One of the biggest businesses in America is
astrology. There are over 175,000 part-time astrologers, and 10,000
full-time. And over 2,000 newspapers carry daily horoscopes. The popularity
of astrology is everywhere, with astrological signs on T-shirts, coffee cups
and jewelry. Now we have those Television commercials of 1-800 and 1-900
numbers with quick astrological counsel. Something this popular naturally
leads to questions. With common sense, and with faith in God's Word, there
are some answers:
1. Why should the current revival of
interest in the occult and astrology cause us concern?
The respectability and credibility so many
people are giving to the occult and to astrology should alarm us for at
least two reasons: (1) Because of what the Bible says about sorcery (Gal.
5:20 and Rev. 21:8), and (2) It is a troubling fact of history, that
outbreaks of occultism frequently accompany the collapse of a civilization;
one example is, the Roman Empire. [From the Seattle Daily Times, Sept. 8,
1975 - "History has shown that astrology thrives best in times of religious
decline and of social unrest."
2. What is astrology?
It operates on the premise that the
destinies of nations and individuals are determined by the relative
positions of the stars and planets. This information and the guidance one
seeks is allegedly available through the charts drawn up by professional
astrologers. [Astronomy is not the same as astrology. Astronomy is the
objective, scientific study of the stars and planets, with a view toward
understanding their motion and relation; NOT with a view toward their
alleged influence on human conduct!
3. Is astrology upheld by scientists?
No! In 1975, a statement endorsed by 186
prominent scientists challenged "the pretentious claims of astrological
charlatans." The Associated Press report of this went on to say: "There is
simply no scientific basis for astrology, which deals with the presumed
influences of stars, planets and other heavenly bodies on human affairs..,"
(Wichita Eagle, Sept. 3, 1975).
4. But isn't it true that astrologers have
made some amazing predictions that turned out to be true?
No! In May of 1974, the Reader's Digest
reported on a survey of the predictions made by the three most popular
British astrologers in one year. Of these three popular astrologers, the
"TOP ACHIEVER" was right only 12 times out of 30. The third "seer" had only
4 correct guesses out of 30 tries. Further, some of their "visions" are only
educated predictions, based on currently available data. Thus, they do not
have an impressive track record.
5. Where did astrology come from?
According to the Bible, it came from the
eastern, idolatrous nations. God warned His people about this influence (see Deut. 4:19; 17:2, 3, 5; 18:9-12; Isa. 2:6; 47:13, 14).
6. Are the concepts and messages of
astrology cohesive and united?
Astrology is an strange, divided, "mixed
bag" of conflicting messages. Check what your astrological message is for
today as it reads in four or five different charts; see if you can discern a
unified message.
7. What has God said about all this?
"And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to
heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of
heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your
God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage ...
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God ... To you it was
shown, that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other
besides Him," (Deut. 4:19, 24, 35).
"You are wearied in the multitude of your
counsels; let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly
prognosticators stand up and save you from these things that shall come upon
you. Behold, they shall be as stubble, the fire shall burn them; they shall
not deliver themselves from the power of the flame; it shall not be a coal
to be warmed by, nor a fire to sit before," (Isa. 47:13,14).
8. Are there New Testament passages that
relate to this interest in the occult and sorcery?
Galatians 5:20 affirms that "sorcery" is a
work of the flesh. The King James has the word "witchcraft," which is from
the Greek, PHARMAKEIA. The word means charms, remedies, or guidance sought
in drugs, incantations, star gazing and sorcery. Vines says, of PHARMAKEIA:
"...primarily signified the use of medicine, drugs, spells; then, poisoning;
then, sorcery ... In sorcery, the use of drugs, whether simple or potent,
was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers ..."
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable,
murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have
their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death," (Rev. 21:8).
The Ephesians had been involved in things
in the category of sorcery, but when they obeyed the gospel they burned
their incantation books (Acts 19:18-20).
9. Is astrology a type of revelation from
God?
No! "God, who at various times and in
different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in
these last days spoken to us BY HIS SON...," (Heb. 1:1,2; see, Eph.
3:1-5; Jude 3).
10. Who must we turn to for the guidance we
need?
THE LORD, who is "wonderful in counsel and
excellent in guidance," (Isa. 28:29). To those involved in astrology,
my admonition would be: "Behold, you are trusting in deceptive words to no
avail," (Jer. 7:8).
