Tag Archives: Christian Magic

Journal for the Academic Study of Magic 5

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JSM5
Format: Softcover
£20/US$40


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Review of JSM 5: Journal for the Academic Study of Magic, Volume 5

The fifth volume of the Journal for the Academic Study of Magic (JSM5) continues its tradition of offering rich, scholarly insights into the multifaceted world of magic and esotericism. This edition is particularly noteworthy for its broad range of topics, which span different cultures, historical periods, and perspectives, providing readers with a well-rounded exploration of magical practices and beliefs.

Philip Jewell’s article on Flavius Josephus offers an intriguing examination of how Jewish magic was adapted to fit Roman sensibilities, shedding light on the intersection of religion, culture, and power. Dan Harms’ discussion of grimoires in the conjure tradition provides a deep dive into the practical and ritualistic uses of these texts, making it a must-read for those interested in the tangible aspects of magic.

Dana Winters’ analysis of Doctor Faustus highlights the integration of Hermetic and Cabalistic elements in Marlowe’s work, revealing the complex layers of Renaissance esotericism. Sabina Magliocco’s piece on Italian cunning craft introduces readers to a lesser-known tradition, offering preliminary but valuable observations that encourage further study.

J.A. Silver Frost’s exploration of secret astrologers operating within mainstream professions is both fascinating and accessible, showing how these individuals navigated societal norms while practising their craft. Patrick Maille’s article on martyrs, magic, and Christian conversion presents a thought-provoking look at how magic influenced religious transitions.

Kennet Granholm’s study of Pekka Siitoin provides a critical examination of the darker intersections of anti-Semitism, Theosophy, and Christianity in occult doctrines, offering a sobering reminder of the political dimensions of esoteric beliefs. Lastly, Marguerite Johnson’s exploration of sex magic in 1950s Australia offers a glimpse into the intersection of sexuality and the occult, a topic that remains relevant in contemporary studies.

Overall, JSM5 is a compelling and diverse collection of essays that will appeal to both scholars and enthusiasts of magic. It successfully bridges the gap between academic rigour and the captivating nature of its subject matter.

Secret Gospel of Mark

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Morton Smith, Clement of Alexandria
and four decades of academic burlesque
Robert Conner

The Secret Gospel of Mark
Morton Smith, Clement of Alexandria
and four decades of academic burlesque
Robert Conner
Format: Softcover/160 pp.
ISBN: 978-1-906958-68-8
£15.00+p&p / US $24.00+p&p
Subjects: Religious Studies/Spirituality

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While cataloguing material in the library of the monastery of Mar Saba in 1958, Morton Smith discovered a quotation from a letter of Clement of Alexandria copied in the end pages of a 17th-century collection of the letters of Ignatius. After more than a decade of a collaborative analysis of the find, Smith published his conclusions in 1973, setting off a firestorm of controversy in the New Testament studies guild.

In 1975, a Jesuit scholar, Quentin Quesnell, claimed the letter had been forged and implied that Smith was the forger, moving the focus of debate off the text itself and onto Smith. Since then the pages containing the letter have been removed from the book and possibly destroyed, while Catholic and evangelical writers, none of whom have ever seen the pages in question, continue to claim that Smith forged the letter.

Following his death in 1991, accusations against Smith took on a considerably more personal tone, highlighting his alleged homosexuality and by implication his dishonesty and moral perversity. Although the question of authenticity remains unresolved, the controversy has opened a window on the intellectually corrupt nature of apologetic New Testament studies, a subject of greater importance than the authenticity of early Christian texts.

 

Magic in Christianity

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From Jesus to Gnosticism
Robert Conner

Magic in Christianity
From Jesus to Gnosticism
Robert Conner
Format: Softcover
ISBN: 978-1-906958-61-9
£15.00+p&p / US$25+p&p
Subjects: Religious Studies/Gnosticism/Magic.

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The world of Jesus and the early Christians swarmed with prophets and exorcists, holy men and healers, who invoked angels and demons, gods and ghosts. Magic in Christianity: From Jesus to the Gnostics explores that world through the surviving texts of the first Christians and their pagan and Jewish contemporaries.

