It’s Really Magic
When they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? Isaiah 8:19 NASB
Consult – John Oswalt’s book, The Bible Among the Myths, contains some interesting insights into the essential characteristics of myths and the religions based upon them. We tend to think of myths like fairy tales, but they are far more influential than children’s entertainment. Myths shape the way cultures think about the world, and in this respect, they provide the foundation for human behavior. Oswalt answers the question, “Why are myths so important in human thought?” with the following:
We receive a clue in the observation that myths are tied to the “status quo.” They have two chief concerns: explaining why things are as they are now, and maintaining things as they are now. These concerns spring directly out of the human terror of chaos. We are afraid of chaos because it always destroys our security; and security is perhaps the greatest of all human longings. If we are to gain the security we so desperately want, the first order of the day is some sense of intellectual order. If we can explain why things are as they are, then we have that sense of intellectual order, and we also have the feeling that we know how to relate to the thing explained.[1]
The purpose of a myth is to provide the believer with control. Two things are needed for this to happen. First, I must be connected to all parts of existence. Myths provide this connection by teaching me that what I do in the human world is connected to what happens in the world of nature and the world of the divine. The three are continuous. Second, there must be actions that cause the parts to work together. Therefore, if I can explain a thing in my world, I will know how to control its parallels in the world of nature and the world of the gods. In other words, I will reduce my fear of chaos because my own actions will control existence in the rest of the world. As an example, I can control the prosperity I desire because my actions (like daily sacrifices) have direct effects on the divine world and will cause the gods to bless me. If I want to insure my ultimate security, I will do things in this world that will cause God to guarantee my status in the next world. I will say the right prayer, attend the right church, believe the right doctrine, show the right amount of compassion, etc. My acts will have direct consequences in the spiritual world and therefore guarantee that I will achieve my desired goal, namely, being eternally secure in heaven.
As you have no doubt realized, all of this, including the examples from the contemporary religious sphere, are about magic. We might substitute prayers for incantations and tithes for spells but the motivation and expected operation is the same. By doing x we cause God to do y. In this way, we control the divine. We force God to do what we desire because we think that there is a direct continuous connection between us and God. Perhaps the most terrifying example of this form of religious magic today is the belief that Allah will guarantee my entrance into Paradise if and only if I sacrifice myself in an act of martyrdom that kills infidels.
Does the Tanakh teach this kind of religious magic? That’s an important question. A cursory reading of the text might suggest this, but if we look below our own paradigmatic interpretation, we discover that God is not continuous with the creation. He is not essentially part of what He has made. Therefore, while He may choose to be involved, He is not required to be involved. As a result, my actions do not control Him. God is never forced to do what I wish simply because I act in a certain way. I do not serve God because I will get something out of it. I serve Him because He is God. It is not about me! The Tanakh does not teach a magical view of the world in spite of the fact that I might wish it did. In the end, it’s about what God chooses to do, not about what I obligate Him to do.
With that in mind, you might ask yourself, “How much of my behavior is based on the myth that my actions will make God do something for me?”
Topical Index: magic, myth, consult, darash, inquire, Isaiah 8:19
[1] John Oswalt, The Bible Among the Myths, p. 49.
I use to read the “Blessing & Cursings” this way, don’t do ___ in order to get ‘x’ out of the equation. Exp: “If you do Torah God will bless you and if you don’t then you will be cursed. In essence by doing something you will motivate God to act one way or another.” .
The new way that I look at this is it’s more on the lines of Torah is listing natural laws if you will. It is inevitable by the laws of nature that if you do not do Torah there will be curses & blessings. Anything else is really just an outlier and not in the standard deviation of life.
Example: don’t set apart Sabbath? You will feel burnt out at some point in time. Have a dysfunctional marriage, future generations will be dysfunctional (generational curses). Be in the midst of strife your whole life, you’ll never find peace. Never humble yourself to your peers when you do wrong, you won’t have friends. Don’t care about boundaries and respect – burn bridges and people will trust you to confine in things. Don’t learn gratitude – you’ll be a black whole of needyness and never having enough.
All of these things will naturally occur. With that said, it may not happen immediately, heck it may not happen at all, but that’s more of an anomaly then a natural occurrence. Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. If that weren’t the case then it would eliminate free will.
