Post by Edith Ferguson on Jan 15, 2006 22:42:51 GMT -5
JOEL-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-526 * 4 NOVEMBER 2005
By: Marc van der Woude
Recently I have been exchanging e-mails with a young
Wiccan, a modern witch who found the Joel News website
(www.joelnews.org) that I edit while surfing the web.
Since she was a child she had been interested in
fairytales, herbs and healing minerals. When she was
about eleven she decided to become a witch. She
borrowed paganist literature from the public library
and gained knowledge of tarot, spells and rituals.
Halfway through our correspondence I asked her: "What
does your goddess give you that Christianity cannot
give you?" Her answer boils down to: "My goddess
confirms me in my identity, my value and my capacities
as a woman. Besides, Wicca helps me discover my
spirituality and develop my talents." Those were
things she hadn't found in the church or with
Christians.
This reminds me of what a friend of mine once said:
"There is more revival outside the church than inside.
The big question is whether we as Christians want to
be part of the revival that is going on outside the
church." He was thinking of the growing wave of
spirituality and openness to the supernatural,
especially among young people. This is the reason why
Wicca is a quickly growing cult for young women
looking for their identity.
And it's not only eccentric and gothic girls that call
themselves witches, or feminists or vegans. It goes
much deeper. The interest in fantasy and symbolism is
increasing. It is no coincidence that 'The Lord of the
Rings'
and 'Harry Potter' are attracting millions. Esoteric
and spiritual festivals like 'Burning Man' are
becoming part of many people's search for the meaning
of life.
I'm not going to discuss the point whether a Christian
can watch 'The Lord of the Rings' or read the Harry
Potter books. Those are rearguard discussions. Look
around you: there is a spiritual revival going on
outside the church. The point is not whether you as a
Christian can do something (you'd better ask the Holy
Spirit), but how can you, as a follower of Jesus
Christ, participate in this wave of spirituality in
such a way that seekers find the real Source of Life?
Swiss Salvation Army pastor Daniel Hari has developed
his own approach. It may be unconventional in the eyes
of many Christians, but it is very relevant for New
Agers: in the Luzern railway station and several
esoteric magazines he advertises with courses titled
'Discover the spirituality of Jesus Christ', 'Jesus as
Guru' and 'Healing like Jesus'. He has no trouble
filling those courses. While the participants sit in a
circle in the lotus position, he invites the Holy
Spirit to reveal Jesus to them. This way, scores of
New Agers have come to Christ.
Friends of mine near Sankt Gallen, also in
Switzerland, chose a different angle. As an
alternative for these mediums who do stage shows to
demonstrate their powers, they rented a local hotel
for an 'African Power Night.' The guest speaker was
Chris Daza, a prophet from Malawi, who would
demonstrate the 'power of God from Africa.' They put
notices in local papers (not in Christian magazines)
and the whole room was full of New Agers. Daza told
some thrilling miracle stories from Africa, explained
that the power behind those miracles was the power of
Jesus, and invited those present to experience that
power for themselves. He did not need to repeat that
invitation. Dozens of people met Jesus that evening.
They experienced his love, his healing, and his power
to drive out demons. After that experience, the gospel
was explained. There were two ways people could invite
Jesus into their lives: into their hearts and into
their houses.
That same night, several house churches were started,
which have attracted New Agers to Jesus in their turn.
This is very different from our usual Christian
practice. You undoubtedly know this scenario: There is
going to be a paranormal event in town and near the
entrance you will find some Christians giving out a
warning tract:
"Don't go in there, it is bad for you." "Better go to
our church, which is good for you." But that's just
the trouble. People don't find in church what they
find at the paranormal fair or whatever it is. You can
hardly blame them for going to a 'healer' if the
church does not offer healing.
You can hardly blame them for consulting mediums while
churches quench the Spirit of prophecy.
Some young Christians from Holland were inspired by
this example to go to an esoteric fair. Not to
distribute handouts but to rent two stalls: one for
'divine healing' and one for 'spiritual readings'
(also known as 'prophecy' among Christians). Young
people who know Jesus and have experienced the power
of the Holy Spirit for themselves, pray for healing
with all who come. At the 'spiritual readings' stall,
God's destiny is prophesied over people's lives.
David and Renate Sörensen, church planters from
Brueges in Belgium visited a witches conference not
long ago. They prayed, asked God for spiritual
insight, observed how powerful demonic delusion can
be, communicated prophetic insights and shared the
life of Jesus.
Wiccans and New Agers are seekers, they are intuitive
and creative. To introduce Jesus to them, intuitive
and creative Christians are needed, who have learned
spiritual discernment and to receive revelation. Not
with the attitude of 'you are still lost and I am
miles further on,' but 'we are both looking for deeper
fulfilment, and we have found something in Jesus that
Wicca and esoteric stuff cannot give you: Real Life.'
