Christian Witchcraft, Lesson 3

So here we are again, friends. In lesson two, I talked a bit about the original 1611 King James Version of the Bible; the forerunner from which today's English translations are reportedly derived. I spoke of how King James’ learned theologians could not possibly have been 100% inerrant in their translation of the biblical texts.

Again, no language can ever be 100% faithfully translated into another; for the simple fact that in every culture, people use words and phrases specific to their own dialect, historical and cultural beliefs; and no other. I also touched on the fact that the 14 books of the Apocrypha; which were included in both the original 1611 King James Bible, as well as the numerous English translations that preceded the KJV, are mysteriously missing from today’s English language versions. Now I’d like to make mention of a few other things that are missing from today’s ‘Authorized’ KJV.

Did you know that publications of the 1611 KJV today no longer include a rather lengthy preface authored by the very translators themselves? One in which the translators themselves make note of the fact that their work was not inerrant? Here is a quote taken directly from that preface.

“Therefore as S. Augustine saith, that variety of Translations is profitable for the finding out of the sense of the Scriptures: so diversity of signification and sense in the margin, where the text is not so clear, must need do good, yea, is necessary, as we are persuaded."

Here, our faithful translators openly admit that earlier English publications of the scriptures were relied upon to help them make better sense out of difficult passages in the original foreign language texts. I’m also going to go out on a limb here; and say that it appears as though our translators are speaking about how they added notes to the margins of the KJV; to help us better understand certain words and phrases for which there were not perfect English language equivalents. These notes were added by men...NOT BY GOD; as man saw fit to add them.

Let me go on and quote another passage from the Preface. This is always a shocker for those who believe that the Authorized 1611 KJV is the inspired, infallible translation of God’s word.

“It hath pleased God in his divine providence, here and there to scatter words and sentences of that difficulty and doubtfulness, ... that fearfulness would better beseem us than confidence, and if we will resolve upon modesty with S. Augustine, There be many words in the Scriptures, which be never found there but once, ... so that we cannot be helped by conference of places. Again, there be many rare names of certain birds, beasts and precious stones, etc. ... Now in such a case, doth not a margin do well to admonish the Reader to seek further, and not to conclude or dogmatize upon this or that peremptorily?”

Again, I’m quoting straight from the preface of the original publication of the 1611 KJV. As we can clearly see here, it would seem that there were indeed whole passages of the original Hebrew and Greek scriptures which the translators themselves did not understand with perfect clarity. Thus, these passages could not have been translated with 100% confidence. These were very good, honest, supremely intelligent Christian men who very obviously did their job to the best of their ability. And yet, even they openly admit that their translation was not without error.

My point, friends; is that they were only men….And while I stand firm in my belief that God is perfect, fallible man; though he be beautiful and his heart be in the right place, is still prone to making mistakes. In fact, the translators seem to be encouraging us to seek further, to refrain from jumping to conclusions about every little word or phrase we read being 100% correct; and to exercise due diligence in finding the answers for ourselves!

Again, I love the 1611 KJV… And while I will say that it's a WONDERFUL translation of God's Word, I don't agree with the antiquated theory of its being a 100%, perfectly accurate translation. Many of the English words we read in today’s versions of the KJV were derived from archaic words that do not have perfect, English language equivalents. And so the question becomes; does God really hate Witches?

Blessings,
Rainwalker.



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For Rawna

Rawna Moon the Starchild, once wrote a beautiful poem about what it means to be a Christian Witch. It may not reflect my personal views, but its been among my favorite writings on the subject ever since; and I wanted to share it with all of you. And so, without further adieu:

In Honor of Lady Rawna; who planted herself firmly on the border between Christendom and Witchery; and who with boldness and eloquence, lit the way for all who traverse the mid realms.

