable. You are happy, loving, peaceful, positive, honorable, humble, caring, truthful, emotionally stable, helpful, and all the other characteristics that draw people towards you not away from you and this will give God the glory. 

    Demanding ignorance and burning books is not how Christianity will survive. Being dedicated to actively know and live the religion will ensure its survival for generations to come. God says his word draws people. We should live as the living word to draw people to Christ.