For Fridays readings one of the most reoccurring themes was the use of magic in the Bible and differentiating what was "right' and what was wrong when it came to the use of magic. On quote from Sophie Page's book Magic in Medieval Manuscripts that seems to sum up this topic is "one group's magician could very easily be another group's holy man." As we have already read in past readings all forms of magic are in one way or another involve the agency of the Devil. With that in mind how did Christian theologians, saints, and holy man justify their works? What made a miracle different from the use of magic?
From the Rise of Christianity and Early Medieval Europe to the Year 1000 I found one quote that really stuck out to me regarding Jesus. The quote on page 15 of our course packet ends by saying that in the eyes of the casual observer Jesus fit "the very image of the magos". The reading then goes onto tell that there accusations for several hundreds of years that Jesus was a magician and had in fact studied magical arts while in Egypt. In the Travels of Marco Polo, Polo observes the magicians of Xanadu who can cause flagons of milk or wine to fill cups spontaneously. To me this feels along the same context of Jesus turning water into wine. What are some other instances of miracles performed in the Bible that parallel magical acts that we have read about thus far in class?
Very intriguing post Zach. I found it interesting how you brought up the idea of religion and magic, and their ties to each other. I am anxious to see how this class discusses this topic in our upcoming meetings!
ReplyDeleteI also made the observation that the miracles are of the magical realm given the topic we are studying. I focused my Blog within the same context of studying Jesus as an individual with magical powers, an assumption of witch-like knowledge. Until this week, I never put the Bible within the same category as one of magic powers on display by the son of God. Raising of the dead, healing with a touch; that is pretty magical. Very thought provoking for philosophy of religion and theology. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good observation. I found the connection with the Marco Polo account and Jesus' miracle of water to wine very interesting. I wonder if there were people executed for magical acts that parallel those found in the Bible. More specifically I wonder if prosecutions were done due to the accusation some one tried to bring another person back from the dead such as when Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead or even His own rising from the dead.
ReplyDeleteJust as we might debate miracles, magic, faith, possession--as I see happening here--early Christians and modern Christians still debate the meaning of the resurrection. This is not to say that one is more correct than the other in a history class, but to consider how people make distinctions as to what is correct or not.
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