Homosexual Theology: A Biblically Sound View

Written by Kerby Anderson


Kerby Anderson helps understand the complete biblical perspective on homosexuality. As Christian's, Kerby helps us understand the biblical truth and how to apply it with compassion in our dealings with those around us.
The Sin of Sodom—Genesis 19

Does the Bible condemn homosexuality? For centuries the answer to that question seemed obvious, but in the last few decades pro- homosexual commentators have tried to reinterpret the relevant biblical passages. In this discussion we will take a look at their exegesis.

The first reference to homosexuality in the Bible is found in Genesis 19. In this passage, Lot entertains two angels who come to the city to investigate its sins. Before they go to bed, all the men (from every part of the city of Sodom) surround the house and order him to bring out the men so that "we may know them." Historically commentators have always assumed that the Hebrew word for "know" meant that the men of the city wanted to have sex with the visitors.

More recently, proponents of homosexuality argue that biblical commentators misunderstand the story of Sodom. They argue that the men of the city merely wanted to meet these visitors. Either they were anxious to extend Middle-eastern hospitality or they wanted to interrogate the men and make sure they weren't spies. In either case, they argue, the passage has nothing to do with homosexuality. The sin of Sodom is not homosexuality, they say, but inhospitality.

One of the keys to understanding this passage is the proper translation of the Hebrew word for "know." Pro-homosexuality commentators point out that this word can also mean "to get acquainted with" as well as mean "to have intercourse with." In fact, the word appears over 943 times in the Old Testament, and only 12 times does it mean "to have intercourse with." Therefore, they conclude that the sin of Sodom had nothing to do with homosexuality.

The problem with the argument is context. Statistics is not the same as exegesis. Word count alone should not be the sole criterion for the meaning of a word. And even if a statistical count should be used, the argument backfires. Of the 12 times the word "to know" is used in the book of Genesis, in 10 of those 12 it means "to have intercourse with."

Second, the context does not warrant the interpretation that the men only wanted to get acquainted with the strangers. Notice that Lot decides to offer his two daughters instead. In reading the passage, one can sense Lot's panic as he foolishly offers his virgin daughters to the crowd instead of the foreigners. This is not the action of a man responding to the crowd's request "to become acquainted with" the men.

Notice that Lot describes his daughters as women who "have not known" a man. Obviously this implies sexual intercourse and does not mean "to be acquainted with." It is unlikely that the first use of the word "to know" differs from the second use of the word. Both times the word "to know" should be translated "to have intercourse with." This is the only consistent translation for the passage.

Finally, Jude 7 provides a commentary on Genesis 19. The New Testament reference states that the sin of Sodom involved gross immorality and going after strange flesh. The phrase "strange flesh" could imply homosexuality or bestiality and provides further evidence that the sin of Sodom was not inhospitality but homosexuality.

Contrary to what pro-homosexual commentators say, Genesis 19 is a clear condemnation of homosexuality. Next we will look at another set of Old Testament passages dealing with the issue of homosexuality.
Mosaic Law--Leviticus 18, 20

Now we will look at the Mosaic Law. Two passages in Leviticus call homosexuality an abomination. Leviticus 18:22 says, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a women; that is detestable." Leviticus 20:13 says, "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable." The word for "abomination" is used five times in Leviticus 18 and is a strong term of disapproval, implying that something is abhorrent to God. Biblical commentators see these verses as an expansion of the seventh commandment. Though not an exhaustive list of sexual sins, they are representative of the common sinful practices of nations surrounding Israel.

Pro-homosexual commentators have more difficulty dealing with these relatively simple passages of Scripture, but usually offer one of two responses. Some argue that these verses appear in the Holiness code of the Leviticus and only applies to the priests and ritual purity. Therefore, according to this perspective, these are religious prohibitions, not moral prohibitions. Others argue that these prohibitions were merely for the Old Testament theocracy and are not relevant today. They suggest that if Christians wanted to be consistent with the Old Testament law code in Leviticus, they should avoid eating rare steak, wearing mixed fabrics, and having marital intercourse during the menstrual period.

First, do these passages merely apply to ritual purity rather than moral purity? Part of the problem comes from making the two issues distinct. The priests were to model moral behavior within their ceremonial rituals. Moral purity and ritual purity cannot be separated, especially when discussing the issue of human sexuality. To hold to this rigid distinction would imply that such sins as adultery were not immoral (consider Lev. 18:20) or that bestiality was morally acceptable (notice Lev. 18:23). The second argument concerns the relevance of the law today. Few Christians today keep kosher kitchens or balk at wearing clothes interwoven with more than one fabric. They believe that those Old Testament laws do not pertain to them. In a similar way pro-homosexual commentators argue that the Old Testament admonitions against homosexuality are no longer relevant today. A practical problem with this argument is that more than just homosexuality would have to be deemed morally acceptable. The logical extension of this argument would also have to make bestiality and incest morally acceptable since prohibitions to these two sins surround the prohibition against homosexuality. If the Mosaic law is irrelevant to homosexuality, then it is also irrelevant to having sex with animals or having sex with children.

