Christians and the supernatural

[mindlight]

My pastor has scheduled me to lead a discussion group in our church. For our session, I chose the above theme. Perhaps you can help me prepare for this.

As Christians, we have a supernatural faith in a secular age. We believe in the resurrection in an age that accepts death as the ultimate boundary. We take an eternal perspective through momentary troubles and sufferings. We believe in angels and demons and the literal personal devil. Yet we allow psychologists to explain possession or demonic influence in terms that do not actually contribute anything to a person's healing.

There is a growing interest in the supernatural in the culture at large. There is a resuscitation of pagan themes on Netflix and even of the pagan gods. People read horror scopes and play with ouija boards channel spirit guides etc How should we as Christians be responding to these challenges.

CS Lewis phrased a similar discussion of this theme in the Screwtape letters like this:

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.“ -C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters

Do you have any useful suggestions for how to guide this discussion. 10-minute youtube links would be appreciated.

Which bible verses would you focus on (Ephesisans 6 - spiritual warfare is my text at moment)

How do you see the relationship between biblical understandings of demons and mental health issues. Between a biblical view and modern psychiatry.

 

[Dave G.]

Put on the whole armor of God, this can be good for a good part of discussion. Understanding that there are "other spirits" and those are not of God. I always suggest opening and closing in prayer no matter the topic, keep it Christ centered right up front.

Is this a single session discussion or multi sessions to follow ? If multi you can give an overview in the start up discussion time allotted. My experience with leading such groups is time can really get away from you, so be sure to hit the bullet points lol ! Obviously the very term discussion means multi people speaking and giving views and some folks get real windy... But I can tell from your post here you will do great, I see why the pastor has you leading this !

 

[tturt]

Also, ""He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." I John 3:8 Jesus said "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." II Cor 2:11

A couple of examples of spiritual tactics - "..for their minds have been blinded by the god of this age, leaving them in unbelief. Their blindness keeps them from seeing the dayspring light of the wonderful news of the glory of Jesus Christ, who is the divine image of God." II Cor 4:4 Also, we're told hundreds of times, fear not.

Did God really say? continues today.

Tempt: just as he did with Adam and Eve - used all 3 from I John 2 with them (Gen 3) "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

 

[com7fy8]

Yet we allow psychologists to explain possession or demonic influence in terms that do not actually contribute anything to a person's healing.

I read an article in a publication of psychology, which said that medications can not cure a personality problem. I understand that the character of our personality is spiritual, therefore out of reach of physical drugs. So, I can see why physical medication does not cure a personality's character problem that is spiritual.

Only God is able to cure our character from being about ourselves, to being like Jesus and so pleasing to our Father. And only the character of Christ is almighty to keep us immune so we are not overcome by cruel and anti-love things like worry and fear and lusts and boredom and loneliness and unforgiveness > as it is written, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (in Philippians 4:6-7)

There is a growing interest in the supernatural in the culture at large. There is a resuscitation of pagan themes on Netflix and even of the pagan gods. People read horror scopes and play with ouija boards channel spirit guides etc How should we as Christians be responding to these challenges.

First, seek God's kingdom. Do not be decoyed with only or mainly giving attention to outward activities of foolish people. But concentrate on first submitting to God so we are corrected into the character of Jesus in ourselves, and so we are discovering how God has us sharing with Him and one another as His family.

And this will help to keep us from being effected by evil things . . . any and all wrong things . . . not only certain occult items that we can see.

Jesus says a person needs to "deny himself", in Luke 9:23. So, I see it is possible how ones can give all their attention to denying the devil and his things . . . instead of doing what Jesus means by denying myself! First do what we need, with God, and He will have us doing what we need to do, to deal with Satan and his kingdom.

Do you have any useful suggestions for how to guide this discussion. 10-minute youtube links would be appreciated.

