The Historical and Biblical Case for Sacred Magic from a Recovering Pastor
For many, discussing magic in a Christian context feels contradictory, perhaps even dangerous. The church’s historical stance on this topic reveals a legacy of fear, condemnation, and restriction intended to keep believers from practices often labeled as “pagan.” But as history unfolds and research evolves, we’re uncovering a more nuanced truth: the presence and use of magic have always been part of human culture, including within religious frameworks.
Long before modern academia and historical discoveries shed light on these practices, people sensed that there was something true and powerful in magic.
Dive deep enough into the Bible—beyond the familiar Sunday School teachings—and you’ll find mention of divination, visions, the Urim and Thummim, ceremonial rituals, symbolic rituals, anointing with oil, and practices that, by today’s definitions, might be deemed magical. It’s important for modern Western readers of the Bible to remember it is an ancient Eastern Jewish book. Even the New Testament was written primarily by Jews and Christians were considered a Jewish sect, even marrying with Jews, for the first 150 years of its existence.
Often, mostly, the Bible has been taught from a uniform, American viewpoint. It’s incredibly unfortunate. The Christian culture that has taught Scripture in a logically inconsistent and historically inaccurate has also taught people to hate the Bible. Much of my passion is teaching the Bible, unveiling it without all the assumptions we’ve inherited and reinforced. It’s difficult to think of the Bible as anything else when it’s used viciously against others, something I’ve come to believe it is fundamentally trying to teach against.
Rather than rigid doctrines and systematic theologies, these stories and themes are about a Narrative Theology, a story of humanity and God’s work within it that invites everyone to consider their own narrative. And within the Bible, practically on every page, magic can be found.
God’s speech through the Urim and the Thummim. Rijksmuseum
Historical Roots and Theological Context
The Bible isn’t shy about practices that appear magical. In the Old Testament, we encounter Joseph, who rose to prominence in Egypt because of his gift for dream interpretation. While types of divination were generally forbidden in the Israelite community, Joseph’s use of dreams as divine communication shows how ancient faith could accommodate practices. Far from condemning him, God blessed Joseph’s actions, which ultimately saved Israel.
The Israelites themselves had divination practices, evidenced in their use of objects like the Urim and Thummim, stones believed to reveal God’s will when consulted by priests. Even the wise men, or magi, who visited Jesus at his birth, practiced forms of astrology and divination. Their very title “magi” means “magician” and is rooted in Persian and Babylonian traditions. They were “teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, augers, soothsayers, sorcerers, etc.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). This class of people was common in practically every society, studying and applying knowledge from language, personal practice, politics, astrology, medicine, and religious rituals.
King Solomon, traditionally held as one of the wisest figures in Scripture, reputedly possessed knowledge of the spirit world and inscriptions akin to spellwork. Ancient legends attribute books of mystical knowledge to Solomon, detailing interactions with spirits, which later inspired entire traditions of Jewish and Christian mysticism.
These examples reveal that outright rejection of magic is a more modern development in the Christian tradition. In ancient times, what we now label as “magic” was interwoven with survival, health, and spirituality. Pharmekeia, for instance—often translated as “witchcraft” or “sorcery”—refers to potions, drugs, and herbs, a field encompassing both healing and harm, depending on intention and context. Alcohol was considered a pharmekeia. Without modern medicine, people relied on spiritual and herbal knowledge, practices that blurred into what we might call magic. With modern medicine, we’ve proved we can practice pharmakeia in incredibly unhealthy ways.
Perhaps, some healthy “magic” could be one antidote to the modern insanity of our world.
Early Christian Magic: Beyond the Binary of “Good” and “Evil”
As Christianity emerged, early believers didn’t separate themselves from the mystical and magical practices around them. In an age lacking formal theological guides or ample sacred texts, new Christians often held onto familiar practices. Rather than rejecting magic outright, they questioned its purpose and alignment with faith. The issue was not the use of magic but the intention behind it—paralleling how contemporary spiritual communities view the ethical use of such practices.