More to the point, to say that the Mosaic law has ended is not to say that God has no laws or moral codes for mankind. Even though the ceremonial law has passed, the moral law remains. The New Testament speaks of the "law of the Spirit" (Rom. 8:2) and the "law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). One cannot say that something that was sin under the Law is not sin under grace. Ceremonial laws concerning diet or wearing mixed fabrics no longer apply, but moral laws (especially those rooted in God's creation order for human sexuality) continue. Moreover, these prohibitions against homosexuality can also be found in the New Testament as we will see next as we consider other passages reinterpreted by pro-homosexual commentators.
New Testament Passages

In our examination of the Old Testament teachings regarding homosexuality, we found that Genesis 19 teaches that the men of Sodom were seeking the strangers in order to have sex with them, not merely asking to meet these men or to extend Middle Eastern hospitality to them. We also discovered that certain passages in Leviticus clearly condemn homosexuality and are relevant today. These prohibitions were not just for the Old Testament theocracy, but were moral principles binding on human behavior and conduct today.

At this point we will consider some of the New Testament passages dealing with homosexuality. Three key New Testament passages concerning homosexuality are: Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and 1 Timothy 1:10. Of the three, the most significant is Romans 1 because it deals with homosexuality within the larger cultural context.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Here the Apostle Paul sets the Gentile world's guilt before a holy God and focuses on the arrogance and lust of the Hellenistic world. He says they have turned away from a true worship of God so that "God gave them over to shameful lusts." Rather than follow God's instruction in their lives, they "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom. 1:18) and follow passions that dishonor God.

Another New Testament passage dealing with homosexuality is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. " Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." Pro- homosexual commentators make use of the "abuse" argument and point out that Paul is only singling out homosexual offenders. In other words, they argue that the Apostle Paul is condemning homosexual abuse rather than responsible homosexual behavior. In essence, these commentators are suggesting that Paul is calling for temperance rather than abstinence. While this could be a reasonable interpretation for drinking wine (don't be a drunkard), it hardly applies to other sins listed in 1 Corinthians 6 or 1 Timothy 1. Is Paul calling for responsible adultery or responsible prostitution? Is there such a thing as moral theft and swindling? Obviously the argument breaks down. Scripture never condones sex outside of marriage (premarital sex, extramarital sex, homosexual sex). God created man and woman for the institution of marriage (Gen. 2:24). Homosexuality is a violation of the creation order, and God clearly condemns it as unnatural and specifically against His ordained order. As we have seen in the discussion thus far, there are passages in both the Old Testament and the New Testament which condemn homosexuality.

"God Made Me Gay," Part 1

At this point in our discussion, we need to consider the claim made by some homosexuals that, "God made me gay." Is this true? Is there a biological basis to homosexuality? For the remainder of this essay, we will consider the evidence usually cited. Simon LeVay (a neuroscientist at the Salk Institute) has argued that homosexuals and heterosexuals have notable differences in the structure of their brains. In 1991, he studied 41 cadavers and found that a specific portion of the hypothalamus (the area that governs sexual activity) was consistently smaller in homosexuals than in heterosexuals. He therefore argued that there is a distinct physiological component to sexual orientation. There are numerous problems with the study. First, there was considerable range in the size of the hypothalamic region. In a few homosexual men, this region was the same size as that of the heterosexuals, and in a few heterosexuals this region was a small as that of a homosexual.

Second is the chicken and egg problem. When there is a difference in brain structure, is the difference the result of sexual orientation or is it the cause of sexual orientation? Researchers, for example, have found that when people who become blind begin to learn Braille, the area of the brain controlling the reading finger actual grows larger. Third, Simon LeVay later had to admit that he didn't know the sexual orientation of some of the cadavers in the study. He acknowledged that he wasn't sure if the heterosexual males in the study were actually heterosexual. Since some of those he identified as "heterosexual" died of AIDS, critics raised doubts about the accuracy of his study.

In December 1991, Michael Bailey and Richard Pillard published a study of homosexuality in twins. They surveyed homosexual men about their brothers and found statistics they believed proved that sexual orientation is biological. Of the homosexuals who had identical twin brothers, 52 percent of those twins were also homosexual, 22 percent of those who had fraternal twins said that their twin was gay, and only 11 percent of those who had an adopted sibling said their adopted brothers were also homosexual. They attributed the differences in those percentages to the differences in genetic material shared.

Though this study has also been touted as proving a genetic basis to homosexuality, there are significant problems. First, the theory is not new. It was first proposed in 1952. Since that time, three other separate research studies come to very different conclusions. Therefore, the conclusions of the Bailey-Pillard study should be considered in the light of other contrary studies. Second, most published reports did not mention that only 9 percent of the non- twin brothers of homosexuals were homosexuals. Fraternal twins share no more genetic material than non-twin brothers, yet homosexuals are more than twice as likely to share their sexual orientation with a fraternal twin than with a non-twin brother. Whatever the reason, the answer cannot be genetic.