I have done about thirteen minutes about our calling to obey God in His peace. I would say this is a basic to being able to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). You have my permission to show less than thirteen minutes of the video > search with "p1QCRyQztLc", so you get the exact video with the title of "obey God in His peace".

Which bible verses would you focus on (Ephesisans 6 - spiritual warfare is my text at moment)

The main thing about warfare is a country needs to stay healthy and strong. In order to be healthy as the bride of Christ, as God's one "holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9) > obey God in His peace almighty which protects us, and share as His family in His love which has almighty immunity against fear (1 John 4:18) > this is basic to warfare against Satan and his kingdom. And in the ruling of His love and joy and peace, He guides us what to do to war against Satan's kingdom . . . while offering our example of how to be family and healthy.

We win by means of good example. Our example can win sinners > 1 Peter 3:1-4 is an example of how example can work. So, in order to defeat Satan's kingdom in the way which helps sinners to be saved, we need to live in all the good and benefit of God's kingdom and being family, so the example of this can be spread by God to change evil people into loving and caring people who are pleasing to our Father like Jesus is so pleasing > sweetly pleasing while being all-loving, the way Jesus on the cross is our example >

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

I have been told how American soldiers would win captured Nazi soldiers to help the Allies. They would not torture the prisoners of war, but be good to them and show them how American democracy was right so the Nazi soldiers could see that Germany was wrong and they needed to help the Allies. This, by the way, could show what is God's perfect revenge . . . not merely to put evil people in hell, but to win them to become His adopted children, including so now they not only do not do evil, but also are helping to stop it. The perfect revenge, then, is not to just make wrong people suffer, but to win them to Jesus so evil can't use them, anymore.

How do you see the relationship between biblical understandings of demons and mental health issues. Between a biblical view and modern psychiatry.

Speaking for our own selves > why do we have mental and personality problems, and failure in our relating? We can deeply suffer because of how we do not obey how our Father says to relate in His love. We excuse ourselves to worry and complain and argue; and in this stuff we are weak enough to suffer deeply and give in to doing wrong things.

And we give in to driving our own selves to do things - - depending on our own ability to get ourselves to will and to do things, versus depending on how God works our wills and our activities so we succeed >

"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

As much as we depend on our own ability, including of our own wills, what we try does not work because it is not what works! And in the weakness of our self-driving, we can suffer stress and burnout and worry and giving in to pleasures which are cruel in comparison with the absolute eternal goodness and kindness of our Father's love. In self-dependant stuff, we can deeply suffer so we are desperate to feel some pleasure to make us feel nicer; but no amount of physical pleasure and adrenaline rush stuff can make the character of sin go away. Nor can any amount of medical methods and substances. Whether we medicate ourselves with pleasures, or others medicate us however . . . only God is able to change our character to become immune to cruel and sin-sick emotions and feelings and their thinking and imagining.

And Hebrews 12:4-14 encourages us to seek how God alone is able to deeply correct and cure our character, so we share with Him in His holiness in His love's "peaceable fruit of righteousness".

And we have Jesus praying for us, according to His faith; and the Holy Spirit is making intercession for us. Romans 8:34, Romans 8:26. Plus, we pray for one another. So, our prayer warfare is not dependent only or mainly on our own praying! And the focus of prayer needs to be first to all we can have and share with God, so we are more and more like Christ so pleasing to our Father > consider our Lord's prayer in John 17; He does not mainly concern His attention with dealing with evil, but with all we can share with God.

So, in our warfare we do not waste ourselves and our resources on fighting, but we are delighting in the LORD This worked with David > 1 Samuel chapter 30. When tragedy came against David, crying and angry reacting did not work; but David got encouraged with the LORD, then did precisely what the LORD told him to do, and that worked. And after their great victory, he did not merely reward certain people, but he had them share as family; he was about ruling in our Father's family caring and sharing way.

 

[Nathan@work]

My pastor has scheduled me to lead a discussion group in our church. For our session, I chose the above theme. Perhaps you can help me prepare for this.