At the end you serve God and He is trying to give wisdom on how to live a life connected to Him. I think you make the choice to do it or you don’t but it would be hard to deny that there are blessing and curses in this life and if not in this life for your future generations and the circle of relationships that you have. Or is that still, “magic”?
Derek, consequences are not magic. Blessings and curses are just the natural consequences. I think magic would be a break in natural consequences, which you explained very well for me. I really like what you said. Thank you!
I am convinced that the unrenewed mind is, essentially, insane. If there is not already a myth out there that provides me with some sort of explanation that gives me a way to, like Skip says, alter an outcome, or think that I can, my mind will make one up. I have caught it doing it! Indeed, if my mind does not have a way to think that it understands enough to make a decision, it will freeze. Then I feel helpless, which is the ultimate form of disfunction. To avoid feeling helpless, the human will grasp at anything, I believe, even if they know it is just made up. Why? Because helpless terror is what a prey animal feels just before it dies. Can’t have that! So, the mythmakers have always had a ready audience.
In false religions, god is just an extension of the human; a glorified human, if you will. Even Allah is capricious and willful and susceptible to the weaknesses we exhibit, as exemplified by the basis Mohammed gives for some of his decisions and behavior. The unrenewed mind has no way to comprehend the Other because I think the unrenewed mind is a closed circuit that cannot escape itself. Myth, therefore, is the way we attempt to extend ourselves outward into the cosmos and inwards into the understanding of who we are, but, because the natural human mind revolves around itself as the ultimate basis for knowing, it has no way to connect with the Other, leaving it terrified of all Other, including the vast unknown inside its own unconscious. This essential disconnect is why the basis of the unrenewed mind is pure terror, and that terror is the basis of our need to control what we find we are disconnected from. We cannot think or rationalize our way out of this place, either. I think myth is our recognition that it takes something beyond human reason to satisfy the need of human reason to connect with what it does not understand, but myth, because it is STILL made up by that human, is still an illusion. The greatest philosophers, I think, all came to understand the tendency of the human mind toward illusion as the only way it had to try to escape itself, but they had no way to get around that illusion.
To the little extent that I have attempted to study myths, I have seen that they do, indeed, exert a powerful influence over the human mind; mostly the subconscious, which is more instinctive and susceptible to the decisions of the conscious mind (somebody please correct me, here), but power does not equal change. Myths can and do alter our essential terror, or even transform it, but they have no power to erase it, or to replace it with what we really need, which is peace. The only way I am going to quit being terrified is to obtain enough information to make a decision that really connects me with the Other; with what I did not understand before.
Fear is simply my mind’s way of realizing that it missing essential pieces of data with which to make choices. I have to understand the cosmos, as well as myself and God, before I know how to move. That is the data that was missing. That understanding is also where the terror ceases and I am no longer stuck. Deliverance from that place where there is no way to choose correctly about relationships is, essentially, where the Truth shows up and plugs in the missing data, therefore providing a true ram in the thicket for me. The choices of sin put me in places that require the sacrifice of my life to satisfy the consequences of those choices. I made those choices based on beliefs that were not true. I need that truth to give me better ways to choose! Salvation is the missing truth I need. Salvation is where I am given a way back out. The truth that I really need is to know is that Someone died for me, thus giving me a new chance to start again. Halleluah!
It would seem that Genesis would tell us that, basically, there are 2 laws that the creation runs on. Authority, of which there is 2 kinds, over the heavens (true authority) and under the heavens (the “instead of” authority) and measure for measure, as in producing after it’s kind, which isn’t equal to the effort given but returns to us in spades. I wonder what would happen if we were more interested in those laws and the working out of them than in what we believe as doctrines and “religious truth”. I’m glad we live under grace and the doors of measure for measure are only opened with a measure of that grace, it would seem there’s a time coming that the doors will be flung wide open. Meanwhile, humility and gratefulness seem to be the word of the day.
Wow, Skip. YHVH used your (electronic) voice today to confirm and illuminate what we should be doing tomorrow at our new, tiny Torah-observant, trying-to-love fellowship. We have a man there who is determined to push a certain doctrine… out of love and concern for us. Pushing doctrine = division. Humbly seeking God’s true Word and Message for us as His Servants = unity. That is the message that we want to bring tomorrow. Please pray that all of us who have been plucked, by God, out of orthodox Christianity, will face each other and the world with transparency and a real desire to serve our Creator, not ourselves. Oh how we need to learn to do (c)hesed.
