Witchcraft , livre ebook

© 1996 by Craig S. Hawkins

Published by Baker Books a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2013

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-3670-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Unless otherwise marked, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, © the Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
To Dr. Walter Martin,

Your legacy lives on in the lives of those you, like our L ORD , invested in for the future—eternity. Soli Deo gloria!
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Foreword by J. P. Moreland
Acknowledgments
Introduction

Part One: The Contemporary World of Witchcraft
1 The Contemporary Craft: A Relativistic Religion
2 Convictions of the Contemporary Craft: How Witches View Deities, Death, and Life
3 Setting the Stage: The Theoretical Framework for the Practices of Witchcraft
4 How Does the Witches’ World Work? The Structure and Practices of Witchcraft

Part Two: The Biblical View of Contemporary Witchcraft
5 The Word of God: What the Bible Says about Witchcraft
6 True Teachings? A Biblical Critique of Witches’ Views

Part Three: Philosophical Critiques of Witchcraft
7 The Question of Truth: An Epistemological Critique of Witchcraft
8 The Problem of Evil: An Ethical Evaluation of Witchcraft
9 Conclusion

Notes
Glossary
Selected Bibliography
Index of Persons
Subject Index
Scripture Index
About the Author
Back Cover
F or some time now, Craig Hawkins has earned a reputation of being a fair-minded, clear-thinking, solidly evangelical apologist who knows how to take the fruit of his research and make it available to a wide audience.
Witchcraft: Exploring the World of Wicca is an excellent illustration that this reputation is well deserved. Occult phenomena in general, and witchcraft in particular, are on the rise in our culture as a wave of neopaganism crashes on the shores of contemporary Western thought and life. What is needed from Christians is an accurate description of these phenomena coupled with a thoughtful critique. Hawkins’s book meets this need.
The real strength of Witchcraft lies in three features of the book that make it unique: First, the book stands out in the careful, thoughtful way that Hawkins presents the contemporary versions of witchcraft. He is careful not to caricature the craft or principles that constitute its variegated texture. Second, it is refreshing to see both biblical studies and philosophical argument brought to bear on the task of assessing witchcraft. This sets a good example for cult and occult apologetics in general. Third, the book is accessible in its style and pregnant with content. I, for one, am glad to have this book available. It is a timely, well-researched contribution to the ongoing struggle about religious ideas currently being waged in our society.

J. P. Moreland
Professor of Philosophy
Talbot School of Theology
Biola University
T here are many individuals who deserve recognition for their support and contribution to the writing of this book. However, I can mention only a few. In no particular order, other than the first, the following deserve mention for their contributions.
First, I wish to thank the Lord for the privilege of writing this book.
Second, my family deserves credit for their love and support for me while writing this work.
Third, I would like to greatly thank my prayer supporters. I am especially grateful to Leona Ross and Elaine Stankis, who spiritually (and otherwise) well understand what’s entailed in a project of this nature.
Fourth, I would like to thank my pastor, colleague, and friend, Charles Pearson, for among other things weekly times of dialogue, encouragement, fellowship, prayer, and spiritual counsel.
Fifth, I am very appreciative of Dr. J. P. Moreland for writing the forward, and even more so for his example of excellence in scholarship and commitment to the truth. I have great respect for Dr. Moreland, his work, and his influence upon our generation.
Sixth, I would like to thank all the individuals at Baker Book House who made this book possible. In particular, the following merit special recognition and a heartfelt thank-you. Kin Millen deserves special recognition for his encouragement and for getting the book into print, as does Dan Van’t Kerkhoff for his editorial counsel and skills. A special thank-you to Lois Stück for her work in editing the manuscript. Also, a special thank-you to Brian Phipps for his diligent work on a difficult project, fine editing skills, enthusiasm for the book, grasp of the subject, and vision for what is being attempted in the pages of this work.
Seventh, as already mentioned, numerous others have contributed in significant ways to seeing this work become a reality. Thank you. Of course, I alone assume responsibility for the contents of this work.
Witchcraft?
A storm is intensifying on the religious horizon as the winds of occultism blow increasingly stronger across the land. In the last three decades America and much of Western Europe have seen a resurgence of the kingdom of the occult, including witchcraft and other forms of neopaganism. Paganism is attempting a resurrection from the dead. It is a revival of the old gods and goddesses of pre-Christian paleopagan polytheistic nature religions, mythologies, and mystery cults, such as Celtic, Norse, Greek, Egyptian, Roman, and other traditions of the Western world. In addition, Sumerian mythologies, existing tribal religions (e.g., Native American religions and shamanism), new ones inspired by science fiction and fantasy works, and combinations of diverse occultic traditions and sources join the list as well. Astaroth, Diana, Hecate, Cernunnos, Osiris, Pan, and others are being invoked anew, fueling an intoxicating discovery and journey into a universe inhabited with gods and goddesses.
Many of these individuals and groups proudly proclaim themselves as pagans or neopagans, although their practices and beliefs diverge distinctly at points. Some claim to belong to ancient pre-Christian religions, which have supposedly survived until today, or to be simply returning to, revitalizing, or reconstructing various nature and Paleolithic polytheistic pagan and/or matriarchal religions (e.g., the worship of the Mother Goddess that supposedly predated Christianity). For this reason, many neopagans identify with the religious and social per spectives of some ancient civilizations. Among them can be found a diverse group of people who style themselves as witches or wiccans: followers of the “Old Religion,” the craft of the great Mother Goddess and her male consort, the Horned God.
Pagan PR: The Pagan Next Door
Some of today’s witches want to remove their traditional cloaks of secrecy, dispel the confusion that often surrounds their religion, and address the hostility and suspicion they perceive as directed toward themselves and their religion. They desire that their views and practices be considered as an alternative religion—a sensible worldview. At the very least, they seek the right to follow their chosen path without being hindered, harmed, or harassed—to live and let others live in accord with their conscience.
Indeed, increasingly, witchcraft is coming “out of the broom closet.” It desires to turn in the black cape of disdain and clothe itself in the robes of religious respectability. Some witches are actively seeking understanding and acceptance, cultivating an image as “the pagan next door.” After all, they claim to embrace a life-affirming, family religion. From media materials and packets prepared for the press and the public to books for children, such as The Witch Next Door or The Witch Family (which portrays witchcraft in a positive family setting), the campaign is under way. [1] The cover of one book on witchcraft has an attractive female witch dressed in a fashionable, well-tailored business suit—as if she were walking down Madison Avenue. [2] This is far removed from the stereotypical images of witches as ugly old hags with warts on their noses, decked out in black capes and cone-shaped hats, riding their favorite broomsticks on a moonlit night.
What is witchcraft? What do witches believe and do? Why are increasingly greater numbers of people being attracted to it? Is it a viable worldview? How does it compare with Christianity? What does the Bible teach about witchcraft? These and related questions are the topic of this book.
Methodology
Before beginning our study on witchcraft, it is vital that we discuss methodology. It is critical that we do not project our own belief system (in my case historic orthodox Christianity) upon others or superimpose our views upon theirs and thereby confuse the two. That is, we want to be careful not to confuse what we think they believe and do, in light of our own cultural concerns, beliefs, and background, with what they actually believe and practice.
I am not saying that we do not have the right, indeed duty, to critique witchcraft in light of Christianity. However, we need to first rightly understand what witches do and do not believe and practice. Too often when examining and critiquing non-Christian bel