Witchcraft?

[eachallberg]

I am unemployed at the moment. I have a good job offer as a compounder for a pharmaceutical company. A compounder mixes ingredients.

Pharmacy is derived from, "pharmakos". The term "pharmakos" later became the term "pharmakeus" which refers to "a drug, spell-giving potion, druggist, poisoner, by extension a magician or a sorcerer.

Galatians 5:19,20 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions...

Is it a mortar and pestle, or a cauldron with spoon on the wal-greens sign?
And...
Would the job description be considered witchcraft or is it only sinful to be ingesting the potion?

Grace through Christ be to all of you.

 

[son_flower]

I am unemployed at the moment. I have a good job offer as a compounder for a pharmaceutical company. A compounder mixes ingredients.

Pharmacy is derived from, "pharmakos". The term "pharmakos" later became the term "pharmakeus" which refers to "a drug, spell-giving potion, druggist, poisoner, by extension a magician or a sorcerer.

Galatians 5:19,20 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions...

Is it a mortar and pestle, or a cauldron with spoon on the wal-greens sign?
And...
Would the job description be considered witchcraft or is it only sinful to be ingesting the potion?

Grace through Christ be to all of you.

Did the company just contact you out of the blue?

 

[andrestack]

For me I think there's nothing wrong with it. God bless!

 

[katautumn]

I don't mean to be crass, but are you serious? Modern-day pharmaceuticals couldn't be further removed from witchcraft. A mortar and pestle is used in more than just magic. Would you be afraid to crush basil for a recipe in your kitchen, because witches have used the tool for magical ritual? Second, you're going to be mixing ingredients for medicines, not magical rituals.

 

[andrestack]

I don't mean to be crass, but are you serious? Modern-day pharmaceuticals couldn't be further removed from witchcraft. A mortar and pestle is used in more than just magic. Would you be afraid to crush basil for a recipe in your kitchen, because witches have used the tool for magical ritual? Second, you're going to be mixing ingredients for medicines, not magical rituals.

You're Absolutely Right Kat...

 

[BabySteps]

uhh yeah.... it's pharmakia and it's not right... it's of the devil. the pharm companies are money rackets, heck illegal drugs is a sin, and look at how much worse the effects of some pharmies are! it's all just to distract from the fact that we get our healing from God not chemicals...

 

[eachallberg]

Did the company just contact you out of the blue?

I have my resume on a well known employment site.

I don't mean to be crass, but are you serious? Modern-day pharmaceuticals couldn't be further removed from witchcraft. A mortar and pestle is used in more than just magic. Would you be afraid to crush basil for a recipe in your kitchen, because witches have used the tool for magical ritual? Second, you're going to be mixing ingredients for medicines, not magical rituals.

Yes, I am serious.
Pharmaceuticals, potions. Two-mato, Ta-mato.

G_d wants to heal his people. Jeremiah 17:14, Psalm 6:2, Isaiah 6:10, and Jesus repeats Isaiah. Jesus heals!

Job 36:21
Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this have you chosen rather than affliction.

Basil is food and natural too. I would be more sad or disgusted with that mortar and pestle than afraid.

If you know what I know about food and artificial flavors you be more particular with what you ingest.
What comes out of the body is different from what goes in, yes. But Its good to be living sacrifice.

uhh yeah.... it's pharmakia and it's not right... it's of the devil. the pharm companies are money rackets, heck illegal drugs is a sin, and look at how much worse the effects of some pharmies are! it's all just to distract from the fact that we get our healing from God not chemicals...

"down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." (Revelation 22:2)

Basil?

Grace and peace.

 

[Johnnz]

Pharmaceuticals aren't into witchcraft. Many English words have a Greek basis to them that is merely linguistic and nothing at all to do with occult practices.

John
NZ

 

[eachallberg]

Pharmaceuticals aren't into witchcraft. Many English words have a Greek basis to them that is merely linguistic and nothing at all to do with occult practices.

John
NZ

There is no word for coincidence in the hebrew language, but they do have a word for ironic and purpose.

 

[Johnnz]

Except that word is Greek, not Hebrew.

John
NZ

 

[briareos]

If you have a preconceived notion that medical drugs can be correlated to witchery than this may be a lost cause becuase you are already cemented deep into that belief, and... you probly aren't fit for that job anyway becuase people don't want someone who thinks that way mixing their drugs and your boss probly doesn't want you working for him either.

I would though appeal to you with the question of what will you be doing? Will you be weaving spells? Will you be poisoning people? While you be practicing or believing in witchcraft? Does this action in you require a willingness to practice witchcraft?

Medical drugs are the product of scientific research, something that is almost completely void of spiritual intent or influence. With that in mind I would say the influence of witchcraft and spiritualism to be completely absent from you'd be doing.