Skip, we appreciate how YHVH uses you all over the world, brother, especially in our own homes. Thank you for your boldness but also your efforts to learn more and more every day about how to live humbly. It looks different in each unique personality; humility doesn’t mean milquetoast. Milquetoast never helped anybody.
I am glad to be useful to you. Would you mind telling me where you are in the USA? I have lots of people who feel very isolated and are desperate to find real communities.
Yes, many of us live very isolated-from-true-fellowship lives.
I’m Ric’s wife; you two have spoken on the phone and we’ve met a couple of times (once in Sandpoint ID and once in Seattle where you spoke.) We are in Republic WA and are acquaintances of “Kelli and Kinsey” in Spokane. We are seriously considering moving to Colville WA, 1 1/2 hrs north of Spokane, where this new fellowship is.
Hi, we just moved to Colville WA from Vancouver, WA a week ago. We would be interested in connecting with you or those meeting together. Not sure how to do this in this blog thing and exchanging information. Skip’s writing daily impacts my thoughts and heart for God.
My spirit just leaped for joy at the possibility of family meeting each other for the first time Blessed be YHVH! My wife and I left SW Washington at Fathers direction and are in the Sierra Mountains between Sacramento and Tahoe on Hwy 80 hungry for fellowship face to face. If you Skip or anyone else know of other sheep in the area please feel free to let us know Shalom Shabat Shalom
Hello Bruce if you aren’t on facebook you can also contact us through email pam@roadsideministries.net
Bruce, We are part of a small home fellowship that meets in the Colfax/Grass Valley/Nevada City area and we would very interested in having you contacting us. Shabbat Shalom Brother. https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Gold%20Country%20Sukkot%202016
Bruce, How interesting! We have a “beach hut” on the Long Beach WA peninsula (southwest WA) that we are selling to a friend of ours in order to make this transition to Colville “cleaner” financially. I wish we had met before you left!
Daria and Ric: as I said what joy what unspeakable joy How good it is for brothers Family to dwell in unity, Who may approach the Holy Hill of YHVH, we who have clean hands and a pure heart, we rejoice with you also. We were in Kalama Wa from 97 till 3/14 When YHVH said you are going to the mountains, and it has been about trusting obedience, TRUTH of Yeshua and sanctifying faith. Truly as you expressed the mutual encouragement,in face to face communion that is what we seek along the pilgrim’s journey. Baruch Hashem
OH MY GOSH! Jeff, his wife, the other brothers and sisters in our gathering, Ric and I are JUMPING OUT OF OUR SIN IN JOY! We all came together on Shabbat yesterday at our glorious little fellowship (it’s a 3-hr roundtrip over-a-mountain-pass jaunt for us and, because I am very sick with chronic Lyme Disease, I get super wiped out; yet, this fellowship and the move is sure to help in healing!) YHVH’s touch on His people as we submit, more and more, to His True Word (with the help of amazing teachers like Skip… we have at least 3 families now [at our tiny fellowship] who are here at Today’s Word, and NONE OF US knew the others!) brings more healing and joy and a sense of belonging that I can’t describe.
The timing of God bringing Jeff to us YESTERDAY was so obviously supernatural… we had come to a place in our little group where we had to “get real” with what could have turned out to be an injurious battle over doctrine. Jeff’s profession helped him to help us make sense of what was happening, and he spoke out tenderly as a vessel… God used him! Oh how beautiful it was and everybody felt LOVE in that room last evening. Praise YHVH forever!
Skip, I (or someone from our group) would LOVE to tell the story of how this MIRACLE of our group came together as a Shabbat family (Ric and I were feeling as tho we were “withering on the vine” without like-minded, Torah-loving, seeking servants). I think it would be encouraging to so very many others here who are isolated and without brothers and sisters who want to learn (c)hesed. Where would be a good place to put a post like that?
While I believe my wife meant to say we are jumping out of our “Skin” perhaps her comment that we are “jumping out of our sin” can also be appied!
Thank you, Daria, for sharing this amazing testimony! Our ABBA works in amazing ways, blessing as we wait upon Him! This would a good place to post such testimonies!! We need to be encouraged too.