Third, why aren't nearly all identical twin brothers of homosexuals also homosexual? In other words, if biology is determinative, why are nearly half the identical twins not homosexual? Dr. Bailey admitted that there "must be something in the environment to yield the discordant twins." And that is precisely the point; there is something (perhaps everything) in the environment to explain sexual orientation. These are two studies usually cited as evidence of a biological basis for homosexuality. Next we will consider a third study often cited to prove the claim that "God made me gay."
"God Made Me Gay," Part 2

Now let's look at another study often cited as proof of this claim. This study is often called the "gay gene" study. In 1993, a team of researchers led by Dr. Dean Hamer announced "preliminary" findings from research into the connection between homosexuality and genetic inheritance. In a sample of 76 homosexual males, the researchers found a statistically higher incidence of homosexuality in their male relatives (brothers, uncles) on their mother's side of the family. This suggested a possible inherited link through the X chromosome. A follow-up study of 40 pairs of homosexual brothers found that 33 shared a variation in a small section of the X chromosome. Although this study was promoted by the press as evidence of the discovery of a gay gene, some of the same concerns raised with the previous two studies apply here. First, the findings involve a limited sample size and are therefore sketchy. Even the researchers acknowledged that these were "preliminary" findings. In addition to the sample size being small, there was no control testing done for heterosexual brothers. Another major issue raised by critics of the study concerned the lack of sufficient research done on the social histories of the families involved.

Second, similarity does not prove cause. Just because 33 pairs of homosexual brothers share a genetic variation doesn't mean that variation causes homosexuality. And what about the other 7 pairs that did not show the variation but were homosexuals?

Finally, research bias may again be an issue. Dr. Hamer and at least one of his other team members are homosexual. It appears that this was deliberately kept from the press and was only revealed later. Dr. Hamer it turns out is not merely an objective observer. He has presented himself as an expert witness on homosexuality, and he has stated that he hopes his research would give comfort to men feeling guilty about their homosexuality.

By the way, this was a problem in every one of the studies we have mentioned in our discussion. For example, Dr. Simon LeVay said that he was driven to study the potential physiological roots of homosexuality after his homosexual lover died of AIDS. He even admitted that if he failed to find a genetic cause for homosexuality that he might walk away from science altogether. Later he did just that by moving to West Hollywood to open up a small, unaccredited "study center" focusing on homosexuality.

Each of these three studies looking for a biological cause for homosexuality has its flaws. Does that mean that there is no physiological component to homosexuality? Not at all. Actually, it is probably too early to say conclusively. Scientists may indeed discover a clear biological predisposition to sexual orientation. But a predisposition is not the same as a determination. Some people may inherit a predisposition for anger, depression, or alcoholism, yet we do not condone these behaviors. And even if violence, depression, or alcoholism were proven to be inborn (determined by genetic material), would we accept them as normal and refuse to treat them? Of course not. The Bible has clear statements about such things as anger and alcoholism. Likewise, the Bible has clear statements about homosexuality.

In our discussion in this transcript, we have examined the various claims of pro-homosexual commentators and found them wanting. Contrary to their claims, the Bible does not condone homosexual behavior.

©1997 Probe Ministries

About the Author

Kerby Anderson is president of Probe Ministries International. He holds masters degrees from Yale University (science) and from Georgetown University (government). He is the author of several books, including Christian Ethics in Plain Language, Genetic Engineering, Origin Science, Signs of Warning, Signs of Hope and Making the Most of Your Money in Tough Times. His new series with Harvest House Publishers includes: A Biblical Point of View on Islam, A Biblical Point of View on Homosexuality, A Biblical Point of View on Intelligent Design and A Biblical Point of View on Spiritual Warfare. He is the host of "Point of View" (USA Radio Network) heard on 360 radio outlets nationwide as well as on the Internet (www.pointofview.net) and shortwave. He is also a regular guest on "Prime Time America" (Moody Broadcasting Network) and "Fire Away" (American Family Radio). He produces a daily syndicated radio commentary and writes editorials that have appeared in papers such as the Dallas Morning News, the Miami Herald, theSan Jose Mercury, and the Houston Post.


What is Probe?

Probe Ministries is a non-profit ministry whose mission is to assist the church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview and to equip the church to engage the world for Christ. Probe fulfills this mission through our Mind Gamesconferences for youth and adults, our 3-minute daily radio program, and our extensive Web site at www.probe.org.

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Spiritual Warfare in the Last Days

by Dennis Edwards:

God’s Word tells us we are in spiritual warfare. Paul says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) What are those principalities Paul is talking about? We know “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Timothy 3:16) Paul goes on to say that we must “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they shall not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and they shall be turned unto fables.” (2Timothy 4:2-4) Therefore we should “study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15)

In the Old Testament the Lord spoke through Isaiah saying, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts, for precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” (Isaiah 28:9-10) Peter in the New Testament goes on to say that we should be like “newborn babes, (who) desire the sincere milk of the word, that you might grow thereby.” (1Peter 2:2) It behooves us to study God’s word carefully so we may be able “to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1Peter 3:16)

So what are the principalities which Paul speaks of and says wrestle against us? Where do we find such adversaries in God’s word? In the Book of Daniel chapter 10 we find Daniel in fasting and praying for three weeks. At the end of which an angel appears unto him and speaks with him. The angel tells him that his prayers were heard the first day he prayed them, however, the Prince of Persia, a spiritual entity, withstood the angel for 20 days after which, Michael the archangel came to help him overcome the spiritual adversary and finally the angel brings the message to Daniel. (Read Daniel 10:1-21)So in other words, there are spiritual demonic forces that fight against us.