As Christians, we have a supernatural faith in a secular age. We believe in the resurrection in an age that accepts death as the ultimate boundary. We take an eternal perspective through momentary troubles and sufferings. We believe in angels and demons and the literal personal devil. Yet we allow psychologists to explain possession or demonic influence in terms that do not actually contribute anything to a person's healing.

There is a growing interest in the supernatural in the culture at large. There is a resuscitation of pagan themes on Netflix and even of the pagan gods. People read horror scopes and play with ouija boards channel spirit guides etc How should we as Christians be responding to these challenges.

CS Lewis phrased a similar discussion of this theme in the Screwtape letters like this:

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.“ -C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters

Do you have any useful suggestions for how to guide this discussion. 10-minute youtube links would be appreciated.

Which bible verses would you focus on (Ephesisans 6 - spiritual warfare is my text at moment)

How do you see the relationship between biblical understandings of demons and mental health issues. Between a biblical view and modern psychiatry.

I would add one more thing to Lewis statement.

What I would see the issue with all the 'gods' you see on TV/movies and such is the numbness that comes from it.

Not a disbelief, or excessive interest, but a 'eh....it's just a movie.....it ain't real.....'. That leads to a hardness of heart toward that which is unseen.

As far as guiding the discussion, I would tackle it in a logical approach. If this - then that. I have always felt that discussions are best when questions are asked. If your just throwing information at them, it has become a sermon, not a discussion.

Little questions don't count. They need to be the ones that make the brain think hard.

There are numerous examples of supernatural events in the Bible. Most of them have a good lesson and something to learn behind them.

 

[bèlla]

Yet we allow psychologists to explain possession or demonic influence in terms that do not actually contribute anything to a person's healing.

Mental illness can create false experiences that appear supernatural. We see threads on this all the time. It's important to rule them out and distinguish between the two. Everything we perceive as supernatural isn't always so. We can be wrong.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

 

[Maria Billingsley]

My pastor has scheduled me to lead a discussion group in our church. For our session, I chose the above theme. Perhaps you can help me prepare for this.

As Christians, we have a supernatural faith in a secular age. We believe in the resurrection in an age that accepts death as the ultimate boundary. We take an eternal perspective through momentary troubles and sufferings. We believe in angels and demons and the literal personal devil. Yet we allow psychologists to explain possession or demonic influence in terms that do not actually contribute anything to a person's healing.

There is a growing interest in the supernatural in the culture at large. There is a resuscitation of pagan themes on Netflix and even of the pagan gods. People read horror scopes and play with ouija boards channel spirit guides etc How should we as Christians be responding to these challenges.

CS Lewis phrased a similar discussion of this theme in the Screwtape letters like this:

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.“ -C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters

Do you have any useful suggestions for how to guide this discussion. 10-minute youtube links would be appreciated.

Which bible verses would you focus on (Ephesisans 6 - spiritual warfare is my text at moment)

How do you see the relationship between biblical understandings of demons and mental health issues. Between a biblical view and modern psychiatry.

The supernatural is both good and bad. The "KEY" to this subject matter is discernment. Before anyone believes or participates in a supernatural event they must discern the spirit.
Spiritual warfare isn't always the reason our lives are in disarray. In most cases it is quenching the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, disobedience and no repentance from sin thus resulting in consequences made by our own doing.
"The devill did it " is a crutch IMO. In fact Satan comes as an angel of light. He is a deciever and tempter. Satanic possession is rare and should not be equated to mental illness furthermore, a born again Christian can not be possessed.
If you are going to dive into Satanic possession you better be prepared for the responsibility that goes with it. The vulnerable and weak in faith will fall into a stumbling block. Sorry, I do have strong opions when dealing with such matters. Tread carefully. Be blessed.

 

[Jake Arsenal]

My pastor has scheduled me to lead a discussion group in our church. For our session, I chose the above theme. Perhaps you can help me prepare for this.