I would also assert that if you are qualified for this job, it should mean that you have some expertise or experience with it, and if you do I would be surprised that you are suseptible to such irrational thoughts. I don't use the word irrational becuase I think you are silly but becuase your thoughts are not seated in strick rationalism but rather in mysticism and spiritualism.

Do you not agree that medical drugs are innocent and useful?
If you do agree, then you should equally agree that the creation of these products is equally innocent and useful, void of any mystic evil.

If are willing to take medical drugs, give your children medical drugs, advise people to use medical drugs, have credintials that qualify you to work in the field of medical drugs, then you should also assume the creation of these products to be completely innocent, needed and beneficial.

Who cares what the etymology of the term is? Really... who does? Why would you? What mystical power does this etymology have in your life? What influence does it have on your actions or intent or beliefs? So what if the etymology of the term has a flaw, what will you be doing? Will you be participating in witchcraft? If you will...then yeh, don't you dare mix my medical drugs. If not, then disregard this mysticism and go start a new career.

 

[Andrew Ryan]

I don't mean to be crass, but are you serious? Modern-day pharmaceuticals couldn't be further removed from witchcraft. A mortar and pestle is used in more than just magic. Would you be afraid to crush basil for a recipe in your kitchen, because witches have used the tool for magical ritual? Second, you're going to be mixing ingredients for medicines, not magical rituals.

^This, really, taking this job on would be a good thing, you're helping the sick, what could be more Christian than that?

I think you're over-analyzing this.

 

[Angelfrog]

It's good to be cautious and wise- but a little worrying when we, as Christians, start seeing 'demons under every doily' to quote Frank Peretti!

My health is not fantastic. I have to have medication for some things. These medicines didn't just appear miraculously- they were man made.

Are you seriously going to suggest that because I use medication that originated from one pharmaceutical company or other, that I'm dabbling in witchcraft????
My mother would be livid to hear that the medication she takes to actually help keep her alive means that she's dabbling in the occult!

So if I take a paracetamol or asprin for a headache, I'm a witch by association?

Yes- that's a silly example- extreme maybe... but if you're going to claim connections with the occult because of a word, where do you draw the line?

Don't you think that you're getting a little caught up, as briareos says, on etymology?

 

[ChrisLeishy]

Maybe what you need to do is go to the original hebrew words in that translation and do some serious research. Consider the word meaning in the culture and time of the people it was written in. You might just find a new meaning in that passage with a bit of luck.

 

[Angelfrog]

uhh yeah.... it's pharmakia and it's not right... it's of the devil. the pharm companies are money rackets, heck illegal drugs is a sin, and look at how much worse the effects of some pharmies are! it's all just to distract from the fact that we get our healing from God not chemicals...

Hon- don't you think that there's a world of difference between illegal drugs and medication?

I have medication that I take. I have had operations (and medication had to be used) and in the last 16 weeks I've had tests, Ct scan and a biopsy.
I thank God so much for the progress that has given medication. I thank him for the surgeons and medical staff- for their skill and dedication and expertise that he has blessed them with.

Yes, healing comes from the Lord- but we're all aware that he doesn't choose to heal every person miraculously. Most of the time he works through doctors and hospitals.

The only other thing I'd say, Babysteps- and I mean this 'in love' (as I'd say in Christian-ese!)- you've been through some truly dreadful experiences, as you've bravely explained in your thread, but I would say that in turning one's back on those things (although absolutely right) can mean that one may need to be careful of going a bit too far the other way. In other words, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, as we say here.

If Christians avoid anything with the remotest and most tenuous connection to those things that could be construed as ungodly, or of the occult- we'd have a tough time of it!

What do you do in the USA about your money- which has an occult symbol on it- and overtly at that? Do you stop using notes all together? Not quite the same thing, I know- but do you see the point I'm making?

 

[heron]

I've heard preachers talk about this topic very loosely... it's worth thinking about, and I understand the concern when so many side effects are inevitable. But as for scriptures, remember that the Greek words would have originated from Greek practices.

Greek pharmakos /farmakoi /Pharmakeus (sorcerer) is only found in Revelation 21, 22. It pertains to magical arts, that use substances to control people.

Pharmakeia is also found in Ga 5:20, and is considered the practice of poisoning or using drugs to conjure spirits.[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]
[/FONT]
In Acts 8:9, Simon the sorcerer was using magic tricks to gain attention. That is different from trying to heal people with what has been carefully researched and proven to help. Acts 8 also uses the word mageuwn -- magic.[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]

[/FONT]Think about how voudou dolls are magic practices intended to harm people... concoctions are used to put people into temporary comas, for non-healing purposes.

See also Acts 19
The people would not likely have burned their medical books.

Your intent is toward wellness. not astounding people with your amazing feats or disabling them out of spite. [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]
[/FONT]

 

[eachallberg]

I like your reply.

