want a LCMS view on this

[dn341866]

Goodbye!!!!

[C.F.W. Walther]

Well when I was younger I wanted to know about white witchcraft and all I can say is if you play with fire you get burned. That is to say I got too interested just because of curiosity I was lulled into the "white" side and justified to myself that it wasn't going to get a hold on me because I was Lutheran.....Well for one thing it took my focus off of God and for years I was more interested in the occult that in Jesus as my Savior. Witchcraft was more exciting and like living on the edge.

Me personally I would say stay away from it. Know just enough to be able to warn someone away from it and then leave it alone.

Unfortunately in our churches they don't put enough emphasis on hell and the many ways to get to it. Heaven is a believable subject but the devil and hell are avoided and only in passing. One would say that is good and it doesn't lend credence to to the devil but I sometimes wonder if the old "fire and brimstone" tactic isn't needed occasionally.

In this day and age there isn't much emphasis on the devil's real attributes. Only the medias representation of him and the emphasis of the RC's involvment in posessions, scary "pits of hell" movies and as a monster. Unfortunately he is more insidious than that and a lot smarter than we give him credit. After all he was a fallen angel and one of God's favorites. That's why society has fallen into the "tolerance" trap. He makes everything "OK" now and tries to make God and Christians look narrowminded.

Galatians 5:19-21 (New International Version)

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

[ByzantineDixie]

In this day and age there isn't much emphasis on the devil's real attributes. Only the medias representation of him and the emphasis of the RC's involvment in posessions, scary "pits of hell" movies and as a monster. Unfortunately he is more insidious than that and a lot smarter than we give him credit. After all he was a fallen angel and one of God's favorites. That's why society has fallen into the "tolerance" trap. He makes everything "OK" now and tries to make God and Christians look narrowminded.

I tend to agree with you. I am told the translation of the Lord's Prayer which we say as "deliver us from evil" is better rendered from the Greek as "deliver us from the evil one". We used to say it this way when I was brought up Catholic. I notice my priest says this, although the rest of the parish tends to just say "deliver us from evil". I have returned to saying "deliver us from the evil one" to help with awareness and to keep that image of devil real before me.

[Studeclunker]

RW,
You mention you favourite subjects are Math, physics ,and computer science. This would tend to make me think you have an anylitical mind. That you like to take things (retorically speaking) apart and see how they work. However, this can become an obsession. Be very careful of your focus when dealing with a subject like this.

We have two choices in this area.
Our first has to do with the reliability of scripture. Or, is the Bible true or just so many fables. if the Bible is true, than Demons and Demon-possession exist. If the Bible is a collection of fables, then Demons and Demon-possession are as real as Grimm's Fairy Tales. I.E. bunk.

I happen to believe that the Bible is entirely true from cover to cover. Much of it I don't understand. I learn more every day. This much I do understand, however: Demons, the study thereof, and anything in this catagory is very dangerous.

Perhaps you were moved to ask questions about your interest in Demons, because the Spirit is trying to warn you of a problem.

[jcj3803]

My undergrad degree is in astronomy, so the scientist in me often says "nonsense" when I hear about evil spirits, etc.

However, I once counted the number of times demons are mentioned in the Book of Mark. I believe it was over 30 times.

I also had an interesting experience while taking a class at a seminary. On a break, I carried a can of Coke into the mensroom and set it on a table. Shortly after setting it down, the can starting wobbling around. Now I don't know why it popped into my head, but I commanded the "thing" to get out in the name of Christ. The can immediately stopped wobbling.

Scientist Jeff said, "Hmmm, interesting thermal effect" since the table was over a radiator. The Lutheran in me was pretty convinced it was something else.

I make no claims or offer any advice, I just tell this as a personal experience.

[TheCosmicGospel]

Perhaps the scientist in you wants the devil to "prove" himself because you know by faith Christ won't. Interesting triad.

The coke can concerns me. I think you have an "excited interest" to expect things to happen. Hard door to close when that opens. The mind can be a very deep and complex place even for a scientist especially one wrestling with the honesty of possible preoccupation.

There just comes a time when your walking towards a cliff to turn around without regret. There is something in you that wants to look over the edge. That is when a cliff is most dangerous. A coke can shakes. The wind blows.

Peace my friend,
Cosmic

[jcj3803]

Sorry, Cosmic, I have no idea what you're talking about.

I had a bizarre experience with a Coke can. In a seminary building. Nothing previous, nothing since. Some people see aerial and other phenomena that they can't explain. Make of what you will.