Oct
29
No Such Thing As a ‘Christian Witch’ (or a ‘Pagan Christian’)
A few years ago, a young woman applied for membership to a Christian Facebook group I run. There were many reasons that I declined her application, but one of them was that she considered herself a “Christian Witch”. (Sounds like an oxymoron to me!)
At another time, I read a thread in the “Christian Metal” group (which accepts non-Christian members) in which a few people were defending their listening to outright “Satanic” music. At least one called himself a “pagan Christian” and proceeded to make comments that revealed his understanding of what it meant to follow Jesus Christ was rather unbiblical on certain issues. (Unfortunately, I lost my link to the thread, else I would give an example.)
I mention these two incidents because they were my primary inspirations to write this post.
From what I gather, the “Christian Witch” thing is a movement of some sort, which (no pun intended) seeks to entice Christians (primarily women) — or, at least, those claiming to be “Christian” — into a syncretistic religion that combines aspects of “Christianity” while asserting that certain pagan practices are acceptable. Since many Christians, especially newer converts, are largely biblically illiterate, they can often be easily duped into believing this. (Btw, I have also seen the terms “Trinitarian Wiccans” and “Christo-Pagans”.)
But, while not going into great detail, the Bible does make it clear that not only is syncretism unacceptable but any type of witchcraft or other pagan practice is forbidden by God. The following list is not complete, and I encourage you to read the passages in context, but it should be sufficient to show what God has always thought about such things and where they lead in the end:
“Do not turn to mediums or consult spiritists, or you will be defiled by them; I am the Lord your God.” (Lev. 19:31 (CSB))
“A man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritist must be put to death. They are to be stoned; their death is their own fault.” (Lev. 20:27 (CSB))
“10 No one among you is to sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire, practice divination, tell fortunes, interpret omens, practice sorcery, 11 cast spells, consult a medium or a spiritist, or inquire of the dead. 12 Everyone who does these acts is detestable to the Lord, and the Lord your God is driving out the nations before you because of these detestable acts. 13 You must be blameless before the Lord your God. 14 Though these nations you are about to drive out listen to fortune-tellers and diviners, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do this.” (Deut. 18:10-14 (CSB))
“He passed his sons through the fire in Ben Hinnom Valley. He practiced witchcraft, divination, and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did a huge amount of evil in the Lord’s sight, angering him.” (2 Chron. 33:6 (CSB))
“Say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: Woe to the women who sew magic bands on the wrist of every hand and who make veils for the heads of people of every size in order to ensnare lives. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own?” (Ezekiel 13:18 (CSB))
“17 When this became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high esteem. 18 And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed.” (Acts 19:17-20 (CSB))
“19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things — as I warned you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21 (CSB), emphasis mine)
“But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars — their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8 (CSB))
Here are a few more: Lev. 20:6; 1 Sam. 15:23; 1 Chron. 10:13; Isaiah 8:19-22; Isaiah 47:8-14; Micah 5:10-12; Acts 8:9-13; Rev. 9:20-21
Now, from just my limited exposure to this stuff, I am aware of two arguments that some witches/pagans use to justify their claims. For one, they claim that the Bible only forbids the “bad magic” practiced by other nations/peoples, but that God’s people were and are allowed to practice “good magic”. This is hogwash and not substantiated in the Bible. (See the following video, which includes a witch making this argument and the narrator countering it.)
The other claim I’ve heard made is that the Bible was corrupted, but it originally supported their claims. (It’s worth asking how they know about what “lost” manuscripts really taught, for example.) Their claims call into question the formation and content of Christian scripture, along with what ancient Jews and Christians believed; they are not experts by any means and often quote from books by agnostics, pagans, and skeptics. For more reliable sources on the Bible, check out presentations by people like James R. White or (perhaps more lay-friendly) J. Warner Wallace.
My primary source for what a “Christian witch” believes and does is Rev. Valerie Love. She is a prominent and proud “Christian witch” with a large following, so I am assuming then that what she says is typical for those who identify with this movement. When explaining what a “Christian witch” is, she says that people understand that being a “Christian” means being an adherent to a particular religion, whereas being a witch (Christian or otherwise) is a spiritual path, and she makes clear to separate the two. Much could be said about this, but I find it odd that she seems in favor of the “Christian” label in this case yet she is adamantly against the Christian religion writ broad.
I’d like to link to a quick video here of Love. Listen to how she rejects most of the Bible and, along with it, doctrines of Hell, the Trinity, Jesus’s messiahship. (Beware the F-bomb!) Though details about the first one may differ, these doctrines are essentials of orthodox Christianity. Based on the miracles Jesus did, she calls Jesus a witch, and in another video she calls him a necromancer, sorcerer, and a psychic medium! (Since followers of Jesus are supposed to follow His example, this is a big part of how she justifies Christ-followers doing such things.) Another thing that she gleaned from her reading is that Yahweh is “basically the killer demi-god of the Bible”!
People attracted to this pagan/witchy stuff are often looking for wealth and “holistic healing”, much like what is sold by the more typical health-n-wealth, prosperity preachers, who are also heterodox at best and heretical at worst. The pagan-minded also look for advice about their future via tarot readings, consulting spirits, astrology, etc., just like many non-Christians. As seen above, this stuff is forbidden by God. (Rev. Love loves digging into “forbidden knowledge”.) Even setting aside the “wealth” issue (which is best left for another time), both healing and guidance in our lives are things we should request from God and only God. (I’m talking about the spiritual aspect and am not advising against modern medicine or counseling from friends or professionals. It would also be self-refuting for me to give such counsel.) Indeed, God knows what we need before we even approach Him in prayer (Matt. 6:8).
Sometimes, pagan practice involves trying to control or manipulate either God or other gods/spirits into getting what you want. This is anti-biblical, dangerous, and may even open one’s self up to demonic influence. NOT something you want to mess with!
Bottom line?
God’s Word is very clear. It doesn’t matter if the particular brand of belief is outright “Satanic” or “harmless and nature-loving” (e.g. Wicca). A true follower of Jesus Christ — as revealed in the whole of Scripture — must have nothing to do with witchcraft, sorcery, spiritism, or any other pagan spiritual beliefs and practices. To those who say, “you can be a Witch and love Christ,” I tell you you have been deceived by the forces of evil. Repent and turn to the true Jesus the Messiah!
P.S. I find it ironic that Valerie Love denies that Jesus was/is the Messiah, yet she constantly refers to Him as “Jesus Christ” or just “Christ”. If she was as knowledgeable as she claims, she would know that “Christ” (from the Greek) is the translation of “Messiah” (from the Hebrew). Or, it might be intentional — relying on her audience to be ignorant of this — and she actually means “Christ” in a New-Agey, mystical “Christ consciousness” or “higher consciousness” way.
