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| Occult Phrases, Practices Permeate Culture, Expert Says |
| Release Date: 05/13/2004 |
 LOUISVILLE — Christians may be giving a nod to occult practices every day without even realizing it, says a leading expert on the occult.
Phrases such as “I’m getting a vibe,” or “it’s in the stars” roll off the tongue as easily as the Lord’s Prayer for some, and many Christians peruse the horoscopes featured in many newspapers and magazines.
Occult activity is all around, says Dr. Bill Gordon, an interfaith evangelism associate with the North American Mission Board, and Christians often unconsciously – and sometimes consciously—use language or practices associated with it.
Speaking at a recent workshop on the occult held recently at the Kentucky Baptist Convention building in Louisville, Gordon said the occult is not an organized religion but simply an area of interest in the secret, hidden or supernatural. The word “occult” means mysterious, concealed or hidden.
Occult practices may range from the extreme, such as spiritualism (calling the dead through séances, mediums, trance channeling or Ouija boards) to pop culture practices such as divination (fortune telling, psychics, palm reading, tarot cards).
While divination and astrology often seem hokey to the average person, Gordon said any belief that creation, and not the creator, controls human life is rebuked throughout scripture. Astrology, for example, is rooted in the belief that the sun, moon and other planets have a decisive influence on human life and destiny. Gordon said that often people who participate in the occult are seeking great power, which they believe they can find by seeking out hidden and supernatural things.
One of the more popular forms of occult practice is Wicca, or modern witchcraft. Wicca shares many similarities with the New Age movement; both deny the reality of sin and view evil as simply being unenlightened. Adherents also believe in reincarnation and karma and that each person is divine.
Those involved in Wicca are involved in “magick” (spelled with a “k” so as to distinguish itself from “magic” or slight-of-hand illusions) conjuring up spells for use or for sale.
Jeff Eaton, pastor of Hope Community Church in Lawrenceburg, encounters Wiccans on a regular basis, and has actually seen some become Christians.
“We didn’t go looking for this ministry,” explained Eaton, who gave helpful insights at the conference into sharing the Christian faith with these individuals. He explained that those in the occult are drawn to the supernatural.
“They think they have more power than you,” Eaton said, “[but] you have to trust that the Holy Spirit will show them more power than what they are already experiencing.”
Gordon offered the following suggestions for sharing their faith with Wiccans: 1) don’t misrepresent Wiccan beliefs, 2) realize the spiritual warfare involved, 3) use the Bible, 4) share your testimony, 5) explain the meaning of the gospel, 6) show how Jesus overcomes everything, 7) share the simple gospel.
“The Holy Spirit is working on them even when you’re not,” added Eaton. Eaton says that Wiccans know if you love them, or if you are condemning them.
He said the best thing to do is to follow the second greatest commandment, “love your neighbor as yourself,” and to be confident in your faith in Christ. Eaton advises that confidence is helpful, and to not be afraid.
Eaton said those in the occult are seeking power in order to control. Christians should share about the uniqueness of Christ and his power, and stress Christ’s authority over all spiritual forces, since those in occult activity are most interested in control of spirit forces. Christians should also pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead them through encounters with occult practitioners.
Gordon also pointed out that it is important when witnessing to someone involved in the occult to determine his or her level of involvement. Are they dabbling or are they into upper level activity? Ask them why they believe what they believe. Determine their spiritual needs.
Finally, Christians should remember that those drawn to occult practices are interested in all things spiritual or supernatural.
God falls into this category whether they realize it or not; the Holy Spirit is a spirit that is set apart, explained Eaton, but He is still a spirit.
The North American Mission Board, in conjunction with the Kentucky Baptist Convention, offers seminars on understanding other belief systems in the spring and fall of each year. For more information on these seminars, contact the Church Development/Evangelism Team toll free in Kentucky at (866) 489-3571 or (502) 489-3571.
Release prepared by Kasie Secrest, KBC communications assistant |
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