Vol. 15, No. 1, 1998

Articles on the New Age

To Astrologers and Psychics - Just Say No!

By Bob Anderson 

Former U.S. president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy, who was the spokesperson for the much maligned "Just Say No" anti-drug program, were often the centers of debate regarding the controversial topic Astrology. According to a former White House source, the Reagans, said to be very superstitious, consulted horoscopes and a particular California astrologer prior to making major decisions affecting both their private and political lives. The former president maintained that he did not make major decisions based on astrology, but Mrs. Reagan admitted to dabbling in stargazing ("Just Say No to Astrology," Expression, June 1988).

>A TV network reported that occultism in the White House is nothing new. Mary Todd Lincoln is said to have held seances in one of the upstairs rooms - a practice President Lincoln apparently tolerated with amusement. 

More recently, first lady Hilary Rodham Clinton used New Age psychic Jean Houston, codirector of the Foundation for Mind Research, to talk to the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt. Reports say that Mrs. Clinton had talks with Roosevelt and Mohandas Gandhi. From the Bible's point of view, of course, if there was contact with any spirits, they were not the spirits of the dead, but demons. 

Mrs. Clinton said, "Now I'm sure that there will be a talk show host somewhere who will point out with great glee that I have gone over the edge and am talking to myself and to Mrs. Roosevelt on a regular basis, but I believe that the world, and particularly our country, would be better off if we all spent a little time talking with Mrs. Roosevelt . . ." (Hilliary Rodham Clinton, "Keynote Address at the Dedication of Eleanor Roosevelt College, San Diego," CA, January 26, 1995). 

Interestingly, when Houston suggested that Mrs. Clinton have a conversation with Jesus Christ, the first lady declined saying that it would be "too personal" ("Methodist Bishop defends Mrs. Clinton's talks with deceased leaders," Expression, August 1996, p. 8). Incredibly, the United Methodist Bishop of Arkansas, Richard Wilke, endorsed Mrs. Clinton's involvement with necromancy, saying, "I think it's marvelous that she's having experiences like this, " adding that Mrs. Clinton is "one of the most profound lay theologians in the United Methodist Church" (Ibid., p.6). This is simply evidence which shows how deficient in biblical discernment and godly wisdom many church leaders are today.

What position should Christians take when discussions of astrology, psychics and other forms of divination arise? Do the stars shape human destiny? Are there unseen influences in the unconscious mind related to the position of the planets in their orbits? Can psychics see the future? Does the Bible say anything about these subjects? Yes, of course it does! God branded these practices as detestable. Listen to the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:9-12: 

"When thou art come into the land the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shalt not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times or an enchanter , or a witch, or a necromancer, for all that do these things, are an abomination unto the Lord."  

God branded the practices of the Canaanites an "abomination." In other words, these were things that were particularly offensive to Him. When Israel desired to know God's divine will, they were commanded to avoid the magic, sorcery and superstitious practices of the Canaanites. Instead, they were to wait upon the Lord, who would raise up a prophet from among them. God's prophets were not primarily to foretell the future, but to instruct and reprove the people in God's name. Prophecies and miracles were only intended as a sign to establish the prophet's credentials. And God's prophets were always accurate 100 per cent of the time when they prophesied (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). Anything less then 100 percent accuracy resulted in death by stoning for the false prophet.

>Checking the records of modern-day astrologers or psychics, even the late Jeanne Dixon, will demonstrate that unlike God's prophets, they are extremely inaccurate. Incidentally, Mrs. Dixon failed to prophesy her own death. 

One reads further about the enchanters in Daniel 2:1-2. King Nebuchandnezzer believed that he had received an important Divine communication. He summoned all of his magicians, sorcerers and Chaldeans. He admonished them to tell him, both his dream and the interpretation, pretending to have forgotten the dream so he could test their skills. 

The astrologers failed the test and the King ordered them all executed. God, however, revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel who after revealing it and the interpretation with Nebuchadnezzar was made the ruler over the whole province of Babylon. God rewarded obedience but chastised disobedience. 

The Scriptures indicate that both Israel and Judah were often contaminated with astrology, sorcery or witchcraft. This contamination always brought the judgement of God upon them.  

Will America be judged by a different standard? Again and again the Lord sent prophets to warn Israel and Judah, but the people would not heed His warnings. (e.g., 2 Kings 17:15-17; 23:5; Isaiah 47:10-15). Much of Israel and Judah's problems can be traced to their involvement with occult practices. 

Occult techniques are now attracting millions in America through the New Age Movement. Psychics have become commonplace. Hollywood actors and entertainers star in television programs urging people to call their "top professional psychics." 

A popular New Age magazine, Body, Mind & Spirit, recently proclaimed that "now with a single phone call, you can choose for yourself from among the country's leading Master Psychics including: ASTROLOGERS.NUMEROLOGISTS.DREAM INTERPRETERS . TAROT CARD READERS.CHANNELERS.PAST LIFE THERAPISTS . CLAIRVOYANTS . AURA READERS . and HEALERS." All of this for a mere $3.95 per minute on a convenient 900 number (Paul Zurmoski, ed., Body, Mind & Spirit, 1993 issues coverflap; cited in Ron Rhodes, The Culting of America, p. 84).

Interestingly, the most prominent of the psychic "hotlines," The Psychic Friends Network hosted by Dionne Warwick, recently filed for bankruptcy. The Network had employed approximately 1,500 psychics who, as in the case of Jeanne Dixon, were not able to foresee the coming demise. At its peak, the network had logged an estimated three million minutes a month at about $4 per minute. That would have amounted to a gross income of $144 million annually (see "Psychics" Profile, The Watchman Expositor, Vol. 14, No. 2, 1997). 

The seeming flood of psychic programs, many of them literally giving away up to twenty minutes of free time to attract callers, may have eventually caused the collapse of The Psychic Friends Network. Hopefully, for the good of society, this will not be the last of these insolvencies.

Many of today's astrologers frankly admit that ancient Babylonians developed their craft, just as they invented just about every other type of divination known to man. Just as many people once believed that the stars were gods, many today believe that the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth determine one's character, abilities and destiny. More than 80 percent of all newspapers in America now carry horoscope columns.  

All occult practices are an affront to God. Christians are to put faith and trust in Him alone. God wants His people to consult Him - not phoney substitutes. Through the Scripture and through the Holy Spirit, God reveals what He's doing and what He wants people to know. "To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). "Howbeit when the Spirit of truth is come He will guide you into all truth .and He will show you things to come. (John 16:13). 

The Lord, through the Word and the Holy Spirit, will guide His people into all truth and will show them that His promises are true. That's something that the psychics and astrologers can never do.