Let’s explore the intricate history between Christianity and witchcraft, tracing how the Church’s views on magic and supernatural practices evolved from the early Christian period to the modern day. This lecture unpacks the meaning of ‘witchcraft’ within a Christian context, revealing how the term came to signify a threat to divine authority.
Through scriptural interpretations, the perspectives of early Church Fathers, and medieval theological distinctions between ‘white’ and ‘black’ magic, we uncover Christianity’s shifting stance—from condemnation and demonology-fuelled witch hunts to ambivalent tolerance of folk practices. We also examine the rise of ceremonial magic traditions, such as Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry, which attempted to harmonise Christian mysticism with esoteric pursuits, and how these traditions influenced contemporary Pagan practices.
This video sheds light on the far-reaching impact of these historical interactions, showing how Christian symbolism continues to influence modern Paganism and esotericism. Dive into this fascinating journey through faith, fear, and the ongoing dialogue between Christianity and witchcraft.
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REFERENCES
Bailey, M. D. (2007). Magic and Superstition in Europe: A Concise History from Antiquity to the Present. Rowman & Littlefield.
Bogdan, H., & Snoek, J.A.M. (Eds.). (10 Nov. 2016). Handbook of Freemasonry. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill.
Davies, O. (2007). Popular Magic: Cunning-Folk in English History. Hambledon Continuum.
Edighoffer, R., & Introvigne, M. (2008). Rosicrucianism. In W. J. Hanegraaff (ed.), The Brill Dictionary of Gnosis & Western Esotericism Online. Brill.
Flint, V. I. J. (1991). The Rise of Magic in Early Medieval Europe. Princeton University Press.
Hutton, R. (1999). The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft. Oxford University Press.
Kieckhefer, R. (1989). Magic in the Middle Ages. Cambridge University Press.
Levack, B. P. (1987). The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe. Longman.
Monter, E. W. (1976). Witchcraft in France and Switzerland: The Borderlands during the Reformation. Cornell University Press.
Russell, J. B. (1972). The Devil: Perceptions of evil from antiquity to primitive Christianity. Cornell University Press.
York, M. (2003). Pagan Theology: Paganism as a World Religion. New York University Press.
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00:00 Introduction Christianity vs Esotericism
00:48 Support Angela’s Symposium
00:48 The Relationship between Christianity, Witchcraft and Magic
04:10 Early Christian Condemnations of Magic: Scriptural and Patristic Perspectives
05:01 Scriptural Foundations for Condemning Magic
07:25 The Role of the Church Fathers in Shaping Christian Attitudes to Magic
10:42 The Canon Episcopi and the Ambivalence Toward Witchcraft in the Early Church
13:16 Medieval Christianity: Distinctions between ‘White’ and ‘Black’ Magic
14:09 The Influence of Scholasticism and Aristotelian Thought
15:44 The Role of Canon Law and Church Authorities
17:56 The Scholastic Distinction between Licit and Illicit Magic
19:45 Growing Fears and the Foundation for Later Witch Trials
21:08 Modern Witch Hunts and the Development of Demonology
22:07 The Influence of the Malleus Maleficarum on Witch Persecutions
24:08 Demonology as a Framework for Witch Prosecutions
25:42 The Role of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation
28:13 The Würzburg and Bamberg Trials
29:38 Legacy and Decline of the Witch Hunts
31:03 The Rise of Ceremonial Magic
31:53 Magus Lecture
33:02 Rosicrucianism
34:58 Freemasonry
36:58 The Hermetic Tradition and Alchemical Magic
38:51 Resolving the Conflict
39:33 Contemporary Paganism
40:13 Influence of Christian Ceremonial Magic on Contemporary Pagan Practices
41:58 Folk Christianity’s Indirect Influence on Paganism
43:48 Contemporary Paganism and Christianity
45:56 Conclusion
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Published on November 10, 2024
