Doesn't the Bible forbid magic, fortune-telling and ventriloquism?
Is it right for a Christian to be involved in sleight of hand and
illusion--aren't these instruments dishonest and deceptive?
A Problem of Vocabulary
First, let's get our terms defined. When the Bible (especially
certain translations) uses the term "magic" (e.g. Exodus
22:14) or "sorcery" (Deuteronomy 18:11 et al.) or
"ventriloquism" (e.g. Isaiah 8:19), it is clearly dealing
with man's involvement in the supernatural, often with the
collaboration of evil spirits. The context of the Bible prohibitions
make it clear that God does not want man to dabble in games with the
devil. Today's manifestations of these forbidden activities are such
things as ouija boards, tarot cards, the occult and horoscopes. The
Christian has no business playing with these, since they open the door
to demonic influence.
Let it be emphasized that no true Christian magician or
ventriloquist is in any way involved in the use of supernatural
powers.
A problem rises from the fact that certain words have two meanings.
"Magic" has the meaning of witchcraft or sorcery, but the
word also means sleight of hand and illusion, the surprising and
fascinating modern entertainment medium. Obviously the Bible is
talking about the first of these meanings and not the second.
Etymologically, the word "ventriloquism" means
"belly-talking." As used in the Old Testament, the word
refers to fortune telling by means of reading the entrails of slain
animals, or demon possession, wherein an evil spirit spoke through a
human mouthpiece. Modern ventriloquists create the illusion that their
voices come from another source, using this to entertain. Spectators
unable to explain this skill misnamed the illusion "belly
talking." Again, the Biblical prohibition has reference to one
meaning of this word, but not the animation of puppets as is done in
the modern entertainment medium. The first thing we must be sure of
when dealing with Biblical prohibitions is that we understand what the
Bible is in fact saying, so that we do not misapply the truth because
of a confusion in vocabulary.
Confusion with the Supernatural
One could raise the objection that it is wrong for the Christian to
do any performance that could so easily be misinterpreted as sinful by
someone who doesn't know. Doesn't the Bible warn us to "avoid all
appearance of evil"? (I Thessalonians 5:22) Couldn't innocent
parlor magic or ventriloquism be easily confused with forbidden
activity?
In fact, a better translation of I Thessalonians 5:22 is
"avoid every form of evil" or "avoid every kind of
evil." In dealing with right and wrong, one must always be
careful of appearances, but it is not the appearance that makes
something right or wrong. The emphasis on appearance is the essence of
hypocrisy. If the issue were that Christians are to refrain from doing
anything that looks like sin or could be misinterpreted by someone who
does not know, then we would never be able to do anything with
confidence. According to this thinking, Jesus was correctly rebuked
for eating with publicans, for forgiving prostitutes and for touching
lepers. Certainly these actions confused many people, but the Son of
God knew His mission and performed His ministry in spite of possible
objections.
The Gospel magician could easily be confused with the secular
entertainer, or worse, with the occultist, just as the Christian
singer could be identified with the acid-dropping Satanist, or the
preacher could be linked with the immoral talk-show host. Or we could
insist that it is wrong for the Christian to read any magazine or
paperback book, because immoral people publish sinful books and
magazines. Do we believe that because of the sin of some broadcasters,
there is no value in the ministry of broadcasting? Part of the issue
is whether a godly performer should stop ministry he knows to be
right, just because someone else might misjudge his motives or his
methods.
Some Christians are very superstitious and assume that anything
they cannot themselves understand and explain must be supernatural.
Hence they see negative effects as being produced by demons, and every
positive event must be a miracle of God. There is, however, great room
for neutral events which can be used either for good or for evil.
Ministry by means of "Deception"?
Another objection is that it is not right for the Christian to use
trickery in presenting the truth. No matter how you slice it, magic
involves deceit (illusion). Of course some "Gospel
magicians" try to get around this objection by never actually
saying their hand is empty when it isn't, but they say, "my hand
looks empty." This skirts the issue, since the intent is for the
audience to believe that the hand was empty (or that the bunny
materialized from thin air, or that the red scarf actually turned
white, etc.) The deceit was there, regardless of whether the performer
told a lie with his words or with his actions.