I AM AN OXYMORON

“You know what! I'm going to stop resisting being an Oxymoron and start celebrating it. Am I an Oxymoron? You betcha little booties I am! I am a doubting believer....a gentle warrior....a laughing mourner....a spiritual body....a "straight" "queer"....a liberal conservative....an adult child....a weeping celebrant....an honored outcast....a human animal....a true fiction....a sincere hypocrite....an unconscious consciousness....a real fantasy....and a Christian Witch! I am a nothing that is something....who hears sounds in silence....sees mystery in the common....embraces the sacred in the mundane....and finds wisdom in fools. I follow an Oxymoron who said that the first are last...that the cursed are blessed....that dying is how one finds life....and the greatest of all is the slave of all. The Oxymoron who called power weakness and riches poverty and glory shameful, and who called weakness power and poverty riches and shame glorious. The Oxymoron who said all the Kingdom of Heaven is smaller than a mustard seed. The Oxymoron who put "sinners" before "saints" and beggars before kings. The Oxymoron whose crown was thorns, whose throne was a cross, and whose greatest victory was the greatest tragedy of all time, the One who wins by losing, the One who fills by emptying, the GOD who is HUMAN. The Oxymoron. The Paradox. The Mystery. The Contradiction. The Dialectic. The Oxymoron. Yes....call me an Oxymoron...put me in the camp outside the city with all the Sages and all the Shamans and all who have stood between worlds. I am a Christian. I am a Witch. If that doesn't make sense to you....it’s not supposed to....no more than the sound of one hand clapping makes sense....or that the journey is the destination....or that the question is its own answer....for I am a living koan and I seek only to become who I have always been. And you will only understand when you cease trying to understand. You will only grasp when you open your hand. And you will only hold on when you let go.”

©Rawna Moon the Starchild May 3, 1998 19:36

Christian Witchcraft, Lesson 2

Christian Witchcraft will always be a difficult subject for the conventional believer to comprehend; but it’s probably most notably difficult for fundamentalist and evangelical Christians. Especially when it comes to interpreting the anti-witch and magic passages found in English translations of the Bible.

Now; before you go burying me under a wall of hate comments, I want to make something very clear. I’m not here to bash on Christians. Before I’m anything else, I am a Christian; and as such, I have no interest in picking on my brothers and sisters in Christ…I'm merely trying to make a point. Most fundamentalist and evangelical Christians subscribe to the antiquated theory that God is anti-witch and anti-magick. And they will have plenty of English language scripture on hand to back this theory up.

Many English speaking Christians regard the “Authorized 1611 King James" translation of the bible; as the infallible, inerrant, Word of God. But is this really the case.., Or a well-guarded myth?

In 1604, King James the 1st of England commissioned 50 learned theologians and scholars to take on the most arduous task of re-translating Hebrew Masoretic, Kione Greek and Latin Vulgate scripture; (Latin Vulgate scriptural manuscripts were used by the Christian church in Brittan/England for well over a thousand years). Of the original 50 men comissioned, 47 saw the task through to completion.

These great men were undoubtedly meticulous in their work. They did everything within their power NOT to make mistakes; often translating words syllable by syllable after much debate. And no one can deny that the finished product is astounding. The KJV is easily the most beloved translation of the biblical texts in existence. I use the KJV. It’s the version of the Bible that I feel the deepest reverence for, and I’ve read it for most of my life.

That being said; its important to note that as fine a job as James' translators did, they were neither the first to translate the scriptures into the English language, nor could they have possibly been 100% inerrant in their work.

Yes, they were as ‘near perfect’ in their translation as possible. But a 100% inerrant translation of archaic Greek and Hebrew into Latin would have been impossible…Why? Because every dialect ever spoken or written by humankind, contains words and phrases which cannot be represented in any other dialect but the original.

The original Hebrew Masoretic and Koine Greek scriptures; the texts from which all later translations of the Bible were derived (including the Latin texts observed by the Christian church of both the early and latter medieval period) contained a percentage of archaic words and phrases which were specific to the Hebrew and Greek cultures of biblical times. These are words and phrases which had neither Latin, nor English language equivalents.