[Picture source: https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/the-evil-eye-the-cultural-journey-of-an-ageless-symbol]
[Picture source: https://www.livescience.com/evil-eye-amulet-rediscovered-israel.html]
For example, early Christian symbols included the ichthys (fish) and variations of the Evil Eye, an amulet believed to ward off curses. In Jewish culture, amulets and incantations were used as a form of spiritual protection, with early Christians adopting similar practices to shield themselves from perceived threats. The Evil Eye became a cross-cultural symbol, reimagined by Christians as a way to invoke divine protection for centuries.
Similarly, the figure of Lilith, rooted in Jewish mysticism, represented an early fascination with both the feared and revered “dark feminine.” Early Christian texts occasionally referenced her as a figure to be warded against through prayer or ritual, showing how the mystical practices of Judaism influenced early Christianity.
Magic as Reflection of the Divine: Bridging Biblical and Spiritual Practices
In Jewish tradition, Kabbalah emerged as a mystical practice that uses symbols, numbers, and sacred language to reveal hidden truths. While developed centuries later, Kabbalah reflects an ancient pattern of integrating ritual and divine wisdom. Like many spiritual systems, it offered a way to approach God through personal reflection and insight—a “magical” engagement meant to align one’s heart and mind with divine order. And this is but one of many varieties of Jewish mystical traditions.
The New Testament, likewise, has moments of ritual symbolism that bridge the mystical and the material world. These were Jewish people with a new Teacher living in a Greco-Roman world. From Alexander the Great to Augustus, the world had been mixed together, encompassing most of Western Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East, including regions like Spain (Hispania), Gaul (modern France), Britain, Greece, Egypt, Asia Minor (modern Turkey), and parts of modern-day Syria and Jordan. Across the Roman empire, Jews and Christians each had a Narrative they were trying to live by, so they used practices and tools to engage with their faith.
Baptism, for instance, cleanses the believer, an act shared by various ancient purification rituals. Communion, likewise, enacts the transformative power of ritual by inviting participants into a profound experience that transcends the material. Prayer and meditation are common biblical instructions. These acts could, maybe should, be seen as forms of “magic,” creating a sacred space for transformation and spiritual communion.
The Bible is a narrative filled with supernatural occurrences and encounters. It’s about real people living out real lives. Prophets perform miracles, apostles heal, and visions reveal divine truths. Magic and miracles intersect in Scripture, challenging the idea that magic has no place in the life of faith. For the ancient Jews, magic was shared human language—a way to understand and debate reality through mystical experiences.
Mystical Practices and Medieval Christianity
Despite church efforts to control and condemn magic, mystical traditions blossomed within the medieval church. Saints and mystics like Meister Eckhart explored spiritual practices that looked and felt like spellwork. Hildegard of Bingen, a Benedictine abbess, claimed divine visions that instructed her to create healing music and use herbs for physical and spiritual wellness. She sought harmony between human beings and creation—a distinctly mystical form of “magic” meant to deepen faith and reflect God’s creation.
The medieval church also celebrated the power of relics, the intercession of saints, and holy sites, all believed to possess healing abilities. In practice, these beliefs and rituals resembled magic, imbuing objects and places with sacred power. Rituals of purification, the veneration of icons, and protective symbols persisted despite attempts to downplay their magical nature. Far from being unchristian, these elements became integral parts of the medieval spiritual landscape.
Over time, the Protestant Reformation and the Enlightenment sought to strip away mystical practices. Reformers like Martin Luther critiqued excessive ritualism, emphasizing a direct relationship with God over mediated practices. Rationalism further minimized the mystical, encouraging Christians to adopt a faith defined by reason rather than wonder. Yet even today, elements of “Jesus magic” persist, albeit reframed in different terms. Healing ministries, prosperity theology, and intercessory prayer continue to assume a divine power that can directly influence the material world, a fundamentally magical belief.