In the Book of Job we find more information about our spiritual enemy? Satan appears before the Lord with the other angels. “Now there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Where do you come from? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? Then Satan answered the Lord and said, Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.” (Job 1:6-12) Here we see the Lord giving permission to Satan to test Job by afflicting his family and goods. Later in the next chapter the Lord gives Satan permission to afflict Job’s health, but not take his life. Yet the Bible says that “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” (Job 2: 1-10)

Jesus in his temptation is tempted by Satan. “And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give you, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whosoever I will I give it. If you therefore will worship me, all shall be yours. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get you behind me, Satan, for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” (Luke 4: 5-8) In these verses we see that Satan is the God of this world. Those who want riches and fame and power need only be willing to serve him and he will give them their desires.

Paul also says in Ephesians, “Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:2) Peter also warns us to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1Peter 5:8) John tells us, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know you the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” (1John 4:1-3)

John goes even further and tells us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.” (1John 2:15-17) Oddly enough the warning above compares similarly with Eve’s temptation in the Garden. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6) Paul also reminds us saying, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2Corinthians 11:3) He goes on to say, “For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness.” (2Corinthians 11:14-15)

No doubt Jesus had Satan’s subtlety in mind when he warned his disciples and us today to not be deceived. Jesus’ disciples had just been showing him the buildings of the temple which King Herod had been reconstructing. As they sat upon the Mount of Olives, they asked him what shall be the sign of his coming and the end of the world. Jesus’ first response was, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24: 4-5) He then gives some of the signs of his coming which you may know: wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places and concludes the list with a second warning that “many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:11)

Jesus then mentions that “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:12) Paul says something similar when he says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall… have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof: from such turn away. … But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2Timothy 1,5,&13) So we are to expect false teaching to abound that will even have a form of godliness but will yet deny Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. We see this in a lot of the Eastern philosophies which consider Jesus a master or guru of the first class, but not much different from any other guru or spiritual leader such as Siddhartha, or Mohammed, or Confucius, or any other.

Many different Christian sects and churches also could fall into this group as Paul has warned, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9) He also admonishes the Corinthians saying, “For if someone comes along and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or should you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you are all too willing to listen,” in other words, you shouldn’t be listening to it or accepting it. (2Corinthians 11:4 International Standard Version) Further on in the chapter he says “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2Corinthians 11:13-14)

Let’s go back to Matthew 24 where Jesus was warning of the false prophets and false Christs. He predicts that the “gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14) He also mentions the “abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel the prophet” (Matthew 24:15) shall stand in the holy place. Many eschatology students believe the “holy place” could be a rebuilt Jewish temple on the sacred temple mount in Jerusalem. Jesus then states that the placing of the abomination of desolation in the holy place marks the beginning of the “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21) He goes on to repeat again his warning about false teachers. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, (and it is possible), they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” (Matthew 24:24-25)

Paul has also warned saying, “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1Timothy 4:1) We have seen that here in Portugal many are going to the Reiki seminars to get enlightenment, healing power and attunements to be better able to help themselves and others. A massive influx of New Age books with their underlining eastern religious philosophy has taken place, besides the atheistic naturalistic evolutionary doctrines taught in the schools. Reiki, for example, is presented as a scientific technique to acquired healing and get relief from stress and anxiety. But it is nothing more than the calling upon spirit guides or angels resulting in spiritual oppression or possession. Many Christians searching for more power and spiritual experience fall for the Reiki advertisement and get deceived especially if they have not a strong foundation in the faith and in God’s Word. Catholics and Protestants can both be easily deceived. The founder of Reiki was a Buddhist Monk who spent 21 days in a Buddhist temple in prayer and fasting seeking enlightenment when he received his Reiki revelation. Because it is dressed in scientific terminology and eastern metaphysics westerners fall for it more easily, even though they are normally wary of religious doctrines.

To discern well the spirit behind the different philosophies we are presented with today, it is important to know the word of God. The author of Hebrews writes, “The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Paul says it like this, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2Corinthians 10:3-5)

But we will not have that ability to discern unless we are knowledgeable of God’s word. The Psalmists say, “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law does he meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)Paul said to Timothy, “Meditate upon these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your profiting may appear unto all.” (1Timothy 4:15) The author of Hebrews states, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” (Hebrews 2:1)

Jesus said, “Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23) He also warned, “If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:23) Do we really have the true light of Christ or are we being deceived by “angels of light”? (2Corinthians 11:14)

Having a good knowledge of God’s word will help to be able to discern the spirits. Isaiah warns us not to seek spiritual help from the dark side. “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep (whisper) and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God?” (Isaiah 8:19) He goes on to say, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20) That’s why Paul has admonished us to “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15)

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a good protection against being deceived by “unholy” spirits. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would “guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13) Jesus makes some conditional statements about the Holy Spirit and its presence with us. “If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father and he will send you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you and shall be in you.” (John 14:15-17) In other words, if you love me, keep my commandments and then I will send you the Holy Spirit or, I will send the Holy Spirit to those who love me. You show you love me by keeping my commandments. Jesus says, “If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23)

We read earlier that John has told us to try or test the spirits to see if they are of God. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is not come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it shall come; and even now is already in the world.” (1John 4:1-4)