Secondly, the King James Bible translation that we read in church today was not derived solely from the Hebrew, Greek and Latin. It also includes SEVERAL passages of scripture which were borrowed from previously ‘authorized’ English language translations of the bible; all of which date back to a time before King James the 1st of England took the throne. Translations like the Coverdale Bible of 1535, the Geneva Bible of 1560, and the Bishops’ Bible of 1568; just to name a few.

Lastly, it’s a little known fact that older English publications of the bible; including the original publication of the 1611 King James Bible, contained the whole of the Apocrypha. That's 14 complete books of scripture; which, only a little more than a hundred years ago, mysteriously ‘vanished’ from virtually all English language bibles . Think on this for a moment if you will. The Authorized KJV that we read in church today, is missing 14 WHOLE BOOKS! 168 chapters of scripture. 5700 verses! And these verses are not only absent from the KJV, but also from virtually every other English translation in publication.

Tell me, Dear Ones…Is the light beginning to shine for you yet?

Peace, Love and Light,
Rainwalker

A Lovely Little Ritual

This ritual was designed to help get the body more in tune with the spirit. It has been adapted from a traditional white-magick witches spell; found on a website called, ‘Everything Under the Moon’. I believe that the original version was authored by a lady called ‘StarWitch’; and I just loved it. I hope that you will pull it out and use it to bless yourself often; as we travel on our journey together. This ritual should be performed at night either outside, or at a place indoors from which you can clearly see the moon and sky.

Light a large, white candle. Burn a mixture of balsam, sandalwood and pine together in your cauldron. Let the smoke surround you while you recite the words.

You will also need a small bowl of salt water for the anointing of the body. If you prefer, you may use anointing oil in lieu of salt water.

Put the bowl of salt water (or the anointing oil) in front of you; where you can easily reach it. Dip your fingers into the liquid before you bless each part of your body. First, touch your fingers to your eyelids and say, ‘Bless my eyes that I might have clarity of vision.’ Touch your mouth and say, ‘Bless my mouth that I may always speak the truth’. Touch your ears and say, ‘Bless my ears that I may hear all that which is spoken, and all that which is not’. Touch your heart and say, ‘Bless my heart; that it may be filled with divine love’. If you are a woman, you may also touch the area over your womb and say; ‘Bless that part of me from which all creativity springs forth…From which new life is given; and help me also to see my life as a gift.’ Touch your feet and say, ‘Bless my feet, that I may always stand firm on my spiritual path’. Extinguish your candle when you’re finished with the blessing.

Enjoy!

Blessings, Rainwalker.

Christian Witchcraft, Lesson 1...Introduction

Merry Meet! And welcome to Rainwalker's Realm; my blog about Christian Witchcraft.


Christian Witchcraft, like conventional Christianity, comes in many flavors. For some, it simply means having a liberal view of both Christianity, and Paganism. For others, it's an eclectic form of Gnosticism or Esoterica. One in which a person believes (for example) in a concept of Yehsua/Jesus, but also in the sacred feminine or a pantheon of deities. For me, being a Christian Witch means that before anything else I am first and foremost, a follower of Jesus Christ.

I believe in only one God. And I enjoy a close, personal relationship with my Savior. In addition to my Christian faith, however; I've also made a conscious choice to embrace my talent for the magical arts.

Whatever your personal interpretation of Christian Witchcraft may be, I think it only fair to mention that Christian Witchery is not a popular concept. Not among Pagans, and not among Christians. In general, anyone who call himself a 'Christian Witch' can expect to face some strong opposition.

I want to touch briefly on some of the reasons why Christians and Pagans get so uptight when they hear the words 'Christian' and 'Witch' spoken in succession.

Most Christians; regardless of which church they belong to, share the belief that the God of Abraham expressly forbids His followers from practicing witchcraft. And if you've ever studied an English version of the bible, I'm sure you understand why. No doubt you've come across at least one of the many anti-witch or anti-magic passages trickled throughout the bible scriptures.

Should you decide to brave the waters and discuss the fact that you practice witchcraft with an evangelical or fundamentalist Christian, you'll probably be confronted (often rudely), with a myriad of the aforementioned scriptures. Including the infamous ‘thou shalt not suffer a witch to live’, found in Exodus 22:18.