“Jesus Magic” in Modern Christianity: The Unspoken Power of Ritual
Modern Christians engage in practices with magical qualities, often without acknowledging them as such. Ritual prayer, intercessory prayer, and sacramental acts like communion embody a form of “Jesus magic”—practices that bring divine presence into daily life. For many, worship is considered a form of spiritual warfare, an intentional act meant to call forth divine intervention.
Christian magic isn’t about wielding power for personal gain; it’s about tapping into a sacred story to transform life. Ritual prayer, for example, embodies one’s beliefs in a tangible way, invoking divine presence and perspective. In churches, worship songs are often seen as ways to “invite” the Holy Spirit, creating transformative experiences for participants. These are not so different from magical practices in their purpose and effect.
As a former pastor and recovering alcoholic, I’ve come to see magic as a tool for shadow work—confronting one’s true self in alignment with the divine. Christian rituals have a magic all their own, rooted in the transformation of the soul. Practicing “Jesus magic” has deepened my faith in ways I never expected, drawing me into a space of healing and self-reflection.
Magic as a Tool for Self-Reflection and Transformation
Whether understood as “magic” or not, the essence of these practices lies in their capacity to confront and heal. Engaging in ritual—whether prayer, spellwork, or contemplation—leads to authenticity and self-discovery. Magic, when practiced with intention, becomes a way to confront our complexities and limitations, fostering a connection to the divine and inviting transformation.
Magic, at its heart, is about aligning the inner and outer worlds, harmonizing intention with action. This sense of empowerment resonates deeply in both spiritual and magical contexts, where thoughts, words, and actions become the tools for healing and growth. Rather than focusing on external change, magic invites an internal shift—transforming one’s soul and understanding of the world.
For those who approach it with humility and sincerity, magic becomes a path to a deeper connection with God, self, and others. The sacred practices we engage in reveal a God who invites us to explore both light and dark, integrating our complexities into a greater whole.
Embracing a Journey of Mystery and Wonder
The question was never whether magic is “right” or “wrong”; it’s about how we use it to cultivate connection and understanding. Magic offers tools to direct passion, heal wounds, and explore purpose, all of which can deepen our spiritual lives. As we open ourselves to its mysteries, we may find that magic and faith are not as separate as they seem.
For those who struggle with doubt or fear, I invite you to explore the rich tapestry of magic and spirituality. Let go of rigid labels and embrace the unknown, finding the beauty and depth in practices that invite healing and insight.
Three Examples of Merging Jesus and Magic
For those who find inspiration in both Jesus and modern magic, there are unique opportunities to create meaningful spiritual practices that honor both traditions. Christian mystical practices, like Lectio Divina and self-nullification meditation (kenosis), provide depth and inner exploration, while elements from modern magical practices offer tangible ways to focus intentions and connect with spiritual energy. By integrating these practices, one can cultivate a balanced spiritual journey rooted in both faith and intentional action.
The following are just examples: switch out elements and apply each as it works for you. These things are meant to be disciplines that help us grow and be grounded, so find things you can make a habit out of. If you’re a Bible nerd, like me, sitting with Scripture and reflecting on it until I can see myself in every word is often enough to wreck my life and get things back in alignment.
The key is that you want what you’re seeking and are open to any answers on the other side. Keep it about you, not in an ego way, but rather be honest and brave. One free suggestion is to avoid “proof-texting,” such as selecting a Bible verse out of context and applying it inaccurately. Instead, try this: whatever Bible verse catches your attention, learn more about it and let it learn you to find out why it grabbed your attention. Remember the people the words came from.
Lectio Divina with Sigil Creation: Embodying Scripture
Lectio Divina, an ancient Christian practice of meditative Scripture reading, invites one to slowly and mindfully engage with a biblical text, opening space for personal insight and divine connection. This meditative approach can be paired with modern sigil creation to embody the insights gained from Scripture in a physical, symbolic form. Here’s a way to blend these practices:
- Select a Passage and Reflect: Begin by choosing a Scripture passage that resonates with your current intention or spiritual need. This might be something like peace, wisdom, or clarity. Slowly read the passage, focusing on each word and noticing any phrases or imagery that stand out.
