Can a Shaman also be a Christian?

[Hearingheart]

I would like to discuss if someone who believes in God and accepts Jesus Christ could also practice shamanic healing. Don't know if this is against the rule, so if it is, please remove it.

I have seen people be physically and emotionally healed by both Shaman's as well as Christians. I have seen Shaman's exhibit the fruits of the spirit as well as Christians. Is it possible that God reaches people whatever their understanding and culture?

 

[Chinchilla]

So you ask if God can reveal himself to some guy in africa which lives in some native tribe , yes he can.

 

[brinny]

Can a Shaman also be a Christian?

I would like to discuss if someone who believes in God and accepts Jesus Christ could also practice shamanic healing. Don't know if this is against the rule, so if it is, please remove it.

I have seen people be physically and emotionally healed by both Shaman's as well as Christians. I have seen Shaman's exhibit the fruits of the spirit as well as Christians. Is it possible that God reaches people whatever their understanding and culture?

What does the Bible say about "divination"?

Shaman:
A shaman (/ˈʃɑːmən/ SHAH-men) is someone who is regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of benevolent and malevolent spirits, who typically enters into a trance state during a ritual, and practices divination

Link --> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism

 

[Albion]

HH, maybe it would help if you were to outline just what a Shaman is believed to be, what authority he has, and if there is anything else about him we should know, especially in the area of theology, other than that shamanic healing techniques seem to work.

Based upon what Brinny wrote (while I was typing this post) it looks like the answer to your question would be No, not a good one, anyhow.

 

[Tolworth John]

I would like to discuss if someone who believes in God and accepts Jesus Christ could also practice shamanic healing.

Have you never read acts 19v 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.

The answer is simple No they can't.
Either they accept Jesus and reject there shaman ways or they reject Jesus and keep being a shaman.

 

[Basil the Great]

I would like to discuss if someone who believes in God and accepts Jesus Christ could also practice shamanic healing. Don't know if this is against the rule, so if it is, please remove it.

I have seen people be physically and emotionally healed by both Shaman's as well as Christians. I have seen Shaman's exhibit the fruits of the spirit as well as Christians. Is it possible that God reaches people whatever their understanding and culture?

You seem to be asking two different questions here. First, can a Shaman be a Christian? I cannot say, as I do not know enough about the beliefs and practices of a Shaman. Second, is it possible that God reaches peoples whatever their understanding and culture? It seems to me that we are not in a position to limit God's ability to do anything, including reaching people who are not reached by Christian missionaries. Hence, I would say that God can reach people in very different cultures, anywhere at anytime, if He chooses to do so.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Shamanism, as a term, does not describe a specific religion but is a catch-all for a range of specific practices found mostly in pre-agrarian cultures (in Siberia, South America etc.). The connecting element between all of the various religions that can be characterized as "Shamanism" is the trance journey, an altered state of consciousness that allows the practitioner to "travel".

The best answer to your question would probably be this:

A shaman would not see anything wrong with embracing a Christian world view (in fact, many Shamans in Siberia consider themselves Orthodox Christians and/or incorporate crosses in their ceremonies), but most non-shaman Christians will adamantly assert that any such "mixing" pollutes the pure faith with horrid non-Christian corruption.

It's the old problem with exclusivist world views vs inclusivist world views. Most of Christianity operates upon the premise that world views need to be kept "pure" from all other ideas and influences, and that any exchange with others qualifies as a contamination that needs to be eliminated.

 

[drjean]

Ah good question! Very thin line to walk here...

It is the occupational responsibility of the shaman to find the most beautiful, loving, healing, wise, and powerful spirits. A shaman knows his spirits intimately and by name. He speaks to them daily and even views them as his alter ego. Hallucinogenic drugs are often part of the ritual in which he interacts with his spirits for guidance. Whenever he has a problem his spirits cannot solve, they summon another spirit that can solve it.