Paul also says something similar, “that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (1Corinthians 12:3)We can in fact demand that the spirits reveal their alliance and whether they are servants to the Lord Jesus Christ or not. Jesus when casting out demons often found out the spirit’s name and then rebuked him by name. “And he (Jesus) asked him, What is your name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.” (Mark 5: 9) You can also pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the gift of "discerning of spirits." (1Corinthians 12: 10)

Another important point is that you cannot pay money to receive the Holy Ghost. As we have seen earlier, Jesus says the Holy Spirit will come upon those who love him. We show our love for him, by keeping his commandments. God has promised that if we love him he will send us the Holy Spirit. We should ask for an infilling of the Holy Spirit and or be prayed over to receive the Holy Spirit. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13) Simon the Sorcerer in the Book of Acts tries to pay money to receive the Holy Ghost. “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. You have neither part nor lot in this matter: for your heart is not right in the sight of God.” (Acts 8:17-21)

Another account in the Old Testament is in the life of King Saul. At the end of his life the Holy Spirit was no longer with him because of his earlier sins of disobedience. The Bible says, “Now Samuel (the Prophet) was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.” (1Samuel 28:3) Earlier at the time of the Exodus, God had commanded Moses saying, “When you are come into the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, (a form of child sacrifice or abortion) or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord your God does drive them out from before you. You shall be perfect (or in other words, entirely obedient) with the Lord your God. For these nations, which you shall possess, harkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for you, the Lord your God has not suffered you so to do.” (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

Wikipedia defines necromancer as “a form of magic involving communication with the deceased – either by summoning their spirit as an apparition or raising them bodily – for the purpose of divination, imparting the means to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge.” However, God’s people were not even to mention the name of other gods. "And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth."(Exodus 23:13) Later in Leviticus we see, “A man also or woman that has a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:27)

Saul, however, communes with a woman who has a familiar spirit to try to get counsel from the departed spirit of Prophet Samuel before an ensuing battle. The Bible recounts: “And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” (1Samuel 28:5-6) The Urim may have been a stone in the High Priest clothing which was used to somehow indicate a yes or no answer when trying to find the will of God. In Dr. Bruce Waltke’s book “Finding the Will of God,” is found the following comment on the Urim and Thummin, pp. 62. "The priest could use the urim and thummin to determine God’s will in a particular situation. We are not exactly sure what the urim and thummin were, but the priest carried in his breastplate perhaps two sticks or stones, one white and the other black, that would give a yes or no answer to a specific question. Should Israel be preparing for battle, they would somehow shake or toss the sticks. If they turned up black the Israelites would not go to battle, and if they turned up white they would proceed into battle with the knowledge that they were in the will of God. That is one form of divination that God allowed in the Old Testament." We read in Exodus 28:30, “Also put the Urim and the Thummin in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.”

Continuing with the story in Samuel, because Saul was not able to get any answer from the Lord, he disobeys the Lord’s counsel and his own decree. “Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that has a familiar spirit at Endor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night.” (1Samuel 28:8) The woman does seem to be able to conjure up Samuel’s spirit which is a shock to her as well and prophesizes Saul death the following day. “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; and inquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” (1Chronicles 10:13-14) 

We today should beware and take heed to God’s Word which tells us, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1Corinthians 10:11-12)

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Louvar nas Dificuldades

Jesus falando em profecia

Eu sinto a sua dor; sei como se sente. Vejo cada lágrima e sinto os seus pesares, pois nossos corações estão unidos. A arma do louvor se torna muito mais necessária, eficaz e poderosa justamente nos momentos de provas e batalhas mais intensas. Quando eleva o coração a Mim e Me louva por tudo o que tenho feito -- e farei -- em sua vida, a vitória é garantida.

*

Louve-Me por tudo em sua vida, pelas coisas boas e ruins, pelas coisas belas e feias, pelas alegrias e tristezas, e sentirá paz e contentamento que transcendem os limites da terra ou da carne. Se fizer isso, vivenciará a paz e satisfação que busca, e terá forças para continuar lutando.

*

Nunca é fácil travar batalhas. Muitas vezes é preciso usar toda a sua força para louvar e se elevar acima dos problemas, principalmente quando está triste. Mas se alçar a sua voz a Mim em louvor e ação de graças por tudo o que tenho feito, estou fazendoe ainda farei na sua vida, vivenciará a paz e satisfação que lhe prometi. Você irá de força em força. Essa é uma promessa. É imutável e cumprirei com alegria cada vez que Me colocar à prova e usar essa poderosa arma que é o louvor.

*

Louvor extremo significa louvar quando, no fundo, você quer murmurar porque a situação é péssima. Quer se queixar e lamuriar. Sente vontade de quebrar algo ou dar um chute na parede. Está zangado, extremamente infeliz! Mas as palavras, “Obrigado, Jesus, por este problema”, lhe vêm à cabeça. Reluta para se entregar. Sabe que essas palavras são verdade, mas não sente vontade de louvar naquela hora. Mas toda a Palavra que você fielmente absorveu age como uma chave de ignição que liga a sua fé, e o poder da fé e da convicção ganham a batalha na sua mente e então você profere no seu íntimo essas mágicas palavras.

