Former professional astrologer Marcia Montenegro wrote an excellent pamphlet several years ago for the well respected Rose Publishing group. Marcia also recently gave a radio interview discussing the information in this pamphlet which can be listened to here.
This pamphlet is an excellent resource for any Christian to have, given that even many professing Christians today engage in some of the activities listed in the pamphlet. From the Rose Publishing website:
What does the Bible teach about various forms of the occult like magic and spells? The bestselling 10 Q & A on Magic, Spells & Divination pamphlet explains the attraction of the occult in today's society and addresses 10 popular questions with the truth of God's Word. Full color and glossy, the 14-panel resource covers a breadth of topics such as white magick, casting spells, witches, psychics, and much more. 10 Q & A on Magic, Spells & Divination pamphlet is an excellent teaching tool for youth and adult Bible study groups seeking biblical answers about the occult.
The 10 Q & A on Magic, Spells & Divination pamphlet explains the contemporary rise of occult elements in the media and in games, and the lure of the occult. Written by a former astrologer who is now a Christian, the pamphlet answers these questions:
■ Is white magick OK since it is using powers for good?
■ Does casting spells really work?
■ Are witches also Satanists? What's the difference?
■ Does astrology work?
■ Is it OK to read your horoscope just for fun?
■ What's the difference between a psychic and a biblical prophet, since both foretell the future?
■ Is it OK to contact the dead?
■ Are there such things as ghosts and haunted houses?
■ What about the Ouija boards®--isn't it just a game?
■ Can we use crystals as a source of spiritual power?
10 Q & A on Magic, Spells & Divination provides answers to 10 of the most important questions regarding the occult. Here are a few interesting facts revealed in the pamphlet:
■ Witchcraft and Wicca are modern religions and are a subset of Neopaganism
■ A growing number of Goths follow Wicca and call themselves "Goth –Wiccans"
■ Astrologers are often guided by spirit beings like demons who give them information
■ God forbids any effort to communicate with the dead or other spirits
■ Ouija® board was designed as a tool to contact the dead
This 10 Q & A on Magic, Spells & Divination includes a "Glossary of Definitions." The glossary explains the following terms and many others—
■ Ankh: From Egyptian paganism, a cross topped by a loop. Used in occultism to signify immortality or eternal life; also represents the union of male and female.
■ Pantheism: The belief that God and creation are essentially one, and that the universe and its inhabitants share in God's divine nature.
The resource also offers a listing of additional resources for learning more about magic, the occult, Wicca, and New Age beliefs, as well as "You Should Also Know" sections with additional insights and information that improve understanding and equip people for outreach.
"Talking Tips" provides some do's and don'ts for witnessing to people involved in the occult:
■ Do remember that people in the occult have a different worldview and may have had negative experiences with churches or Christians.
■ Don't be fearful. God "has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7 NASB).
■ Do keep the main focus on what the person believes about God and Jesus.