The shaman’s role is to utilize the power of the spirit world to provide complete guidance over the lives of the people in his village, with the goal of making all their lives better. He pursues the best spirits he can find — spirits that will lead the village in all respects, especially health and justice. This means healing the sick and exacting retribution for anyone who dies (all deaths must be avenged). It is impossible to overstate the shaman’s commanding role, for only he possesses the knowledge around which the life of his village revolves.
​

I do not 'practice' shamanism, though I have been called one. Still, among some peoples and cultures, that is the word they use for even a Christian who uses the Holy Spirit for power to assist other's lives whether for health, wisdom, guidance.

The Spirit a 'shaman' seeks guidance from is up to the shaman. The power a shaman uses is up to the shaman. See what I'm saying? I personally do not practice, and don't even do what I could in the purely Christian definition... but I have always advocated for true believers to not shy away from using God's guidance, wisdom and power through the Holy Spirit, for spreading the Gospel! Satan uses what God gave US... he uses it for evil... but Jesus said WE have all this power through Him, through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Satan wins when we account all that to his realm only. A Christian does not use the path to power and wisdom through satan, but through the Holy Spirit. But while others in the world may refer to a Christian using God's power as a shaman, I do not believe a Christian should use that term...

 

[dlamberth]

I would like to discuss if someone who believes in God and accepts Jesus Christ could also practice shamanic healing.

In practice, I'd say Yes. As examples, I call on the Peruvian Q'ero Paqos and other Andean masters.

 

[Hearingheart]

Have you never read acts 19v 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.

The answer is simple No they can't.
Either they accept Jesus and reject there shaman ways or they reject Jesus and keep being a shaman.

Yes, I've read Acts. What exactly was in the scrolls and what was their practice? The bible doesn't tell us specifics. I would suspect their worship was to other gods. A shaman does not necessarily worship gods.
My understanding is that a shaman is a vessel that works with the natural world and the spiritual realms to heal people. We, as Christians, don't worship angels, however, they can be used for our benefit.
I would like the perspective of people who actually know what shaman's are and how they operate.

 

[HatGuy]

I would like to discuss if someone who believes in God and accepts Jesus Christ could also practice shamanic healing. Don't know if this is against the rule, so if it is, please remove it.

I have seen people be physically and emotionally healed by both Shaman's as well as Christians. I have seen Shaman's exhibit the fruits of the spirit as well as Christians. Is it possible that God reaches people whatever their understanding and culture?

Most Shamanic practices incorporate the individual (Shaman) manipulating the spiritual world on behalf of an individual. Unfortunately, this would be divination. Just because healing might happen, and just because someone is a nice person, it doesn't mean they are a Christian or that the ends justifies the means.

The West tends to take pretty much most spiritual practices from other cultures and 'westernise' it, making it more about techniques etc. than importing the entire worldview. For example, Western Buddhism is really very different to traditional Buddhism. Western practices around things like acupuncture are different too. What someone in the West means by 'Shaman' is probably very different than a true Shaman. However, I would simply never mix some or other spiritual technique or idea with Christianity. The two can't co-exist. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, period. Perhaps there's some science to Shaman practices, I don't know, but I can't see how someone can be both a Christian and a Shaman.

 

[Albion]

It's the old problem with exclusivist world views vs inclusivist world views. Most of Christianity operates upon the premise that world views need to be kept "pure" from all other ideas and influences, and that any exchange with others qualifies as a contamination that needs to be eliminated.

Well, that's not true; however, if the doctrines or practices conflict with the Christian faith, that's another matter.

 

[Hearingheart]

Ah good question! Very thin line to walk here...

It is the occupational responsibility of the shaman to find the most beautiful, loving, healing, wise, and powerful spirits. A shaman knows his spirits intimately and by name. He speaks to them daily and even views them as his alter ego. Hallucinogenic drugs are often part of the ritual in which he interacts with his spirits for guidance. Whenever he has a problem his spirits cannot solve, they summon another spirit that can solve it.