- Create a Sigil of Your Insight: From this reflection, condense your insight into a simple phrase. For example, if you reflected on a passage about peace, you might choose the phrase, “God’s peace within.” Take the first letters of each word, reimagining or rearranging them into a symbol that speaks to you. This becomes a sigil, a visual representation of your insight.
- Use the Sigil as a Reminder: Place this sigil somewhere you can see it regularly—on your desk, near your bed, or even carry it with you. Every time you see it, it serves as a reminder of your reflection on Scripture and the peace that God offers, bringing a sacred focus into your daily awareness.
In combining Lectio Divina with sigil creation, you create a bridge between Christian meditation and the symbolic language of magic, enabling you to carry a tangible reminder of God’s message with you throughout your day.
Confession with Cleansing Rituals: Releasing Through Kenosis
Confession, an act of humility and self-emptying, aligns closely with kenosis, the spiritual practice of emptying oneself to be filled with God’s presence. This practice encourages surrendering one’s ego and intentions to align more fully with divine will. Incorporating a cleansing ritual can enhance this experience:
- Preparation for Confession and Reflection: Set aside time to prepare yourself for confession by quieting your mind and acknowledging your personal struggles or areas of ego-driven attachment. Reflect on any burdens or regrets you are ready to release, asking for God’s grace to assist in letting them go.
- Confess and Release: As you confess your burdens, visualize these aspects of yourself as symbols you are offering up to God. Imagine them leaving your body and mind, making room for the light and love of the divine to enter.
- Enhance the Release with Water Cleansing: After confession, perform a cleansing ritual with water—either by washing your hands, face, or even immersing yourself in a bath. As the water washes over you, imagine it symbolically carrying away your ego-driven tendencies and attachments, purifying you for God’s presence to fill the space within.
This combination brings together confession with a tangible, physical act of cleansing. It supports a practice of kenosis by reinforcing the idea of self-purification, preparing the heart to be open and receptive to divine love and guidance.
Chanting Prayer with Candle Rituals: Centering and Surrendering
Chanting prayers, such as the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”), can bring one into a state of focused meditation and surrender. Repeating a short prayer helps to clear the mind of distractions and fosters a humble spirit, aligning with the self-emptying aspect of kenosis. Combining this with a candle ritual creates a deeply reverent space for connection and surrender:
- Light a Candle as a Symbol of Presence: Choose a candle in a color that represents your intention or need. For example, white could symbolize purity, while blue might represent peace. Light it as you begin to pray, letting the flame represent God’s presence with you in that moment.
- Chant the Prayer and Focus on Release: Begin chanting the Jesus Prayer or another simple prayer that resonates with your heart. As you chant, visualize your own intentions, thoughts, or worries being absorbed into the flame, where they are surrendered to God’s will.
- Allow the Candle to Burn Down: Let the candle burn down as a symbol of your complete surrender. Watching the candle’s flame gradually diminish symbolizes the self-emptying process, allowing God to fill you as you let go of personal attachments.
This practice combines the reflective nature of chanting with the symbolic act of candle magic, creating a contemplative experience that aligns your intention with divine energy.
Blending Christian mystical practices with modern magical elements can bring new depth and creativity to a spiritual journey. Through these blended practices, spiritual seekers can experience a faith that is both grounded in Christian scripture and open to personal expression, fostering a path that is rich, contemplative, and deeply meaningful.
Closing Thoughts: Rediscovering Magic in Our Spiritual Lives
This journey is not without challenges, yet it is filled with promise. By embracing the mystical, we honor a legacy that is as old as faith itself, inviting God to meet us in the magic of the everyday. Jesus magic, as I call it, is ultimately about finding holiness within humanity and learning that, perhaps, the journey of faith was always meant to be a little magical.