Here we must deal with the nature of truth. At any given time, a
presentation of truth only represents a portion of reality. I carry a
photograph of my wife that everyone claims is a very candid likeness,
yet it deceives in certain ways. For one thing, my wife is not black
and white and gray; for another, she is more than two inches tall and
is not flat. But the image abstracted by this photograph captures her
expression and personality very honestly. It is an honest--though
partial--representation of the truth. The issue is whether the Gospel
magician conveys the impression that he is doing supernatural things,
or whether he honestly acknowledges its trickery.
After all is said and done, most people acknowledge that magical
entertainers do not actually have supernatural powers. If the total
presentation is an accurate representation of Biblical truth, the
audience will be impressed with the message, and not dazzled by the
possibility of humans doing superhuman feats.
A Biblical Basis for Gospel Magic
It is fine to say that doing Gospel magic is not wrong, but is it
right? Is there a Biblical justification for using magic to present
Scriptural or spiritual truths?
The first part of the argument comes from Jesus' own use of
parables--visual aids. Matthew 13:34 indicates that in Jesus'
teaching, He always used object lessons. Sleight of hand and illusion
provide a way of presenting some very powerful spiritual messages in a
visual way. When a dirty handkerchief--representing sin--is
transformed into an egg, it makes a very striking illustration of the
change God makes in a person's life when he trusts Christ. Magic
tricks have power to gain and maintain attention.
The second part of a Biblical basis for Gospel magic is God's own
use of the spectacular as an attention-getting device. He could have
dealt with people without using the miraculous, but with Moses He
chose to use a bush that burned without being consumed, with Balaam He
used a talking donkey; with Joshua He used a destructive trumpet blast
to bring down the walls of Jericho, and with Belshazzar He wrote on
the wall with a giant hand.
Many of the prophets used spectacular attention-getting devices,
such as shaving their head, wearing a rotten garment, making a model
of Jerusalem. And what a sight Jonah must have been, bleached from the
digestive juices of the great sea monster, as he paraded through
Nineveh proclaiming the judgment of God.
But perhaps most spectacular of all are the descriptions of the
events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. It could have
happened without a lot of fanfare, but Christs death was accompanied
by darkness and earthquake. The resurrection was accompanied by a
blast of light that left the guards stunned and dazed.
I have seen some very impressive and effective use of
"magic" to illustrate principles from the Scripture. When
sleight of hand and illusion are harnessed for the purpose of
explaining Gospel principles, it can be very powerful from a
psychological point of view.
Performance Leads to Pride
A serious objection is that when people are amazed and admire the
performer, this leads to pride on his part. This is certainly a
possibility, and the Christian performer (no matter what art form)
must guard against pride. This is true of the Christian singer, actor,
magician, ventriloquist--and even preacher! Let us condemn pride in
any form and in every presentation, but the possibility of pride
should not deter from the exercise of a skill that can point people to
God's truth and lead them to Christ.
Conclusion
To wind up this brief treatment, let me make several practical
suggestions about your own attitude towards "Gospel magic;"
- Enjoy "magic" presentations. Don't worry about being
fooled. You don't need to understand how every trick is done in
order for it to be all right.
- Pray for the Christian magician. He wants to present Gospel
truths in an effective way, without violating what is proper. It
is easy to give in to the sins of pride and presumption. He needs
your understanding and support. Praise God that He has given this
performer opportunities to present a message at places where a
preacher would never be able to speak.
- Seek God's mind. Be sympathetic and ask God to help you
understand what attitude is right to have towards forms of
ministry that you do not wholeheartedly understand or endorse.
Realize that the same skill may not be best for everyone, but God
can bless it and use it for His glory.
- If you continue to have reservations, work them out. Talk to
your local Christian magician. He will be happy to discuss them
with you!
Thanks for being open to consider some new ideas. I hope they have
helped you to gain a new perspective. Read Acts 10:9-20 and rejoice
that God opens the hearts and minds of His children who are ready to
receive His messages.
"Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks [and honor and glory] through Him to God
the Father." Colossians 3:17
© 1988 by Robert H. Hill
This article may be freely copied and distributed provided that it
is done so in its entirety and without charge. You can
correspond with the author, Robert Hill, at 100551.3573@Compuserve.com.