What people are saying when they quote this verse, is that you'd be better off dead than you are practicing magic. For a Witch, statements like this can be very hurtful; even when a well-meaning Christian is merely trying to convey genuine concern.

On the other hand, your Pagan and Neo-Pagan friends may be inclined to think that you've lost your marbles. In my experience; as wonderful as most Pagans are, they seem to think that those who practice Christian Witchcraft are either, A.) terribly confused, or B.) just plain loopy. Either way, such assessments can be equally hurtful and demeaning.

For many Pagans, Christian Witchcraft simply doesn't make sense. The very idea that a person could worship the God of the bible and a pantheon of Pagan gods and goddesses...At the same time, is nothing short of an absurdity. An oxymoron. This stems of course, from the fact that Christians are monotheists; whereas Pagans and Neo-Pagans are polytheists.

It's easy to see (at least, in part) why Christian Witchcraft is such a controversial subject. But I'm here to blow past all the rhetoric, and tell you the truth. A person can indeed be both a Christian, and a Witch at the same time. In fact, there are many sects of Christianity; including Catholicism, who's practitioners have been fusing Christianity with various forms of Witchery for thousands of years.

So let's start with the very basics. There are far too many people...Christians and Pagans alike, walking around believing that witchcraft is a ‘religion’. This is a fairly new belief, likely established in the early 1970's with the emergence of the Wicca movement. Though facts are, it simply is not true!

Here is where I believe the problem lies...

Many of today's Neo-Pagans follow the Wiccan religion. Wicca, like Christianity, however; has many flavors...Generally speaking, it is a peaceful, earth-centered, dual theistic religious system; in which followers express a great reverence for nature and worship both a God and a Goddess. The problem is; Wicca has become so commonly associated with witchcraft and magic (especially over the last three decades), people have begun to use the terms Witch and Wiccan interchangeably; as though they were the same thing.

Many Pagans; even those who practice various forms of Wicca, remain blissfully ignorant of the fact that not all Wiccans practice witchcraft. Likewise, Christians have a hard time reconciling themselves to the fact that not all Witches are Wiccans!

Truth be told, true witchcraft is nothing more than what the word implies. It's an art form. Hence the four-letter suffix on the end of the word witch ('craft').

Contrary to popular belief, the term ‘witch’ has nothing at all to do with Wicca. The word 'witch' was actually derived from the ancient Anglo-Saxon term, witan; which means, “to know”.

And ‘craft’ of course, refers to any art form which can be mastered; providing the artist possesses a certain level of talent and commitment to learning it.

Witchcraft is an art. It's the art of taking that which God (or the Goddess, or the Horned God, or whomever you happen to feel a personal connection to) has already seen fit to provide...(Talents, abilities, insight, empathy, a connection to the divine, etc.); and using these gifts to cause change. It is “the art of knowing” how to manipulate natural forces and energies through concentration or ritual; in order to manifest desired results. Many of today's scholars even debate over whether witchcraft should be considered scientific in nature.

In truth, Witches come from every conceivable walk of life; and can be found practicing just about any 'religious system' including Christianity, or no religious system at all.

For those of us who are Christian, however; it's important to remember the following verse of scripture.

Jesus once said, "for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you". Matthew 17:20. Personally, I choose to believe that with faith, all things are possible. Even magic.

I’ve created this blog for two reasons. First and foremost, I want to encourage anyone who's feeling isolated, misunderstood, battered and bruised along the path to Christian Witchcraft, to hold fast. There is light at the end of the tunnel. It is ABSOLUTELY possible for a person to love the Jesus of the Bible and harness the powers of natural magic.

My name is Rainwalker, and I'd like to invite you on a very exiting journey. Come along as I explore Christian Witchcraft in all it's many forms; so that both Christians and Pagans might come away with a clearer understanding of what Christian Witchcraft is...And (more importantly), what it is not.

Brightest Blessings!