tcrufus
Dec 14, 2006
What do you guys think about Christians who are magicians?
What do you guys think about Christians who are magicians?
As i look at the greek words which in the kjv are translated sorceries and sorcerer. I find 2 original greek words.
1.
mageuvw Mageuo (mag-yoo'-o);
Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong #: 3096
to be a magician, to practise magical arts
and 2.
farmakeiva Pharmakeia (far-mak-i'-ah);
Word Origin: Greek, Noun Feminine, Strong #: 5331
a. the use or the administering of drugs
poisoning
b. sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
c. metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
The first greek word is obviously where we get the english word magic, and the second word is where we get the word pharmacy.
The first greek word seems to allude to witchcraft and interaction with demon spirits to do the supernatural. Like a wicka or a witch or something. This is definitely an abomination.
The second greek word obviously pertains to drug use. A drug that changes reality to your mind and opens you up to a spiritual world. this are mind altering drugs like marijuana, meth, and heroin. Natural or not, they are not made to be taken as a drug. Pain killers and medicines which are not a mind altering drug i don't believe to be evil. Luke was a doctor. As far as drugs like laughing gas that has a direct use but also changes you mind, I don't have all these answers. There is definitely balance in this area. Much has to do with the conscience of what is right and wrong.
To conclude, I don't see anything wrong with a man dressing up in a funny purple outfit with a cape and appearing to saw a woman in half by an optical illusion. If it is in any way used to do evil, of course its wrong. But pulling a quarter from behind a childs ear is no more ungodly to me than pulling a rabbit out of a hat or guessing a playing card that somebody chose. These have nothing to do with demonic spirits.
I would just give great caution to know the line of what is a trick and what is not natural. Also, don't ever play with hypnosis(which is real), astrology, tarot cards, palm reading, fortune telling, or any of this garbage. I wouldn't touch horoscopes at all either. These are all spelled out to be wrong in scripture. Especially in deuteronomy.
tricks and fun for entertainment and to get on the level with kids sounds innocent enough! but i agree with the earlier caution....plus you might consider what this might be saying to a youngster and could this innocent magic (tricks of course) be something that would entice him into further (very real and dangerous) magic...that would be my only concern. i'd personally steer clear of it. but that's just my opinion.
(on another note)It's very intresting to me that in the book "The wilkerson legacy" David Wilkersons sister Ruth says that when David was a teenager, just starting youth ministry that he put on magic tricks and did a ventriloquist act for kids!
that's hard for me to picture from him...but it's intresting to hear.
he's come along way since those days.
I think if you are going to let children watch magic tricks being performed, you should explain to them that it isn't done by "magical" forces, but that the man performing is very clever & quick with his hands, uses special equipment or something like that. That way they still get to enjoy it, but recognize that it is a physical skill (like trapeze artists or acrobats at the circus) not a mystical skill. But caution is always needed and the way some magic shows are presented may be unhelpful for children.
Love in Christ,
Ruth
well put...keep Jesus first.
I think there is a huge difference between slight of hand and magic. The magicians in Pharoah's court were actually turning their staffs into snakes, and it was done by satanic powers. In the NT the Disciples were running into people who practiced divination and such things by satanic powers.
Illusions are not "magic". Slight of hand is not magic. Pulling a quarter out from behing someones ear, or making flowers appear, or doing card tricks are illusions... not magic. There are physical explanations for what they are doing. There is nothing spiritual or satanic about it.
If thats what someone is doing, leave them alone... there is nothing wrong with it.
This is another example of Christians making too much of nothing and ignoring the important stuff. It also shows how most do not bother to take the time to study and find out what exactly the Bible is talking about.
Krispy
We have a brother in our church who performs a magic act. He uses it as a childrens ministry. After he has performed his tricks he shares the gospel with his audience. He explains that everything they just saw was a trick. A deception to the eyes. He then goes on to speak about what is true.
I found his presentation to be very entertaining and in the end, rather effective for children.
In His Love
Doug
When I was in college I did "gospel illusions" and from time to time I still do them for the children. I always point out that these are tricks and there is no "magic" involved. I also will not do an illusion unless I can tie the gospel message to it in some way. The gospel message is the important part of the "show". Nothing can nor should overshadow the gospel. In all that we do it must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus CHrist.
I have seen things done in a not so tasteful way and that puts a bad light on the name of Christ. Thanks for letting me share.
In His service,
Preacheraflame
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