May I introduce you to a wonderful testimony of healing from Lyme disease by two medical doctors- Richard P Brown M.D and Patricia L Gerbarg M.D. A husband and wife team who shared their healing journey in a book they co-authored-
“The Rhodiola Revolution: Transform Your Health with the Herbal Breakthrough of the 21st Century.” Available on Kindle @ $.9.64 Amazon. Dr, Patricia thought she had Alzheimer but discovered Lyme instead. She lost her memory almost completely, until her husband recommended her to Rhodiola Rosea which she took for 10 days and fully recovered her health to continue her medical career WITH alternate medication instead of solely drugs! HalleluYAH! And went on to research on the herb to discover its amazing healing powers, to share in the book. I heard them on Alzheimer’s Webinar interviews.
Blessing you with ABBA’s healing. Shalom!
Thank you, Ester, for the Rhodiola information. My husband, Ray, has lyme disease also. We will try it! Thank YHVH.
Amein, to total healing for your husband Ray, Orli, through alternative medicine with herbs from ABBA our Creator!
(Orli, as in My Light- pointing to YHWH! Lovely name)
Shalom to you!
So here is the kicker to this amazing Grace. Your tiny fellowship has it’s beginnings with Ron and Jan Gibson meeting in our home with my husband Ron and myself for a bible study in the Torah portions nearly 11 years ago.
Hey Skip. This little fellowship began in our home nearly 11 years ago in the Grass Valley/Nevada City area of CA. The forum is simple. Acts. 2:42 Fellowship/food, prayer, Midrash (Torah and Haftorah portions) + NT application, praise and worship. This Coleville fellowship began with our sister and brother Ron and Jan Gibson who went out from us to bring this model to the Northport WA area 3 years ago. We are so excited to see what YHVH is doing in both our fellowships right now.
‘Beautiful’ word. LIKE!! Milquetoast definition, a very timid, unassertive, spineless person, especially one who is easily dominated or intimidated: a milquetoast who’s afraid to ask for a raise.
New word learned today! Thank you, Daria. Shalom!
Ester, I hope this new word gives your courage today! Get in there and ask for that raise!
(Smile) That person won’t be me, Daria. My strength comes from ABBA, learning through many difficult situations since childhood. These days I encourage women to be strong to stand for what they believe- in ABBA’s ways! But thank you for that “push”. Love your strength too, and cheerfulness. Shalom!
Being secured of a place in His Kingdom, would, of a certainty, be a priority with me, but it won’t be my first priority. My first priority would be to live the way He sees fit, which is so sensible to me. Everything else is chaotic and upside down to the standards He has set down for mankind.
There is a fine line as to WHEN and What is expected of us, to be passive- “I can bite my tongue and allow you to assert your convictions….” (as David Russell expressed so well in the previous Post) , or, to stand for what one believes in, (can’t have that taken from us) but ever so politely and respectfully.
This is precisely what the Tanakh means that we CANNOT work our way into His heart, or Kingdom, IF His ways are not a part of our transformed being/nature. Therefore faith must come with works, of righteousness/uprightness, purity of heart. Definitely not through incantations, repetitious “prayers”.
We are required to know what He delights in, as Who He is.
Shalom to new beginnings, new paradigms!
Well put, Ester. Thank you. Praise God for the paradigm shift that has taken place and continues to align me/us more and more to His Word, His Ways, our willingness in humility.
In the article: It’s Really Magic” John Oswalt says…”God…is not required to be involved.” In His obligational covenant with Abraham wherein He swore by His own NAME, He obligated Himself to keep every promise. When He tells us that if we obey He will bless us or curse us if we do not obey, does that not involve and obligate Him? He cannot and will not break His word to us. On the other hand, of course we should never keep our obligations to Him just to “push His Holy buttons” but only out of love for Him. But I still believe that His word proclaims that He, by His own word, is required to be involved because He has proclaimed it so.
Hi Orli! (Dear Family: Orli is part of our Family in physical fellowship in Colville!)
Nice to see you here. Is this your first time at “Today’s Word?”
Hello Daria, yes this is my first time. I usually don’t involve myself in internet chats. So glad you and Ric are meeting with us. See you Shabbat!