As Christians, we have a supernatural faith in a secular age. We believe in the resurrection in an age that accepts death as the ultimate boundary. We take an eternal perspective through momentary troubles and sufferings. We believe in angels and demons and the literal personal devil. Yet we allow psychologists to explain possession or demonic influence in terms that do not actually contribute anything to a person's healing.

There is a growing interest in the supernatural in the culture at large. There is a resuscitation of pagan themes on Netflix and even of the pagan gods. People read horror scopes and play with ouija boards channel spirit guides etc How should we as Christians be responding to these challenges.

CS Lewis phrased a similar discussion of this theme in the Screwtape letters like this:

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.“ -C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters

Do you have any useful suggestions for how to guide this discussion. 10-minute youtube links would be appreciated.

Which bible verses would you focus on (Ephesisans 6 - spiritual warfare is my text at moment)

How do you see the relationship between biblical understandings of demons and mental health issues. Between a biblical view and modern psychiatry.

I recommend using caution in attributing ailments to evil spirts. That is not to say that illness is never caused by evil spirits, but oversimplifying anything is dangerous. For instance, Deuteronomy 28:58-61 could be interpreted to mean that many diseases and illnesses are the result of sin, but John 9:3 shows that not all maladies are the result of sin.
(Exodus 23:25-27, Hosea 9:14, Job 21, Leviticus 26:14-16, Leviticus 26:25, etc.)

Rather than studying evil spirits, I would recommend studying Scriptures regarding healing.

 

[mindlight]

Put on the whole armor of God, this can be good for a good part of discussion. Understanding that there are "other spirits" and those are not of God. I always suggest opening and closing in prayer no matter the topic, keep it Christ centered right up front.

Is this a single session discussion or multi sessions to follow ? If multi you can give an overview in the start up discussion time allotted. My experience with leading such groups is time can really get away from you, so be sure to hit the bullet points lol ! Obviously the very term discussion means multi people speaking and giving views and some folks get real windy... But I can tell from your post here you will do great, I see why the pastor has you leading this !

Thanks. Yes praying before and after is right

Ephesians 6 is winning thus far

I will lead a lot of sessions on different topical themes

 

[mindlight]

Also, ""He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." I John 3:8 Jesus said "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." II Cor 2:11

A couple of examples of spiritual tactics - "..for their minds have been blinded by the god of this age, leaving them in unbelief. Their blindness keeps them from seeing the dayspring light of the wonderful news of the glory of Jesus Christ, who is the divine image of God." II Cor 4:4 Also, we're told hundreds of times, fear not.

Did God really say? continues today.

Tempt: just as he did with Adam and Eve - used all 3 from I John 2 with them (Gen 3) "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

Discussing this with my daughter just now echoed the verses you chose

The devil steals and destroys, Jesus brings life

We should not be blind to the devil's tactics, nor afraid. He tries to make us doubt Gods words and promises. He uses the lusts of the flesh and pride of life to blind us to God.

 

[mindlight]

I read an article in a publication of psychology, which said that medications can not cure a personality problem. I understand that the character of our personality is spiritual, therefore out of reach of physical drugs. So, I can see why physical medication does not cure a personality's character problem that is spiritual.

Only God is able to cure our character from being about ourselves, to being like Jesus and so pleasing to our Father. And only the character of Christ is almighty to keep us immune so we are not overcome by cruel and anti-love things like worry and fear and lusts and boredom and loneliness and unforgiveness > as it is written, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (in Philippians 4:6-7)
First, seek God's kingdom. Do not be decoyed with only or mainly giving attention to outward activities of foolish people. But concentrate on first submitting to God so we are corrected into the character of Jesus in ourselves, and so we are discovering how God has us sharing with Him and one another as His family.

And this will help to keep us from being effected by evil things . . . any and all wrong things . . . not only certain occult items that we can see.

