I was wondering, as i encounter some christian that says that Magic is deceiving and one that is in the religion Christian shouldn't delve into Magic.

Well, there's gospel magic. Magic that performed to accompany the teachings in the Bible, one performer of such genre would be Lawrence Khong.

Andre Kole wouldn't agree. Here's an article.

hi, i can not agree with what is saying. <_<
look at my signature, you will know what i am talking about. :P

all friends of Jesus had their jobs, i will call myself as a "Gospel Entertainer" B)


so my friend please do not see "act of magic" only bring deceiving, but lot of joy, by the way had you heard about "Project Smile" of David? :P

M.A.D. B)

I am not saying that Magic is deceiving, if you don't mind, do look again at my post.

I was saying "I was wondering, as i encounter some christian that says that Magic is deceiving and one that is in the religion Christian shouldn't delve into Magic."

Those people said that, not me. I was just wondering if there are any Christian Magicians in SG and do they get this kind of remark from Church friends or so on.

No Offense.

*Peace* :wub:

Winder i did not means you saying that Magic is deceiving, i was said i those people saying. sorry. B)

Yes, once i got it from a church, their sunday school wanted a Gospel Illusion show, but their church management reject it and did put in this kind of remark. B)

sad, right?? B)

M.A.D. B)

Just to share my opinion,

I am a Catholic, but while I know that there are references in the bible against "magic", the "magic" it refers to is the occult, where there are other "gods", and hence, directly violating the 1st Commandment. But modern magic, as we know it, deals not with the occult, but as a form of entertainment which graciously fools the mind.

Regarding the point on deception, I do not think there is a moral issue with it. In fact, I think that in magic, as in all other art forms, lying and deception is allowed as it is integral to the performance of it. Afterall, would the same charges be made against an actor who says something according to the script but is actually not true for him? Similarly, a magician is an actor playing the role of a magician (to quote Robert Houdin), and thus is equally entitled to the use of deception.

By allowing themselves to watch the magic performance, the audience has, themselves, made a non-verbal contract to be entertained (which includes the vital component of deception).

Having said that, I do understand that almost naturally, the religious will approach magic cautiously and suspiciously. But, imo (and no offense to those who think otherwise), the theologically-secure Christian should be perfectly comfortable with accepting magic as he/she accepts any other forms of performance art and entertainment.

I think Magic in this case actually refers to Magick :)

That's the 'dark arts' and otherwise known as witchcraft ^_^ But then there are some churches that have certain teachings (like how tellytubbies/ harry potter is evil) and I personally have Christian friends who are uncomfortable with how FCBC's Pastor Lawrence Khong spreads the word, using magic.

It's a strange world we have out there isn't it :P But everything's all a matter of perspective!

My 2 cents...
ning ^_^

Deceiving? Christians not delving into magic?

This are the kind of questions that flooded me when I was starting out too.

But then again, where in the Bible condemns sleight of hand and illusions? Xtians who make these passing comments really do not have a clue what their own religion is all about.

Indeed the Bible condemns "witchcraft" and "sorcery". "Witchcraft" is an obvious duh. "Sorcery" in the original greek is the word where we get the English word "Pharmacy", so the meaning of sorcery here in the Bible means the abuse of drugs and stimulants.

As for usage of illusions to spread the gospel, I feel that it is completely fine to do so. Refer to 1 Corinthians 9:22. If "by all means" means doing an illusion, I would definately do it.

Talk Bible. Get real.

Think at the end of the magic show, people understand the message behind the illusion, not keep just thinking "Eh!? how did he do that?", it would be ok.

If our illusions takes the glory away or distract the people from God, then better think thrice before doing it.

I know a pastor, who was once a medium, do magic to illustrate how some mediums can have "supernatural powers", and went on to discuss about the existence of black magic (not everyone believes in supernatural powers). The delivery is appropriate.

Hi Winder,

Steve Varro has some excellent booklets that deal with the topic of using magic illusions in gospel presentations. You might want to check it out. It would provide a good defence to the use of magic illusions.

The article on the use of magic illusions

Also, you might want to explain to the person who questions the use of sleight of hands that not everything that deceives is bad. For example, a football player who deceives the opponent by feinting is using deception for a valid purpose. Similarly, a mouse trap works on the principle of deception, but it does not mean that the person who uses a mouse trap is wrong. In the same way, it is not wrong to use sleight of hand to illustrate principles.