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By Editor- Peter Jones On Global Wizardry: Techniques of Pagan Spirituality and a Christian Response (First) [Paperback]
This edited compendium of a 2008 think tank contains the work of eighteen authors. Edited by Peter Jones, On Global Wizardry examines pagan spiritual techniques from Brazil, Canada, China, Africa, the US, and from the ancient Gnostics and Canaanites. These diverse practices are all tied to the same One-ism - the worship of creation as a self-contained divine being. Christianity is the only other Two-ism, which worships the Creator, Redeemer and Consummator, distinct from his creation, but reconciled to it through the cross of Jesus Christ. Even in the church, this essential distinction is not always understood. This book will train you to recognize pagan worship techniques found in films, books, magazines, therapeutic approaches or methods even your Christian friends or church leaders may suggest for getting close to God. When you've finished this book, you will better understand your culture, your faith and your God.
Unknown Binding
First published March 1, 2010
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About the author
Peter R. Jones
23 books14 followersPeter Jones (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is the author of many books, including One or Two: Seeing a World of Difference, The God of Sex: How Spirituality Defines Your Sexuality, and The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back: An Old Heresy for the New Age. He is the executive director of truthXchange and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 13, 2014
Peter Jones understands postmodern culture and has a particular interest in warning the church about the pernicious influence of neo-paganism. His newest book, On Global Wizardry, continues to alert Christ-followers and equips them to respond in a biblically appropriate way.
Jones edits this work and relies on a host of experts to assist him in confronting and responding to neo-paganism. Jones sets forth the thesis: “If, as contemporary thought contends, all religions are the same, then the spirituality of all those religions is also essentially the same, whether in its Easter or ‘primitive’ versions or in its Western ‘interfaith version.” Therefore, the reader must ask himself, “Will we worship Nature or the God who created nature?”
The topics include a description and response to a host of worldviews including Witchcraft, Chinese spirituality, Syncretism, Gnosticism, Kabbalah, Astrology, Shamanism, and more.
Andrew Young is a fine example of a Christian responding appropriately to neo-paganism: He writes, “Mystical techniques and the inward journey have no place in true biblical spirituality. If there is reality experienced in such things, it is a reality other than that promised in the gospel … Christian spirituality, consequently does not journey inward in search of an immediate experience of oneness with God. Instead, through the indwelling Holy Spirit it looks toward Christ and through him to the Father. Contemplative mysticism is not the path of biblical spirituality; faith-based relationship with the Triune God is.”
The final chapter by Jones is very helpful. Dr. Jones invites readers to discern truth from error by setting up an antithesis. He illustrates by pointing to the apostle Paul who declares an antithesis in 2 Corinthians:
“What partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?”
“What fellowship has light with darkness?”
“What accord has Christ with Belial?”
“What portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”
“What agreement has the temple of God with idols?”
Jones adds, “Human thinking is idolatrous or autonomous because it raises itself to the level of ultimate truth, a place only the mind of God can occupy. As creatures, we see a miniscule piece of the cosmos. Of God, we see nothing, except what God chooses to reveal.”
Every parent should read this book. It steers clear from legalism. It educates and informs. It encourages cultural engagement. And it challenges neo-paganism from many angles. On Global Wizardry is a call for Christ-followers to reclaim lost ground. It is time for the people of God to affirm and defend the Creator-creature distinction and penetrate a lost world with the saving message of the gospel.
www.baldreformer.wordpress.com
Jones edits this work and relies on a host of experts to assist him in confronting and responding to neo-paganism. Jones sets forth the thesis: “If, as contemporary thought contends, all religions are the same, then the spirituality of all those religions is also essentially the same, whether in its Easter or ‘primitive’ versions or in its Western ‘interfaith version.” Therefore, the reader must ask himself, “Will we worship Nature or the God who created nature?”
The topics include a description and response to a host of worldviews including Witchcraft, Chinese spirituality, Syncretism, Gnosticism, Kabbalah, Astrology, Shamanism, and more.
Andrew Young is a fine example of a Christian responding appropriately to neo-paganism: He writes, “Mystical techniques and the inward journey have no place in true biblical spirituality. If there is reality experienced in such things, it is a reality other than that promised in the gospel … Christian spirituality, consequently does not journey inward in search of an immediate experience of oneness with God. Instead, through the indwelling Holy Spirit it looks toward Christ and through him to the Father. Contemplative mysticism is not the path of biblical spirituality; faith-based relationship with the Triune God is.”
The final chapter by Jones is very helpful. Dr. Jones invites readers to discern truth from error by setting up an antithesis. He illustrates by pointing to the apostle Paul who declares an antithesis in 2 Corinthians:
“What partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?”
“What fellowship has light with darkness?”
“What accord has Christ with Belial?”
“What portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”
“What agreement has the temple of God with idols?”
Jones adds, “Human thinking is idolatrous or autonomous because it raises itself to the level of ultimate truth, a place only the mind of God can occupy. As creatures, we see a miniscule piece of the cosmos. Of God, we see nothing, except what God chooses to reveal.”
Every parent should read this book. It steers clear from legalism. It educates and informs. It encourages cultural engagement. And it challenges neo-paganism from many angles. On Global Wizardry is a call for Christ-followers to reclaim lost ground. It is time for the people of God to affirm and defend the Creator-creature distinction and penetrate a lost world with the saving message of the gospel.
www.baldreformer.wordpress.com
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