In parts one and two I haven’t really sounded like a Fundamentalist, have I?  I suppose that depends on your definition of a Fundamentalist.  Well, in this post I expect to get a little more in depth regarding the use of magic.

From a Biblical perspective, witchcraft is mentioned specifically and is considered a sin (1Sa 15:23, 2Ch 33:6, Gal 5:20). Simon, in Acts 8 practiced sorcery.  How should we interpret Exodus 22:18 – “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live”?  Deuteronomy 18:10-12 lists out several forms of magic as abominations: Divination, enchanter, witch, charmer, familiar spirits, wizard, and necromancer. Clearly, God holds very strong objections to the use of these forms of magic. For the duration of the conversation I will refer to these collectively as “witchcraft”.

Some may argue that these terms refer to specific pagan practices and not to “real” magic. If that were true, what happened in 1Samuel 28:6? King Saul goes to a woman with a familiar spirit to “bring up” Samuel from the dead. By all appearances, the spirit of Samuel answers and speaks to the King. If we take the Bible literally, we must say that spirits may come back and speak with the living. We could possibly say that a demon disguised itself as Samuel, but I doubt this is the case since the hypothetical demon-in-disguise answered truthfully as Samuel would.  Also, I believe God would have revealed this to us in the passage and not presented Samuel as Samuel.  No, I must conclude that the spirit of Samuel was brought up from the dead and spoke to Saul.

What then, does magic exist in the world? I believe it does. I also believe we, as Christians, should not partake in the practice of witchcraft. Further, I also believe magic in general is off limits for Christians. (Stage magicians, however, are really only illusionists. They do not practice true magic in any form.)

Is magic off limits for a fictional story?  Is reading about magic equal to practicing? This is where our personal convictions come in.  For some, all mention of magic is off limits while others may say “anything goes”.  Here’s what I say.

We know the author sets the rules in his or her world. Whether science fiction or fantasy, elements such as hyperspace and magic are up to the author to define.  So then, how should an author treat magic?

In real life certain magical practices are abominations to God.  But what if an author defined magic differently in her world so that the use of magic is either good or evil depending on the character?  Magic could be a tool, such as my screwdriver, to be used.

Christopher Stasheff, in his Warlock series defines “Magic” as a natural ability – ESP, telekinesis, etc, and the Church, in Stasheff’s timeline, has confirmed these abilities as natural and not spiritual. As with everything else the individual is responsible for his or her own actions and use of such talent. Stasheff has successfully avoided the issue of confusing fanciful magic with witchcraft.

Lewis and Tolkien have magic more as a Spiritual Power that resides in an individual. Elves, Dwarves, and Wizards all have some connection to Magic; some for good while others for evil. This magic is not the same as witchcraft.

Call it part of the Code of Ethics I’ve mentioned previously. For the Christian, magic should be avoided, period.  For the Hero in a speculative story, however, magic may be allowed under certain circumstances.

C.S. Lewis appears to agree with this idea in the Chronicles of Narnia. There are only four characters I can recall that use magic: Aslan, the Witch, a Hag, and the magician / fallen star.

Aslan, as the Christ and Creator, has obvious dominion over everything in the World of Narnia.  Lewis uses the term “magic” or “deep magic” to refer to Aslan’s power. That power exists because of Aslan, not the other way around.  The Witch, however, has spent centuries seeking out the dark magic and the Hag offers to bring the Witch back to life. Two out of four users of magic are evil while one is actually the author of that power. The magician uses magic to rule his island at the command of Aslan.

But should the Hero use magic?

The Children and other characters do not use magic.  Susan has an apparently magic horn to call for assistance, but that was a gift from Father Christmas and not something she sought for herself. Lucy uses the magician’s book to turn the invisible visible, but again, that wasn’t for her benefit.  Even the one spell she used to listen in on her friends’ conversation turned against her, for she really used it for selfish motives.

Jill and Eustace have an interesting conversation. While trying to figure out if they can get to Narnia, Jill asks if they could light candles, draw circles, and such. Eustace says they probably could but Aslan “wouldn’t like it.” While they do ask for Aslan to let them in, they are not directing him to do so.

Frodo does not use magic.  Gandalf certainly does, but he is not the Hero. Gandalf is the Spiritual Advisor and Power for Good. Frodo uses the Ring sometimes, but it is slowly corrupting him. He does have Sting, a blade forged by Elves. The magic, if there really is any, is specifically for fighting Orcs. Tolkien’s Elves don’t USE magic as others might.  They ARE magic. Or at least, their understanding of magic is far different then ours and is interwoven with their existence. Frodo is a Hero and must follow the Heroes Code of Ethics.

.

From this I expect the Heroes Code of Ethics to then be: Magic is to be avoided unless directed by a Power for Good. If so directed, then the use of magic must be limited strictly to the specific directions provided.

Magic must be treated far differently than any other element of the fantastic. It is the only one that borders on being anti-scriptural. We can allow magic if doing so conforms to a higher morality within the story. But when stories use sorcery and witchcraft, we have every right to avoid such things if we believe their use is being glorified.

Secular fiction is free to use sorcery and witchcraft as the authors see fit and we are free to read or not. Christian authors, however, should follow Scripture as closely as possible so as not to introduce false teachings. (I say “closely as possible” to allow some wiggle room for speculation and for denominational differences which, while not strictly “false”, are certainly up for debate.) Peretti asks “what if the spiritual world works thus and so?” Davis asks “what if dragons served God?”  Lewis asks “what if another world needed a savior?” Each takes Biblical principles and blends in creativity to tell an original story without compromising Christian truths. 

So a Christian author can use magic if it is properly defined. Can Christian authors use witchcraft? I believe so only as long as the use is limited to Villains. The Villain does not conform to the Heroes Code of Ethics and is thus free to pursue evil. The Hero must abstain from evil. Fallen Heroes may repent if they break the Code, of course. I expect that would make for an interesting story and show the awesome power of redemption.

Every author, Christian or not, is absolutely free to write whatever they want. I am certainly not the final authority on what should and should not be written. What I can only do is present my opinions and explain why I believe as I do. I certainly hope this has made some sense to you and helped explain why some may have issues with fantastic elements in fiction – especially magic and witchcraft. 

I’ve talked about the Heroes Code of Ethics and other terms as if I really know what these mean.  I don’t, really, but I’ll work on it and see if I can nail anything down.