Jesus says a person needs to "deny himself", in Luke 9:23. So, I see it is possible how ones can give all their attention to denying the devil and his things . . . instead of doing what Jesus means by denying myself! First do what we need, with God, and He will have us doing what we need to do, to deal with Satan and his kingdom.

I have done about thirteen minutes about our calling to obey God in His peace. I would say this is a basic to being able to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). You have my permission to show less than thirteen minutes of the video > search with "p1QCRyQztLc", so you get the exact video with the title of "obey God in His peace".

The main thing about warfare is a country needs to stay healthy and strong. In order to be healthy as the bride of Christ, as God's one "holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9) > obey God in His peace almighty which protects us, and share as His family in His love which has almighty immunity against fear (1 John 4:18) > this is basic to warfare against Satan and his kingdom. And in the ruling of His love and joy and peace, He guides us what to do to war against Satan's kingdom . . . while offering our example of how to be family and healthy.

We win by means of good example. Our example can win sinners > 1 Peter 3:1-4 is an example of how example can work. So, in order to defeat Satan's kingdom in the way which helps sinners to be saved, we need to live in all the good and benefit of God's kingdom and being family, so the example of this can be spread by God to change evil people into loving and caring people who are pleasing to our Father like Jesus is so pleasing > sweetly pleasing while being all-loving, the way Jesus on the cross is our example >

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

I have been told how American soldiers would win captured Nazi soldiers to help the Allies. They would not torture the prisoners of war, but be good to them and show them how American democracy was right so the Nazi soldiers could see that Germany was wrong and they needed to help the Allies. This, by the way, could show what is God's perfect revenge . . . not merely to put evil people in hell, but to win them to become His adopted children, including so now they not only do not do evil, but also are helping to stop it. The perfect revenge, then, is not to just make wrong people suffer, but to win them to Jesus so evil can't use them, anymore.

Speaking for our own selves > why do we have mental and personality problems, and failure in our relating? We can deeply suffer because of how we do not obey how our Father says to relate in His love. We excuse ourselves to worry and complain and argue; and in this stuff we are weak enough to suffer deeply and give in to doing wrong things.

And we give in to driving our own selves to do things - - depending on our own ability to get ourselves to will and to do things, versus depending on how God works our wills and our activities so we succeed >

"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

As much as we depend on our own ability, including of our own wills, what we try does not work because it is not what works! And in the weakness of our self-driving, we can suffer stress and burnout and worry and giving in to pleasures which are cruel in comparison with the absolute eternal goodness and kindness of our Father's love. In self-dependant stuff, we can deeply suffer so we are desperate to feel some pleasure to make us feel nicer; but no amount of physical pleasure and adrenaline rush stuff can make the character of sin go away. Nor can any amount of medical methods and substances. Whether we medicate ourselves with pleasures, or others medicate us however . . . only God is able to change our character to become immune to cruel and sin-sick emotions and feelings and their thinking and imagining.

And Hebrews 12:4-14 encourages us to seek how God alone is able to deeply correct and cure our character, so we share with Him in His holiness in His love's "peaceable fruit of righteousness".

And we have Jesus praying for us, according to His faith; and the Holy Spirit is making intercession for us. Romans 8:34, Romans 8:26. Plus, we pray for one another. So, our prayer warfare is not dependent only or mainly on our own praying! And the focus of prayer needs to be first to all we can have and share with God, so we are more and more like Christ so pleasing to our Father > consider our Lord's prayer in John 17; He does not mainly concern His attention with dealing with evil, but with all we can share with God.

So, in our warfare we do not waste ourselves and our resources on fighting, but we are delighting in the LORD This worked with David > 1 Samuel chapter 30. When tragedy came against David, crying and angry reacting did not work; but David got encouraged with the LORD, then did precisely what the LORD told him to do, and that worked. And after their great victory, he did not merely reward certain people, but he had them share as family; he was about ruling in our Father's family caring and sharing way.

