Biblical Demonology: A Study of Spiritual Forces at Work Today by Merrill F. Unger

Author:Merrill F. Unger
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Angelology & Demonology, General, Religion, Christian Theology, Biblical teaching, Demonology & Satanism, Biblical Studies, Demonology, Biblical Criticism & Interpretation, Demonology - Biblical teaching
ISBN: 9780825439018
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Published: 1994-10-01T05:00:00+00:00

BIBLICAL DEMONOLOGY AND NECROMANCY

NECROMANCY IS not a demonological phenomenon distinct in itself, but merely a particular aspect and mode of divination. However, its widespread practice among heathen nations of antiquity, its persistence throughout the centuries, and its present-day appearance in the modern spiritualistic revival, entitle it to an important place of special consideration by itself.

Divination embraces all attempts to obtain clandestine information from the denizens of the spiritual world, so that necromancy is to be classified under it, and as a phase of it. Its distinguishing mark is that the knowledge desired is sought from the spirits of deceased persons. The word itself is very expressive of the sphere it embraces, and denotes literally divination (manteia) by consulting the dead (nekros).

A. BIBLICAL INSTANCES OF NECROMANCY

Examples of consultation with the spirits of the departed dead are not numerous in the Bible, for Scripture invariably condemns this practice as completely at variance with the true spiritual worship of God. But among various nations of antiquity it was not only allowed, but abetted, and widely practised. Among many ancient people, like the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, the diviner stood in the service of the states and was consulted before important decisions were made, or wars waged.238

That certain classes of pagan prognosticators were categorized as illegitimate, and prohibited from exercising their calling, was not because their occultism clashed with heathenism, but rather because they were supposed to be in league with the gods of other and hostile nations. Since, in the beliefs of the time, the gods of a particular nation were the protectors of its people, and the deities of rival nations were its enemies, any one suspected of alliance or intercourse with these hostile gods was under rigid governmental prohibition.

1. THE OLD TESTAMENT BAN AGAINST NECROMANCY

But in a theocracy like Israel, there was no such distinction as legitimate and illegitimate occultism. It was all under inflexible interdict, and traffic in it was, in all cases, viewed as flagrant apostasy from Jehovah and as a crime punishable by the severest penalties. Hence the Mosaic injunctions: "Turn ye not unto them that have familiar spirits, nor unto the wizards; seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am Jehovah your God" (Lev. 19:31). "And the soul that turneth unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto the wizards, to play the harlot after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people" (Lev. 20:6). "There shall not be found with thee ... a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer" (Deut. 18:10-11).

The "familiar spirit" ('ob) is the divining demon present in the body of the conjurer. "A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit (literally, 'in whom there is a divining demon'), or a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them" (Lev. 20:27). The term "familiar" is applied to

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