Strong’s Definition Clears up Confusion!
Years ago I became fascinated when something disappeared then magically reappeared. It fooled my eyes and my mind. So, I purchased trick after trick and had fun showing the tricks.
As a wedding musician I found “Flower Girls” and “Ring Bearers” were initially cute dancing together at receptions, but after 15 minutes no one paid any attention to them and were just in the way. Out of pity I began entertaining them on my breaks with tricks, then hearing their belly laughs.
3 years ago I decided to start entertaining as a Magician professionally. BUT like many lay people and ministers/pastors, I remembered that Magicians seemed to be condemned in the Torah, Tanah or Old Testament. What seemed harmless, I thought, was strongly condemned. Was I a horrible person for violating God’s Word?
Biblical References for Magicians
I went to the source of all wisdom, the Bible, and then “Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance” to find the answer! Strong’s only identifies Magician/Magicians 16 times. It is from Genesis to Daniel and uses only two numbers – 2748 and 2749 for translation definitions. First, I read all 16 Bible references. However, “Magicians” aren’t always bad – only as advisors to kings in evil empires!
I looked up both 2748 and 2749 in Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words. 2748 and 2749 gave the definition as horoscopist, magician. Well, I don’t believe in, nor teach the horoscope. So I went to the Hebrew/Aramaic Dictionary section for clarification. Here’s Strong’s definition:
“2748. chartom, khar-tome; from the same as 2747; a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles): – magician.” In point of fact, Daniel was appointed as chief of the Magicians in Daniel 5:11.
There is a man in your (Belshazzar’s) kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father – your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father – your father the king – made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans and soothsayers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says God hates 7 things, Pride, Lying, Murder, Plotting Evil, Eager to do Evil, Perjury, and Strife/Sedition. Magicians are not mentioned. The main Biblical problem with Magicians seems to be “guilt by association.” Magicians seemed to hang out with astrologers, soothsayers and others who don’t get their guidance from GOD or the HOLY SPIRIT!
Study Conclusion for Magicians
Is there a Christian magician tradition? The Fellowship of Christian Magicians was formed in 1953 by a group of individuals interested in sharing the Gospel using sleight of hand illusions. They have thousands of members from all walks of life. Their website is www.fca.org. As Christians all of us have been commissioned to share the Gospel with the world.
Now finally satisfied, I continue to light up the world with merriment and laughter! In this time of evil Political Correctness, I find Magic Tricks are a fun and very effective way to go into all the World and Preach the Gospel!
