Apologetics Index » Books

Faith Misguided: Exposing the Dangers of Mysticism

apologeticsindex.org — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:50:27 +0000

The publishers of Apologetics Index have received permission from Moody Publishers to post online a chapter from the book, Faith Misguided: Exposing the Dangers of Mysticism, by Arthur L. Johnson.

The book, first published in 1988, is currently out of print. However, its content continues to be of interest to Christians who wish to understand not just today's religious and spiritual trends outside of the Church -- but also certain teachings and practices that have been introduced in the church over the past few decades.

Read the full article: Faith Misguided: Exposing the Dangers of Mysticism at Apologetics Index

Chapter 1: The Nature of Mysticism

apologeticsindex.org — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:30:58 +0000

By revealing Himself through the written Word, God has committed Himself to using rational concepts as a tool for revelation, thereby making human reason absolutely necessary. Yet mystic literature abounds with statements that reject the reasoning ability as an adequate tool for gaining knowledge.

Read the full article: Chapter 1: The Nature of Mysticism at Apologetics Index

Conclusion: Witchcraft, Christianity and Cultural Change

apologeticsindex.org — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:54:06 +0000

Witchcraft has gone mainstream.

Even though it took the work of thirty years to prepare the way, the public's attitude toward Witchcraft was effectively turned upside down in less than a decade.

This is the Conclusion of Witchcraft Goes Mainstream, by Brooks Alexander

Read the full article: Conclusion: Witchcraft, Christianity and Cultural Change at Apologetics Index

Chapter 7: From Witchcraft to Wicca: 1700 -- 2000

apologeticsindex.org — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:44:01 +0000

The purpose of interfaith work from the Witches' point of view was to establish Witchcraft as a religion among religions, thus increasing the acceptance and acceptability of Witchcraft in society, and thereby serving the ultimate purpose of increasing the physical safety and enlarging the social comfort-zone of Witches in general.

Judged by those standards, the Witches' "interfaith interface" has been remarkably successful. Today the Witchcraft movement has already achieved legal status as one religion among many, and is on the verge of achieving it socially -- which is exactly what the interfaith approach was designed to accomplish.

This is Chapter 7 or Witchcraft Goes Mainstream, by Brooks Alexander

Read the full article: Chapter 7: From Witchcraft to Wicca: 1700 -- 2000 at Apologetics Index

Chapter 6: Witchcraft for Real -- Was There or Wasn't There?

apologeticsindex.org — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:54:38 +0000

The history of European witchcraft can also be seen in terms of the coming together and breaking up of its individual components. Prior to the middle ages, witchcraft did not exist as such, because it was still in pieces. Its components had not yet abandoned their separate histories and been fully joined.

After the Renaissance, the process reversed itself , and witchcraft ceased to exist as such because it went to pieces. This is chapter 6 of Witchcraft Goes Mainstream by Brooks Alexander.

Read the full article: Chapter 6: Witchcraft for Real -- Was There or Wasn't There? at Apologetics Index

Chapter 5: Three Myths about Modern Witchcraft

apologeticsindex.org — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:26:46 +0000

Despite the public’s exposure to Neopagan themes and concepts through the media (or perhaps because of it), there remains widespread confusion about what modern Witchcraft is and where it comes from. In particular there is confusion about how the Witchcraft of today relates to the witchcraft of the Middle Ages.

This is Chapter 5 of Witchcraft Goes Mainstream, by Brooks Alexander.

Read the full article: Chapter 5: Three Myths about Modern Witchcraft at Apologetics Index

Chapter 4: Witchcraft in Popular Entertainment: The Craft, Buffy and Beyond

apologeticsindex.org — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:35:35 +0000

The Craft revolutionized the media's approach to teenagers, reshaped the media's imagery of good and evil, and redefined the public's idea of modern Witchcraft. The movie firmly established modern Witchcraft's new image in the public mind: dangerous, but exciting -- and above all, real.

Buffy is second only to The Craft as a milestone in the ongoing spiritual devolution of American culture.

This is Chapter 4 of Witchcraft Goes Mainstream, by Brooks Alexander.