Instantes depois já fala em voz alta, “Glória a Deus por este problema!” E logo depois passa pelos canais da sua mente e sai pela sua boca o louvor, “Obrigado, Jesus por esta oportunidade de ver o Seu poder em ação”. E então o louvor começa a fluir começa pra valer. Talvez ainda sinta dores, o seu corpo pode estar gemendo, mas o seu espírito terá sido libertado para bailar na dimensão do louvor. Isso é louvor extremo. É o ingresso que lhe dá acesso à alegria e liberdade.

*

A maneira de Me agradecer é louvando. Eu amo ajudar, mas principalmente aqueles que sabem me dizer muito obrigado, Senhor.

*

Passar por uma dificuldade sem louvar é como viajar a pé quando poderia ir de avião. O louvor alivia a luta na situação. Pare de se contentar em ter sapatos para caminhar. Embarque no jatinho do louvor; não precisa ter medo de não conseguir pilotá-lo. Basta embarcar.

*

Não precisa esperar 40 dias como os Meus discípulos no Pentecoste. Pode receber línguas de fogo agora mesmo. O louvor atrai o fogo do Meu Espírito. Comece uma explosão de louvor e ficará em fogo!

*

O louvor faz a ligação entre uma situação difícil e a resposta que precisa. É a passagem que lhe dá acesso às maravilhosas promessas que lhe fiz. O louvor o ajudará a atravessar o golfo das impossibilidades, quer seja uma doença, um assalto, dificuldades financeiras, qualquer coisa. O louvor o levará ao destino que escolhi para você.

*

Se usar a arma do louvor vai desvanecer as nuvens de chuva. O sol voltará a brilhar e você conseguirá ver claramente o caminho a seguir. O louvor pode animar o seu espírito e renová-lo, não importa a situação.

*

Uma das coisas que mais gosto é atender às suas orações. Quando usa a arma do louvor e da oração de intercessão em busca de auxílio para uma situação crítica, o processo de receber respostas torna-se muito mais agradável para você. E muito mais agradável para Mim torna-se o processo de lhe enviar as respostas.

*

Diante de uma situação impossível, física, emocional, espiritual ou mental, quando parece que as ondas vão engoli-lo, a melhor coisa é sacar a arma do louvor. Fico muitíssimo orgulhoso quando você acessa e usa esse dom maravilhoso que lhe dei.

Publicado em outubro de 2010.

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Forgiveness Brings Healing

By Jesus, speaking in prophecy


Forgiveness, at its core, is not about what someone did to you. Forgiveness is about Me and you. It’s about Me having the power to heal and restore your spirit, and you making the choice to use the healing agent of forgiveness that I have made available to you.

Forgiveness is for you. Forgiveness is the potion that restores a wounded and broken heart, spirit, and even body. There are other spiritual and emotional supplements that can help one whose life has been harmed by the wrongdoing of another, but there is no substitute for forgiveness to bring spiritual cleansing and healing into a life.

*

When you are wronged or harmed by another person, your spirit can suffer damage and need restoration. Whether the pain was physical or emotional or both, when you are the object of another person’s ill will or wrong actions, harm can be done to your spirit. I made humans to love and be loved, and positive or negative forces between people have an effect. Love is creative, whereas malice and hatred and lack of love are destructive.

It is human nature, and a spiritual law, that an injury that is done to you hurts you—not just on the surface, but deep down. It affects your spirit. And part of the solution, the healing potion, is forgiveness. There are other factors that will speed your healing—such as seeking Me, My Word, My comfort. But you cannot find full healing until you forgive. It’s not something that can be quantified in terms of logic, but it is a spiritual law. Forgiveness is a healing agent. Love creates. Salvation redeems. Forgiveness heals and restores.

There are many questions that might come to mind when you are dealing with a wrong that was done to you. But when you find yourself in a position where you have been harmed by the wrongs or mistakes of others—whether in a small or large way, whether by intention or mishap, and no matter what the complexities and nuances—the path to resolution remains wrapped in the package of forgiveness. There is simply no other way to fully heal the wounds of the spirit and to restore it and make it whole.

There are often other factors, needs, and decisions that an individual will have to face on the path to forgiveness. There can be many steps toward healing, and some involve communication and understanding in the form of finding out what happened, or enlightening other parties as to what happened, dialogue and discussion and reconciliation. There are also times when the greatest manifestation of forgiveness is silence. The steps to be taken when forgiving are a personal matter and are something that each of My brides must find through communing with Me.

But the choice and act of forgiveness is the vital ingredient. Other things play a minor part in comparison. They are supporting agents, or ways to enact the forgiveness, or to assist in the healing. Forgiveness itself, however, is a choice of the heart. It is a conscious act of the spirit. It is a channeling of divine power.

*

Forgiveness becomes harder once you have let yourself become hardened or resentful toward a person or a situation. The more you hold on to it and let resentment and anger linger, the harder your heart can become and the more inflexible your wall of defense can become. Try to learn to say “I forgive you” rather than “How could you?” Be ready to forgive. There will often be something to forgive or someone who needs forgiveness. That is what I came to earth to do: to forgive those who had hurt others or who had sinned. Once I died on that cross, forgiveness was a free gift.

