Dublin, Ireland: O'Connell Bridge (photo from trekearth.com)
I decided I would write this article after viewing occult related, Facebook applications.
Firstly, within this article, I am not opposing a person’s right to have a Facebook application, which deals with the occult. Secondly, I am not discussing the use of the occult in fictional context, such as with Marvel or DC comics, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Wizard of Oz, etc. Please pardon my use of words, but I am not on a witch-hunt here. I think that some Christians spend too much time criticizing the use of the occult in fictional works! I am not after those of you who read Harry Potter. Thirdly, I am not an expert in the occult, but I have written on the problem of evil with MPhil and PhD dissertations, and I view the occult as a form of evil that is not compatible with Biblical Christianity. Fourthly, this is not a personal attack against anyone who has an occult based application, or is involved in the occult, but merely a short, non-exhaustive explanation and comparison of world-views. My blogs are not about personal attacks, but are about friendly discussion of world-views. I am, however, using materials written by scholars with some level of expertise.
Definitions (In my own words):
S.A. Nigosian describes occultism as the art of manipulating or counteracting against evil forces or powers. Nigosian (1994: 486). R.M. Enroth explains that the term refers to the ‘hidden’ or ‘secret’ wisdom and knowledge which is beyond normal human understanding, and is mysterious or concealed phenomena. Enroth (1996: 787). Lewis M. Hopfe writes that an aspect of the occult, divination, is the prediction of the future. Hopfe (1991: 29-30) Divination also includes interpreting dreams, discovering the past, and obtaining needed information. Nigosian (1994: 484). The occult can also include fortune telling, spiritism, and magic.
Enroth reasons that the occult has three distinct characteristics.
1. The disclosure and communication of information empirically (through the five senses) unavailable to human beings.
2. For persons to come into contact with supernatural powers, energies, and forces.
3. The acquisition and mastery of power in order to manipulate and influence people and events. Enroth (1996: 787).
Enroth notes that the occult rejects the personal God of the Bible, and promotes the deity of human beings. Enroth (1996: 788). He explains that within the occult, the real human self is considered synonymous with God. This ties into the serpents lie to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:4. Enroth (1996: 788). Pantheism is held to within the occult as in God is everything and monism is expressed, as there is only one reality in existence. It can be stated that the God of the Bible is not pantheistic as the creator is totally independent in nature from his creation. Erickson (1994: 303). God existed before the creation of matter as a purely spiritual being, and was not dependent on matter or anything other than himself for existence. God is not equal to his creation or matter, he is beyond it. God is also not to be considered in a panentheistic context as although the creator does sustain all of his creation through his power he is not the vital force within all he creates. Erickson (1994: 307). God in pantheism may be considered to be equal with a tree. God in panentheism may be considered beyond the tree, but the vital force within it, whereas in my view a traditional Christian understanding would be that God is beyond a tree and sustains it, but is not the vital force within it. If God is the vital force within a tree, it could be argued that the tree’s essence is infinite and eternal and I think that this would be in error. In contrast, I think that God sustains and energizes all of his creation while allowing it existence separate from his own. The tree remains finite although it is sustained by God. When the tree dies so does its essence.
Enroth deduces that within the occult there is no distinction between supernatural and natural, good and evil, God and Satan. Enroth (1996: 788). The occult presents a life purpose of awareness of the divine within. Enroth (1996: 788). It assumes that human beings are basically good, that evil is an illusion, and that ignorance and not sin is the root of human problems. An enlightened person will eventually transcend moral distinctions. Enroth (1996: 788). Within the occult is the idea that self-realization can lead to power and human beings can become the masters of their own reality. Enroth (1996: 788). I do not doubt that some within the occult believe that they are basically good people and usually attempt to do good things, in contrast to evil. I would think that many in the occult do accept a moral distinction between good and evil, but the understanding would have differences from a Biblical world-view. Biblically, God as creator is beyond human beings that are finite creatures that cannot obtain the status of deity (Isaiah 43:10-11, Isaiah 44: 6-7, Isaiah 45: 5). Additionally, the book of Romans makes it clear that human beings are sinful and corrupt and in need of salvation (Romans 3, Romans 6:23). The finite and sinful nature of human beings means they are corrupted creations. They are not deity, and hardly masters of their own reality. Rather human beings are limited, corrupt creatures in a reality ruled by an almighty God, where Satanic forces also exist. Biblically speaking, only the atoning and resurrection work of Christ applied to a believing person can bring salvation.
Enroth reasons that the occult has an ultimate objective to validate the lie of the serpent in Genesis, the lie being that human beings can become like God. Enroth (1996: 788). Occult practice can appear to be validated through supernatural, paranormal experiences. Enroth (1996: 788). Enroth is indicating that in actuality, supernatural Satanic power can counterfeit the supernatural power of God, in order that participants in the occult actually do work within a system, which does at times have power. The occult is not necessarily always fraudulent or just made up of those who use psychological manipulation.
ENROTH, R.M. (1996) ‘The Occult’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
HOPFE, LEWIS M. (1991) Religions of the World, New York, Macmillan Publishing Company.
NIGOSIAN S.A. World Faiths, New York, St. Martin’s Press.