The shaman’s role is to utilize the power of the spirit world to provide complete guidance over the lives of the people in his village, with the goal of making all their lives better. He pursues the best spirits he can find — spirits that will lead the village in all respects, especially health and justice. This means healing the sick and exacting retribution for anyone who dies (all deaths must be avenged). It is impossible to overstate the shaman’s commanding role, for only he possesses the knowledge around which the life of his village revolves.
​

I do not 'practice' shamanism, though I have been called one. Still, among some peoples and cultures, that is the word they use for even a Christian who uses the Holy Spirit for power to assist other's lives whether for health, wisdom, guidance.

The Spirit a 'shaman' seeks guidance from is up to the shaman. The power a shaman uses is up to the shaman. See what I'm saying? I personally do not practice, and don't even do what I could in the purely Christian definition... but I have always advocated for true believers to not shy away from using God's guidance, wisdom and power through the Holy Spirit, for spreading the Gospel! Satan uses what God gave US... he uses it for evil... but Jesus said WE have all this power through Him, through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Satan wins when we account all that to his realm only. A Christian does not use the path to power and wisdom through satan, but through the Holy Spirit. But while others in the world may refer to a Christian using God's power as a shaman, I do not believe a Christian should use that term...

Dr. Jean, Do you have a link to the article you posted from? Or possibly where it can be found? thanks

 

[Hearingheart]

You seem to be asking two different questions here. First, can a Shaman be a Christian? I cannot say, as I do not know enough about the beliefs and practices of a Shaman. Second, is it possible that God reaches peoples whatever their understanding and culture? It seems to me that we are not in a position to limit God's ability to do anything, including reaching people who are not reached by Christian missionaries. Hence, I would say that God can reach people in very different cultures, anywhere at anytime, if He chooses to do so.

Yes, thanks for pointing that out....I do have more than one question there. oops

 

[AservantofGodandthelordJC]

I would like to discuss if someone who believes in God and accepts Jesus Christ could also practice shamanic healing. Don't know if this is against the rule, so if it is, please remove it.

I have seen people be physically and emotionally healed by both Shaman's as well as Christians. I have seen Shaman's exhibit the fruits of the spirit as well as Christians. Is it possible that God reaches people whatever their understanding and culture?

Well, like me, you can believe in the bible and not be Christian. If you are a real Shaman then you know too much to be Christian.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Well, that's not true;

I'd assert that the other replies in this thread demonstrate that it is.
Not every Christian is like that, not every Christian community is like that, and not even every Christian denomination is like that - but it's more of a rule than an exception.

 

[Hearingheart]

I guess it depends on which side of the window you are on. Can something that produces health be deemed evil simply because of the vehicle used?

 

[Hearingheart]

Well, like me, you can believe in the bible and not be Christian. If you are a real Shaman then you know too much to be Christian.

This made me laugh, then I thought "Hmmm"...interesting

 

[Hearingheart]

Shamanism, as a term, does not describe a specific religion but is a catch-all for a range of specific practices found mostly in pre-agrarian cultures (in Siberia, South America etc.). The connecting element between all of the various religions that can be characterized as "Shamanism" is the trance journey, an altered state of consciousness that allows the practitioner to "travel".

So is just semantics? Christians meditate, Shamans trance. Can both be altered states?

The best answer to your question would probably be this:

A shaman would not see anything wrong with embracing a Christian world view (in fact, many Shamans in Siberia consider themselves Orthodox Christians and/or incorporate crosses in their ceremonies), but most non-shaman Christians will adamantly assert that any such "mixing" pollutes the pure faith with horrid non-Christian corruption.

It can be difficult to honestly and openly discuss anything that falls outside of the boundaries that modern Christianity has put around itself.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

There's more than one altered state of consciousness out there (and more than one kind of shamanic trance, while we are at it). I'd say that the state reached by traditional meditation is VERY different from the one most commonly associated with shamanic journeys.