A Christian Perspective of Magic
By Shaun K. Thornhill
In
the simplest terms, magic can be compartmentalized into three categories, Legerdemain,
Spiritual, and Chemical/Energy. Further subcategories emerge as one delves
deeper into their inner workings and history. Many authors (that I have read)
seek to use one of these forms to accentuate their stories, while others
attempt to use all three interchangeably. By splitting or combining, fascination
or curiosity draws in certain readers, however very few actually understand the
differences between them, nor the dangers involved. As an attempt to define and
describe these forms and their corresponding subsections, arguments and
discussion points are laid before my readers for consideration and
contemplation.
I
will attempt to give relevant examples from known authors or media (film, t.v.,
or video games). As always, I am open to the possibility that I may be wrong,
so I implore you to engage with a thoughtful, respectful, and clean response.
Legerdemain
commonly refers to real world magic, i.e. tricks, acts, escapes, and other bits
of deception. All of these have distinct and factual explanations albeit hidden
and secret. Tricks, and sleight of hand, and misdirection, grab the wonder in
order to achieve surprise. Acts such as prop magic, utilize a myriad of deceitful
devices to astound. Combining both of these, escapes devise in suspenseful ways
that drama in the audience through peril. All of these are based upon deceit,
the trick, the lie. As a Christian, it is hard to lie to others for the
entertainment of all, even with ‘good’ intentions, trying to tell the truth
about Christ and anything Holy, after or while deceiving the listener/watcher
subverts the very truth trying to explain. For the reader, trying to explain a
trick then explain another version of what they read confounds me as an author.
I do not think like that, I have an infernal honest streak.
“But
Shaun, you conceal the clues of your murders. Isn’t that just a written sleight
of hand or misdirection?” said one of my critics. They are correct. Unraveling a
murder mystery in an author’s way of legerdemain.
Spiritual
magic or supernatural is a lot more dangerous to the soul. Spiritual forces do
exist and have interactions with the real world. From a Christian’s point of
view, demonic forces and demonic ‘magic’ are Biblical. When Moses first attempted
to persuade Pharaoh, the king’s sorcerers mimicked the divine wonders, however,
they were only able to copy the first few. God’s divine wonders outclassed the
human, demonic sorcery by many signs proving my final point (see below). On the
divine side of the supernatural, wondrous miracles occurred through God’s power
to achieve supernatural events and effects. From the parting of the Red Sea,
calling fire from heaven to consume a water soaked sacrifice, to instantly
healing the sick and diseased, The Lord’s supernatural ‘magic’ overcomes all
evil, instantly, and completely. On the other hand, horrible and monstrous
effects happened through demonic influence. The possessed man at Gerasenes, was
able to break iron shackles, and inflict horrible damage to himself yet remain
healthy. Again, through the supreme power of the Lord, evil power was broken.
In modern times, supernatural magic has been obscured through the myths of the
age, such as; ghosts, vampires, and werewolves.
Since
most modern authors use a form of supernatural magic in their stories, I have
turned away from them because whether they know it or not, they are giving the
devil his due. Often evil supernatural is not shown as subject to the holy,
divine supernatural. From a Biblical point of view, all evil is subject to the all-encompassing
power of the Lord. This poses a difficult question: then why does a loving God
allow evil to happen to good people? Without going deep into the spiritual
theological weeds, compared to the most Holy Entity, all the rest is evil. There
are no ‘good’ people. Of course people do ‘good’ things, but they are not good
in their very soul. Even though each soul was carefully, lovingly, creatively
crafted by the Holy One, they were born into an evil, fallen world; the taint
of evil condemns everything and everyone.
“Then
there is no hope! No one will ever be good enough to get into heaven,” cries
the reader. Correct! That is exactly why Christ left heaven to die for us all.
Only though the accepting of His sacrifice for your evil can you be made righteous,
clean, and holy.
Evil
spiritual forces have no power over any redeemed Christian, so where is the
drama? Moral choices will always be character building and filled with tension,
however anything “magical” cannot affect the Christian. There may be stories
where the protagonist can struggle against evil forces on behalf of the
unredeemed person, but that is not my strength.
I
am most comfortable with the Chemical/Energy model of magic. From MacGyver’s
chemistry and Rube Goldberg magic, to the mutant powers of Marvel and Gamma
World RPG (role laying game), energy based magic makes more sense, is more
destructive. In modern times, chemical reactions can seem magical especially
unexpected ones like Mentos and Die Coke, even though this specific one is not
very useful in a fantasy, murder mystery setting. Although, taking the
scientific principles and mixing in deadly substances, a timed murder weapon
emerges. Genetic mutations that result in fantastic control over the elemental
forces of nature are the bread on butter of fantasy storytelling, especially in
comics, and RPG’s. There are no hard fast limits to the use of these powers,
just the will or desire.
Chemical
has built in limitations, i.e. materials. A reaction will use up the reagents
then the effect ends. Hard magic systems from modern writers tend to use such
limitations upon their casters. This is wise because who wants to read a story
where the power never stops or runs dry. All drama can be fused with a spell.
This is lazy, cheap, a true lack of imagination when resolution to a conflict
arises in the plot.
Therefore,
by making magic very limited allows for the heroes to think their way out of a
bad situation. Using the power sparingly, at the precise moment helps the hero
and helps the adversaries defeat the protagonist. There is tension. There is
suspense. Also, making magic scarce concentrates the story into other tech/science/mystic
avenues for conflict resolution.
I
use a mixture of genetic mutation which allows for residual ambient energy to
be molded, shaped, constructed, and manipulated into a set list of effects and
limitations of the caster mastery level to make more spectacular results. Only
a few have the correct genes to become a mage. Then only a few of those can
progress into more powerful energy transfers. Also, when the ambient energy is
used up, consumed, the mage will be powerless. My system utilizes a bio component
and a chemical material charge to ignite the spell. Infused with a portion of
the caster’s daily reserve of controlling capacity, a pool of internal power, the
manifestations of magical effects can be quantified and thus limit. Heroes can
overcome the antagonists through a combination of magical prowess and character
strengths making the story that the more compelling, one I would want to read.
