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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

Christian magic, Bible-based heresy, Church Fathers

College

Religious Education

Department

Ancient Scripture

Abstract

The Bible (the Old and the New Testaments) condemned magic. The Church Fathers followed the biblical example and also denounced magic. However, magic continued to exist among Christians and was even largely based upon biblical passages for its source of power; thus, magic survived partially on account of Christians and their ironic use of magic with help of the very scriptures that censured it. I will demonstrate first through specific examples that the Old and New Testaments as well as the Church Fathers reviled magic; however, the authors of each of these writings had their own agendas for speaking out against magic, not because it was inherently evil, but because it was a scapegoat they used against their enemies and rivals. Finally, I will demonstrate again through textual examples that common Christians adopted magic into their own Christian beliefs and practices because they had no theological battles to lead, but rather were searching simply for comfort and support to overcome the trials of everyday life.

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