Witchcraft - GBC Bulletin Column # 18

In the fifth chapter of Paul’s letter to Galatians, the apostle lists “works of the flesh” in contrast to the “fruit of the Spirit.” In the verse 20 he references “witchcraft” (NIV) or if we follow more literal renderings (NASB, ESV, HCSB), “sorcery.” This word is an umbrella term that refers to practices involving contact with the spirit-realm such as necromancy (communication with the dead) and divination (prophecy of demonic origin), the casting of spells by appealing to various divine names and spirit powers, and other beliefs and actions stemming from an almost covenantal relationship with other-worldly spirits.

Witchcraft is not a dead issue, manifesting itself in different forms and by different names in modern Britain – I was reminded of this last week as my father was researching the presence and practice of Witchcraft in Britain’s villages, and again on Wednesday 21 August, when I came across a recent Channel 4 documentary called “A Very British Witchcraft.”  In the present time, practices that legitimately and biblically could be called sorcery are strong components in the Pagan religions of the UK - foremost of which is Wicca, a British-based collection of groups self-admittedly devoted to witchcraft that is currently Britain’s fastest growing religious group. In the 2011 Census, 56,620 people identified themselves as 'Pagans', 11,766 as 'Wiccans', and 1,276 as 'Witchcraft'. Several English counties are known centres of witchcraft, Cornwall being chief among them. A training centre in Cumbria is dedicated to "Teaching the Esoteric and Occult Arts and Sciences for Today" and offers courses in "learning Magick, Ritual, Witchcraft Courses, Kabbalah, Tarot and Alchemy + Magickal Apprenticeships". Moving on to other groups that would practice what the Bible calls “sorcery”, 1,893 people identified themselves as 'Satanists' on the 2011 Census, although some believe the figures to be higher. There are also a number of 'Spiritualist Churches' where people can communicate with the dead through a medium and Eastern, South Asian, and African religions in which sorcery plays an important part can frequently be seen advertising their services on High Streets. Astrology is commonplace, as are palm and tarot reading, the New Age belief systems frequently involve sorcery of some kind, and there is a general fascination with the occult.

How should we as Christians respond? Persecution for belief is not the answer, although disturbance of the peace and destruction to persons or property (as may be more common within these systems) are rightfully punished by the civil authorities. The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God is the weapon we should bear, for it saves souls and transforms lives; the beatings, stonings, drownings, burnings, and hangings of past times merely served to destroy both, failing to make any headway against the enemy. The only way the darkness of spirits is overcome is by the light of the Spirit through the preaching of God's word and by the prayers of God’s people. So let us be ready in season and out of season and wage war against this present darkness and the evil age from which Christ has saved us.

This was printed in the worship bulletin of Grace Baptist Church (Wood Green) on 25/08/2013.