That was a long reply with a lot of meat. They may come fascinated by the occult and supernatural powers but I want them to leave with Gods peace in their hearts. But this is not a preach - teach session. Character and obedience to God are fundamental to peoples experience of the occult and the brokeness that it leaves. Mental health is undoubtedly undermined by affiliation to the wrong spirits, poor choices and weak character. Mercy triumphs over judgment as Germany today bears witness. I will reread your post later.Not sure that is the correct you tube for this

 

[mindlight]

I would add one more thing to Lewis statement.

What I would see the issue with all the 'gods' you see on TV/movies and such is the numbness that comes from it.

Not a disbelief, or excessive interest, but a 'eh....it's just a movie.....it ain't real.....'. That leads to a hardness of heart toward that which is unseen.

As far as guiding the discussion, I would tackle it in a logical approach. If this - then that. I have always felt that discussions are best when questions are asked. If your just throwing information at them, it has become a sermon, not a discussion.

Little questions don't count. They need to be the ones that make the brain think hard.

There are numerous examples of supernatural events in the Bible. Most of them have a good lesson and something to learn behind them.

My intro will be more questions than answers and I can mute wafflers or dark side devotees.

That numbness you spoke of can also become a tacit acceptance

The bible speaks supernaturally of miracles, flight, walking on water, ax heads floating waters parting rain falling by command and prayer. So why don't we being a fundamental question

 

[mindlight]

Mental illness can create false experiences that appear supernatural. We see threads on this all the time. It's important to rule them out and distinguish between the two. Everything we perceive as supernatural isn't always so. We can be wrong.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

Some mental problems are to do with damage or disease -so hardware

Some come down to loneliness , rejection and unprocessed hurts

But some are the direct result of sinful choices exploited by demons

What people see and what is there, is out of sync. We imagine some things, are blind to others, and need to learn to 'see' both seen and unseen.

 

[mindlight]

I recommend using caution in attributing ailments to evil spirts. That is not to say that illness is never caused by evil spirits, but oversimplifying anything is dangerous. For instance, Deuteronomy 28:58-61 could be interpreted to mean that many diseases and illnesses are the result of sin, but John 9:3 shows that not all maladies are the result of sin.
(Exodus 23:25-27, Hosea 9:14, Job 21, Leviticus 26:14-16, Leviticus 26:25, etc.)

Rather than studying evil spirits, I would recommend studying Scriptures regarding healing.

The focus is on how we as Christians should respond to these challenges, mindful of the tricks of darkness but walking the fine line between magic and materialism that is Christianities Third Way

 

[a-lily-of-peace]

If I were going to be talking about the supernatural I would use these scriptures as the starting point:

What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? (1 Corinthians 10:19-22, NKJV)

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. (Ephesians 3:8-12, NKJV)

From a psychological perspective I would also look at the rise of self-empowerment methods that are directly linked to neo paganism and even pop culture. For example the identification with characters such as Wonder Woman or Katniss from the Hunger Games (both influenced by pagan Diana/Artemis) and how people will unabashedly say that these “icons” are supposed to be symbols of female self empowerment. Then too, young girls being given costumes to dress like them and idols (plastic toys and figurines) as mementos may not look like the old pagan practices on the surface (less solemn, more commercial) but in terms of what that person experiences, there is a spiritual malaise that comes from dreaming of otherworldly realms.

I believe we are actually living in a pagan culture, it might look a bit different but in terms of “archetypes” those spirits are still very present.

 

[Jake Arsenal]

The focus is on how we as Christians should respond to these challenges, mindful of the tricks of darkness but walking the fine line between magic and materialism that is Christianities Third Way

The best way to respond evil spirits is fasting and prayer.

Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

 

[Fervent]

What's the dividing line between natural and supernatural? Isn't it all God's action, and thus supernatural? Ultimately, Christianity does not teach an interventionist God that set things in motion and then occasionally works a miracle or two but a God that superintends and sustains the universe at every moment. To separate the two is to play into the hands of the atheists and defend the philosopher's god rather than God Almighty.