There will be things done to you that you will feel are unforgivable. How can you forgive someone who has intentionally hurt you? It’s not easy, but there is a way: You can ask Me to put enough love in your heart regarding that situation; you can ask Me to fill your heart with understanding and compassion, and remember the day that I died for you so that your sins, or anything wrong you do in this life, could be forgiven. Then you turn around and say, “I forgive you.”

*

The act of harm that you have suffered will not be truly over and you cannot fully heal until you have granted forgiveness to the one who caused the harm. Forgiveness stops this hurt.

Forgiveness says, “My body and emotions may be hurt, but I choose to forgive so that I can heal—and in so doing I will protect my spirit.” Forgiveness allows the hurt to end, so it can damage you no further, and gives you space to heal and reverse the damage.

Although your hurt is great, through the power of My Spirit you can forgive anyway. The act of the one who hurt you may continue to hurt you, and may always go on hurting you, until you have forgiven that person. Don’t you want to stop the pain?

I know that the call of “fairness” and anger is strong. I know that it seems so fair and right to slip into the poisonous life of retribution and “an eye for an eye.” It seems to make sense to believe that the responsibility is not on you to forgive, but to instead wish for retribution, and to never let that person have the relief of your forgiveness. But this is not the answer. This is hurt that will go on hurting, a knife that will only plunge deeper.

The more you resent others, the more what they did to you will hurt you and damage your spirit. You can take back your life and reclaim your happiness. You do this by choosing to forgive.

*

Forgiveness is the ultimate antidote to the poison of loss, harm, sin, and sorrow. Drink it fully, even though it looks like the most bitter of cures. It can end your pain more quickly than anything else, and those who drink this healing potion will find their wounds healing and their life and joy returning much faster than those who go without it.

I ask that you take forgiveness, give forgiveness, and let Me heal you.

Originally published August 2008. Adapted and republished May 2014.
copyright@tfi

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REIKI SYNOPSIS

A brief overview and critical evaluation of Reiki energy medicine, an alternative health therapy that has grown in popularity in recent years
Written by Michael Gleghorn

What is Reiki?

In the past twenty-five years there has been a huge increase in both the general acceptance and public availability of various types of alternative health therapies. Although some of these therapies may be beneficial, others do little good, and some are downright harmful. Under the broad umbrella of alternative medicine there are a variety of therapies that might loosely be referred to as "energy medicine":


Energy medicine is a broad field covering a variety of therapies from many parts of the world. While each is based on the existence of a nonphysical energy pervading the universe, the nature of the energy, the form of therapies, and how healing is believed to take place varies from culture to culture.{1}

This energy is variously referred to as prana in India, chi in China, and ki in Japan. One form of energy medicine that has been growing in popularity is called Reiki. According to some, rei means "universal," and kimeans "life force energy." But the International Center for Reiki Training goes further, declaring that "Rei" is more accurately understood to mean "supernatural knowledge or spiritual consciousness . . . the wisdom that comes from God or the Higher Self." Thus, according to the Center, "it is the God-consciousness called Rei that guides the life force called Ki in the practice we call Reiki."{2}

Reiki was discovered, or perhaps rediscovered, by Dr. Mikao Usui during a mystical experience at a mountain retreat in early twentieth century Japan. Some claim it is the same method of healing used by both the Buddha and Jesus, although the records of this have been lost.{3}

So how does Reiki work? To put it generally, and somewhat simply, Reiki claims to work by removing obstructions to the free flow of life force energy throughout the body. Such obstructions, which arise through negative thoughts, actions, and feelings, are believed to be the fundamental cause of illness and disease. But "Reiki clears, straightens and heals the energy pathways, thus allowing the life force to flow in a healthy and natural way."{4} In this way, Reiki is believed to enhance physical, mental and emotional health.

In order to tap into this power and learn to channel Reiki one must first receive four attunements from a Reiki Master during a First Degree Reiki training session. These attunements are alleged to open "subtle mental and physical energy systems" that prepare the recipient "to channel Universal Life Force Energy."{5}Supposedly, this creates a permanent connection with Reiki, thus allowing the recipient to channel this energy for life.

At this point, some may be wondering if there is any scientific evidence that corroborates the existence of this energy. Let's look at the evidence.
Is there Scientific Support for Reiki?

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, some proponents of life force energy claimed it was a form of electromagnetic radiation (of which light and heat are familiar examples).{6} Of course, electromagnetic radiation is a real, physical phenomenon of the world in which we live. But should it be identified with life force energy? The answer is no, and today most of those who believe in such energy would say the same. After all, such energy is generally believed to be non-physical. But electromagnetic radiation is a form of physical energy.

Still, many Reiki practitioners believe that good evidence supports the existence of life force energy. For example, the aura is said to be "a field of subtle life-force energy that surrounds the body of every living being."{7} Those properly attuned to this energy often claim that they can feel a person's aura. A few even claim to see auras.

But it's one thing to make such a claim, quite another to demonstrate it under properly supervised conditions. In one study, ten people who claimed to see auras were tested against a control group of ten people who made no such claim. "Four identical screens were placed in a room with volunteers who took turns standing behind one or another of them."{8} Those who claimed to see auras believed that they could detect which screen the volunteer was standing behind. But out of 720 attempts, they only gave 185 correct answers -- an accuracy rate consistent with guessing. The control group, however, gave 196 correct answers -- eleven more than those who claimed to see auras! Apparently, not everyone who claims to see auras can actually demonstrate this claim.