Your feedback on this article is welcomed at
info@joelnews.org.
Source: www.joelnews.org
By: Marc van der Woude
Recently I have been exchanging e-mails with a young
Wiccan, a modern witch who found the Joel News website
(www.joelnews.org) that I edit while surfing the web.
Since she was a child she had been interested in
fairytales, herbs and healing minerals. When she was
about eleven she decided to become a witch. She
borrowed paganist literature from the public library
and gained knowledge of tarot, spells and rituals.
Halfway through our correspondence I asked her: "What
does your goddess give you that Christianity cannot
give you?" Her answer boils down to: "My goddess
confirms me in my identity, my value and my capacities
as a woman. Besides, Wicca helps me discover my
spirituality and develop my talents." Those were
things she hadn't found in the church or with
Christians.
This reminds me of what a friend of mine once said:
"There is more revival outside the church than inside.
The big question is whether we as Christians want to
be part of the revival that is going on outside the
church." He was thinking of the growing wave of
spirituality and openness to the supernatural,
especially among young people. This is the reason why
Wicca is a quickly growing cult for young women
looking for their identity.
And it's not only eccentric and gothic girls that call
themselves witches, or feminists or vegans. It goes
much deeper. The interest in fantasy and symbolism is
increasing. It is no coincidence that 'The Lord of the
Rings'
and 'Harry Potter' are attracting millions. Esoteric
and spiritual festivals like 'Burning Man' are
becoming part of many people's search for the meaning
of life.
I'm not going to discuss the point whether a Christian
can watch 'The Lord of the Rings' or read the Harry
Potter books. Those are rearguard discussions. Look
around you: there is a spiritual revival going on
outside the church. The point is not whether you as a
Christian can do something (you'd better ask the Holy
Spirit), but how can you, as a follower of Jesus
Christ, participate in this wave of spirituality in
such a way that seekers find the real Source of Life?
Swiss Salvation Army pastor Daniel Hari has developed
his own approach. It may be unconventional in the eyes
of many Christians, but it is very relevant for New
Agers: in the Luzern railway station and several
esoteric magazines he advertises with courses titled
'Discover the spirituality of Jesus Christ', 'Jesus as
Guru' and 'Healing like Jesus'. He has no trouble
filling those courses. While the participants sit in a
circle in the lotus position, he invites the Holy
Spirit to reveal Jesus to them. This way, scores of
New Agers have come to Christ.
Friends of mine near Sankt Gallen, also in
Switzerland, chose a different angle. As an
alternative for these mediums who do stage shows to
demonstrate their powers, they rented a local hotel
for an 'African Power Night.' The guest speaker was
Chris Daza, a prophet from Malawi, who would
demonstrate the 'power of God from Africa.' They put
notices in local papers (not in Christian magazines)
and the whole room was full of New Agers. Daza told
some thrilling miracle stories from Africa, explained
that the power behind those miracles was the power of
Jesus, and invited those present to experience that
power for themselves. He did not need to repeat that
invitation. Dozens of people met Jesus that evening.
They experienced his love, his healing, and his power
to drive out demons. After that experience, the gospel
was explained. There were two ways people could invite
Jesus into their lives: into their hearts and into
their houses.
That same night, several house churches were started,
which have attracted New Agers to Jesus in their turn.
This is very different from our usual Christian
practice. You undoubtedly know this scenario: There is
going to be a paranormal event in town and near the
entrance you will find some Christians giving out a
warning tract:
"Don't go in there, it is bad for you." "Better go to
our church, which is good for you." But that's just
the trouble. People don't find in church what they
find at the paranormal fair or whatever it is. You can
hardly blame them for going to a 'healer' if the
church does not offer healing.
You can hardly blame them for consulting mediums while
churches quench the Spirit of prophecy.
Some young Christians from Holland were inspired by
this example to go to an esoteric fair. Not to
distribute handouts but to rent two stalls: one for
'divine healing' and one for 'spiritual readings'
(also known as 'prophecy' among Christians). Young
people who know Jesus and have experienced the power
of the Holy Spirit for themselves, pray for healing
with all who come. At the 'spiritual readings' stall,
God's destiny is prophesied over people's lives.
David and Renate Sörensen, church planters from
Brueges in Belgium visited a witches conference not
long ago. They prayed, asked God for spiritual
insight, observed how powerful demonic delusion can
be, communicated prophetic insights and shared the
life of Jesus.
Wiccans and New Agers are seekers, they are intuitive
and creative. To introduce Jesus to them, intuitive
and creative Christians are needed, who have learned
spiritual discernment and to receive revelation. Not
with the attitude of 'you are still lost and I am
miles further on,' but 'we are both looking for deeper
fulfilment, and we have found something in Jesus that
Wicca and esoteric stuff cannot give you: Real Life.'
Your feedback on this article is welcomed at
info@joelnews.org.
Source: www.joelnews.org