If you have a preconceived notion that medical drugs can be correlated to witchery than this may be a lost cause becuase you are already cemented deep into that belief, and... you probly aren't fit for that job anyway becuase people don't want someone who thinks that way mixing their drugs and your boss probly doesn't want you working for him either.

Of course I have my beliefs/views, but I am more interested in yours.

would though appeal to you with the question of what will you be doing? Will you be weaving spells? Will you be poisoning people? While you be practicing or believing in witchcraft? Does this action in you require a willingness to practice witchcraft?

Poisoning people. No. Yes. Witchcraft I think is real. And no.

drugs are the product of scientific research, something that is almost completely void of spiritual intent or influence. With that in mind I would say the influence of witchcraft and spiritualism to be completely absent from you'd be doing.

Scientific research that says, "Hey G_d we do not have faith you cant help heal us so mind are back."
That is spiritual intent and influence.
Its no where close in mind, it is absolute trickery.

would also assert that if you are qualified for this job, it should mean that you have some expertise or experience with it, and if you do I would be surprised that you are suseptible to such irrational thoughts. I don't use the word irrational becuase I think you are silly but becuase your thoughts are not seated in strick rationalism but rather in mysticism and spiritualism.

Brother, please dont assume. I am qualified because my previous job was in the food industry manufacturing flavors.
Spoiler: Some artificial flavors contain ethyl acetate. The same number one ingredient in nail polish.
My thoughts are in Galatians 5:20.

you not agree that medical drugs are innocent and useful?
If you do agree, then you should equally agree that the creation of these products is equally innocent and useful, void of any mystic evil.

If are willing to take medical drugs, give your children medical drugs, advise people to use medical drugs, have credintials that qualify you to work in the field of medical drugs, then you should also assume the creation of these products to be completely innocent, needed and beneficial.

I do not agree they are innocent. Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. Why turn your back on G_d? Mystic evil...? This post is not in unorthodox theology.

Who cares what the etymology of the term is? Really... who does? Why would you? What mystical power does this etymology have in your life? What influence does it have on your actions or intent or beliefs? So what if the etymology of the term has a flaw, what will you be doing? Will you be participating in witchcraft? If you will...then yeh, don't you dare mix my medical drugs. If not, then disregard this mysticism and go start a new career.

I care. Really, I care.

I love G_d. I want to obey. It is his will, no?

I dont know anything about mystical power.

It could influence me to be cold hearted and not care I am poisoning people. Go investigate the labels and research the ingredients. It sounds like a gateway to turn my back on G_d.
Get this!
Last job offer I had before this was advertising for a psychic, medium, tarot card reader.
I declined for obvious Christian reasons.

If my interpretation is wrong then correct me, please! If it is flawed then I rather be safe then sorry, because I do not want to participate in witchcraft.

I am sorry If you take medication. My girlfriend takes anxiety pills and she is a zombie on them. She is under control by something not good.

Seriously, what is mysticism to you???
And
Thanks for the advice, I was thinking of starting a career in the kingdom of G_d as a missionary.

Peace through Christ be to you.

 

[eachallberg]

^This, really, taking this job on would be a good thing, you're helping the sick, what could be more Christian than that?

I think you're over-analyzing this.

If I would take this job I am helping with the process poisoning unsuspecting people. Christ didn't do that.

I think I am searching.

It's good to be cautious and wise- but a little worrying when we, as Christians, start seeing 'demons under every doily' to quote Frank Peretti!

My health is not fantastic. I have to have medication for some things. These medicines didn't just appear miraculously- they were man made.

Are you seriously going to suggest that because I use medication that originated from one pharmaceutical company or other, that I'm dabbling in witchcraft????
My mother would be livid to hear that the medication she takes to actually help keep her alive means that she's dabbling in the occult!

So if I take a paracetamol or asprin for a headache, I'm a witch by association?

Yes- that's a silly example- extreme maybe... but if you're going to claim connections with the occult because of a word, where do you draw the line?

Don't you think that you're getting a little caught up, as briareos says, on etymology?

G_d wants to heal you. Is you mother Christian? Regardless G_d wants to heal her too. Its not etymology i'm caught up in. It is just trying to define, understand, and avoid sinful nature. How can you obey G_d when you do not understand his direction?

Maybe what you need to do is go to the original hebrew words in that translation and do some serious research. Consider the word meaning in the culture and time of the people it was written in. You might just find a new meaning in that passage with a bit of luck.

Hebrew does not have the word "coincidence". Sorry for the confusion.

 

[religious&reasonable]

*facepalm*

I needed to take some motrin after reading this thread.

 

[eachallberg]

*facepalm*

I needed to take some motrin after reading this thread.

Let everything you do (or say) reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

Grace from Christ to you.