Ecstatic spirit possession, handing opponents over to Satan, sending demons into swine, striking others dead on the spot by pronouncing curses, using articles of clothing and parts of corpses to perform magical healing and exorcism, invoking ghosts and angels for protection—these are all ancient Christian practices described in the New Testament, explained in detail by early Christian writers, and preserved by Christian amulets.

Pagans and Jews accused Jesus and his followers of practicing magic and Christians accused one another of sorcery. Both pagan and early orthodox writers describe the rituals of the gnostic sects in detail, including the magical passwords required to cross through the gates of the lower heavens.

Magic in Christianity: From Jesus to the Gnostics examines evidence from the New Testament, the first Christian apologists, early apocryphal works, curse tablets and amulets to reconstruct the apocalyptic magical world of Jesus and the first Christians.

“a compelling and striking exemplar of why independent scholarship is such an important facet of the academic studies…Recommended.”
– Dale Evans, Ph.D., review of Jesus the Sorcerer, Journal for the Academic Study of Magic.

“a fascinating and thought provoking read…one of the most learned works I have had the opportunity to read in this genre.”
– Eric W. Northway, Ph.D., review of Magic in the New Testament, The Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies.

 

Jesus The Sorcerer

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Robert Conner

Jesus The Sorcerer
Robert Conner
Format: Softcover
ISBN: 978-1869928-957
£15.00+p&p / US$24.00+p&p
Subjects: Christian Magic/Religious Studies.

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The most complete summation to date of the New Testament evidence for magical practice by Jesus and the early Christians. The very notion of Jesus being a sorcerer runs so against the grain of the Western cultural myth that even non-Christians are likely to find it far-fetched or even vaguely disturbing. Nevertheless, scholars steadily accumulated evidence for magical practices in the New Testament throughout much of the 20th century. It is that ever-expanding body of knowledge that has made this book possible. This book examines the following: The nature of the earliest Christian documents, the defects of their transmission, and the evidence for the suppression of descriptions of magical acts.

The closely related problem of the New Testament accounts as historical sources.

The radically apocalyptic nature of Jesus’ message and the expectations of the early church.

The failure of the apocalypse to occur and the theological reaction to that failure.

The role of magic and mystery religion in early Christianity.

A revisiting of the story of the “beloved disciple” and what it may tell us about Jesus and suppression of evidence about his life.

 

Magic in The New Testament

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A survey and appraisal of the evidence
Robert Conner

Magic in The New Testament
A survey and appraisal of the evidence
Robert Conner
Format: Softcover
ISBN: 978-1906958-275
£15.00+p&p / US$25.00+p&p

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Early Christians were accused of practising magic by Jews, Pagans, and other Christians. Magic in the New Testament examines magical praxis common to the New Testament, the magical papyri, the Sepher Ha-Razim, the Book of Enoch, the apocryphal Acts and the pre-Nicene church fathers and surveys the professional literature on early Christian magic.

🌟 Unlocking the Mysteries: Magic in the New Testament 🌟

Did you know that early Christians were sometimes accused of practicing magic? It’s true! In his fascinating book, “Magic in The New Testament: A Survey and Appraisal of the Evidence,” Robert Conner delves into this mystical world.

What’s Inside?

  1. Magical Praxis: Conner explores magical practices common to the New Testament, drawing connections to magical papyri, the Sepher Ha-Razim, the Book of Enoch, and even the apocryphal Acts.
  2. Church Fathers’ Views: Have you ever wondered what the pre-Nicene church fathers thought about magic? Conner surveys their writings and sheds light on their perspectives.
  3. Old Testament Roots: Discover the Old Testament background of early Christian magic. It’s like tracing the magical lineage through ancient texts!
  4. Apocalyptic Magic: Uncover the intriguing relationship between magic and apocalypticism. Spoiler alert: It’s not your typical abracadabra.
  5. Relics and Necromancy: Veneration of relics and necromantic sorcery—we’re diving deep into the mystical and the macabre.
  6. Resurrection and Ghost Stories: Ghostly encounters, polymorphism, and the afterlife—prepare for a supernatural journey.
  7. Mystery Cults: Finally, explore the intersection of magic and mystery cults within early Christianity. Secrets abound!