Read the full article: Chapter 4: Witchcraft in Popular Entertainment: The Craft, Buffy and Beyond at Apologetics Index

Chapter 3: Teens and the Media: Witchcraft in Popular Entertainment

apologeticsindex.org — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:37:33 +0000

Teen-oriented media is a kind of youth-culture echo-chamber -- an ideal environment for commercial manipulation. Without any standards other than profits and ratings, the media is "both responding to interest in Witchcraft and creating it, in a rapid feedback loop."

The mid-1990s explosion of Witchcraft in the media can be seen as part of that process, and as a sign of the new (teen) center of gravity in media marketing and entertainment.

This is Chapter 3 of Witchcraft Goes Mainstream, by Brooks Alexander

Read the full article: Chapter 3: Teens and the Media: Witchcraft in Popular Entertainment at Apologetics Index

Chapter 2: The Halloween Witch is Dead: The Changing Face of Modern Witchcraft

apologeticsindex.org — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:34:10 +0000

The Halloween witch is dead. The old crone on a broomstick with a black cat, a peaked hat and a wart on her nose is history. She has been replaced by a young, beautiful, sexually magnetic maiden who reveres nature, honors a goddess, practices magic and wields mysterious psychic powers. Such indeed is the image of the modern, Neopagan Witch today.

This is Chapter 2 of Witchcraft Goes Mainstream, by Brooks Alexander

Read the full article: Chapter 2: The Halloween Witch is Dead: The Changing Face of Modern Witchcraft at Apologetics Index

Witchcraft Goes Mainstream, by Brooks Alexander

apologeticsindex.org — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:08:04 +0000

Neopaganism has become one of the fastest-growing religious movements today. Christians are not immune from its influence. Witchcraft and occultism are knocking on the doors of American homes, gaining acceptance and prominence in media and advertising, and enticing people of all ages to dabble in deceptive and dangerous practices.

In his book Witchcraft Goes Mainstream Brooks Alexander offers lucid and enlightening descriptions of witchcraft today and our culture's acceptance of it. He concludes by helping Christians formulate a reasonable response.

Read the full article: Witchcraft Goes Mainstream, by Brooks Alexander at Apologetics Index

About the Author, Brooks Alexander

apologeticsindex.org — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:07:49 +0000

Brooks Alexander is the founder of The Spiritual Couterfeits Project (SCP), an evangelical ministry and think-tank in Berkeley, California that studies new religions and spiritual movements.

An experienced journalist who is educated in law, his personal experience in the occult and his subsequent conversion to Christ give him a unique perspective on current spiritual trends.

Read the full article: About the Author, Brooks Alexander at Apologetics Index

Witchcraft Goes Mainstream: Copyright and Additional Information

apologeticsindex.org — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:07:25 +0000

Read the full article: Witchcraft Goes Mainstream: Copyright and Additional Information at Apologetics Index

Witchcraft Goes Mainstream -- Table of Contents

apologeticsindex.org — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:07:09 +0000

Chapters and publication information for Witchcraft Goes Mainstream

Read the full article: Witchcraft Goes Mainstream -- Table of Contents at Apologetics Index

Introduction: My Encounters With Modern Witchcraft

apologeticsindex.org — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:06:40 +0000

Before we can share the message of Christianity with Neopagans, we must first understand the truth about them. We need to know who we are talking to before the conversation starts. We owe them that respect in order to gain a hearing for the message that we bear.

Read the full article: Introduction: My Encounters With Modern Witchcraft at Apologetics Index

Chapter 1: "Witchcraft," "Neopaganism": What Are We Talking About, Exactly?

apologeticsindex.org — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:06:25 +0000

If you walk onto an average college campus and ask four different people what "witchcraft" is, you will probably get four different answers. I know, because I tried the experiment.

"Witchcraft" has at least four different meanings -- four distinct ways the word is employed -- and those different meanings get mixed up in the ways that people use and understand the term.

Read the full article: Chapter 1: "Witchcraft," "Neopaganism": What Are We Talking About, Exactly? at Apologetics Index