Chapter 2: The Beginning...

2 Timothy 3: 16-17

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

“It strikes me,” Moose says as he settles at the helm, sipping a cup of coffee, images of cats dancing around the sides of the steaming mug.  “It strike me every time that this Word reminds us that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.”  Moose wrinkles his nose and holds up a finger, stepping away from the helm.

A few moment later he comes back and clears his throat.  “Where was I?  Ah.  Yes.  Quakers in the news.  We talked a little bit about Quakers and Shakers yesterday and I made a bold statement about Quakers and witchcraft.  Today I want to begin on a topic that some find difficult.  Some find scary.  We should find it difficult.  Sort of.  We should find it scary, sort of.  One thing is for certain though, it is high time that Christians started paying attention to magic and fighting back against it.  Biblically.”

He sips.

“Just like in Quakerism, there are a lot of different factions of magic.  A lot of different ways to practice magic.  A lot of competing ideas and philosophies.  All of them are abomination to the LORD.  Quakerism without the Word?  That’s abomination too.  Just for the record.  Every Christian who reads the Word understands Jesus’ commandment to abide in His Word.  The Holy Spirit is with us and will teach us, leading us into all truth, but you have to start with a foundation of truth and build with truth testing every spirit along the way.  Paul teaches on this.  Several times.”

“This morning I want to start with prayer.  We have defined prayer as communication with God.  But let’s look at prayer a little more closely.  What is it more specifically?  Prayer is an individual, sometimes group, appealing to the authority, sovereignty, and power of God with the intent of changing reality.  In one way or another.  It requires faith, or putting your trust in God.

Now the dictionary defines magic as:

Magic: (noun)

- The us of means (such as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces, magic rites or incantations

- An extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source, something that seems to cast a spell: enchantment

- The art of producing illusions by sleight of hand

(Adjective)

- of or relating to magic

- having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers, giving a feeling of enchantment.

“It’s a start.  So let’s ask ourselves.  What is magic?  I offer for your consideration a definition.  Magic is prayer, corrupted.  Magic is an individual putting their trust in the authority of that which is not God to change reality.  At it’s heart, magic is idolatry, it is placing something else, be it a rock, a crystal, a demon, a force, some spiritual animal, something other than God in the place of God with the intent of appealing to it to change reality.”

He sips.

“Now.  That is a bit to chew on.  Let’s read through James 1 again and get ready for the morning.  Questions?”

Moose turns and gives the Art-bot some input, music picking up in the background.  “Here is some Scripture to consider as we go forward with our study today.”

Deuteronomy 18: 9-14

“When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.  There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.  For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.”