But haven't auras been photographed? One author claims, "Kirlian photography . . . enables us to . . . photograph auras."{9} However, when such photographs are investigated by independent scientists, the images are seen to have a completely physical explanation. Also, Kirlian auras have been recorded for some things not usually believed to have a field of life force energy, like pennies and paper clips. Such evidence casts doubt on the claim that auras have been photographed.

Thus, if there is such a thing as life force energy, it has so far eluded the detection of scientists. Such energy may still exist, and science may one day verify as much. But for now, scientific support is lacking. Still, some argue that "the proof of whether a therapeutic procedure is effective rests not on the gathering of data alone but on the client's actual experience."{10} In other words, if Reiki works, such life force energy must exist!
What About Reiki's Success?

For many people, the most powerful evidence of Reiki's effectiveness as an alternative health therapy are the testimonials of those who claim to have been personally helped by it. Consider what happened to Alex. He was in chronic pain due to a motorcycle accident that resulted in three crushed vertebrae. He attended a Reiki class, and after his first initiation was free of persistent pain!{11}

How does one explain such a story? Does it prove that Reiki really works? While it cannot be denied that there is abundant anecdotal evidence of Reiki's healing power, we must be very careful before we credit Reiki with relieving Alex's pain. "With the exception of unsubstantiated opinion, anecdotal evidence is the least useful...evidence available to judge medical therapies."{12}

This isn't just the opinion of conventional Western medicine. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine acknowledges that there is a "hierarchy in the different types of evidence for therapies, with anecdotal at the bottom."{13} Thus, anecdotal evidence counts for something, but it hardly proves that Reiki is an effective method of healing.

So how might we explain Alex's pain relief? Although there are various possibilities, for the sake of time we will only mention two. First, we must honestly acknowledge that maybe Reiki was responsible for the elimination of Alex's pain. After all, it was immediately after receiving Reiki that Alex felt relief. However, it's crucial to recognize that there is another very sensible and well-documented explanation. Quite simply, Alex's pain relief may have been due to the "placebo effect."

"The placebo effect is the combination of factors that give therapies beneficial effects, but which are not caused by any direct physiological action."{14} A classic example is the sugar pill. In itself it can neither cure illness nor relieve pain. However, when given to a patient by a trusted, confident physician, who says it's just what the patient needs to recover from his or her ailments, it can be incredibly effective in relieving a wide variety of psychosomatic disorders. Since such disorders have a psychological or emotional (rather than physiological) cause, they can be relieved without directly treating the patient's body.

Many studies indicate that the placebo effect can account for a full third (or more) "of the improvements found with any therapy."{15} But can it explain Alex's sudden relief from pain? Indeed it can. Pain can be treated very effectively with placebos.

Of course, some may argue that the really important thing is not so much why Alex was healed, but simplythat he was healed! To some degree, I can sympathize with this argument. But it does have problems.
Should Christians Be Concerned About Reiki?

Most people, myself included, consider physical health to be good and valuable. All things being equal, it's better to be healthy than sick. But if this is so, then does it really matter how, or why, the sick are healed? Isn't the only important thing simply that they're healed? And how can anyone object to Reiki if it helps accomplish this?

These are important questions and they deserve a sympathetic response. But first, let's consider an important question: Is physical health always preferable to sickness? After all, most people consider such qualities as compassion, patience, courage, and love to be great and noble virtues. But what if there were people who could only acquire such virtues through the pain and suffering brought on by physical illness? So long as they're healthy, they will lack these virtues. But if they're sick, they will acquire them. Let me suggest that if you truly value these virtues, you might decide that it's better to be morally and spiritually healthy (though physically sick), than physically healthy alone.

Let's now return to our initial question. Does it really matter if, how, and why Reiki works? I think it does. Suppose there is no genuine power in Reiki. Suppose it "works" merely as a placebo. In that case, would you want to send a loved one to a Reiki practitioner to be treated for strep throat? Without proper treatment this would likely result in rheumatic fever, permanent heart disease, and maybe even death. Real antibiotics are needed; a placebo cannot cure this kind of infection.{16} Under circumstances such as these, I suspect that no one would want their loved ones treated by Reiki alone.

But now suppose that there is genuine power in Reiki. Is it not important to know where this power comes from and what it is? What if Reiki offers physical health only at the expense of spiritual health? Should Christians be concerned about this?

The International Center for Reiki Training describes Reiki as "spiritually guided life force energy."{17} After receiving the necessary attunements, a Reiki practitioner can channel this energy for life. The Center describes the attunement process as "a powerful spiritual experience" that "is guided by the Rei or God-consciousness." What's more, this experience "is also attended by Reiki guides and other spiritual beings who help implement the process."{18}

What are Christians to make of this? Should we be concerned about the nature of this attunement process? Exactly who, or what, are these Reiki spirit guides? Should we be cautious about becoming involved with these spirits? Or should we simply trust that they're doing God's work? After all, doesn't all healing come from God?
Does All Healing Come From God?

Does all healing come from God? The International Center for Reiki Training declares that "Reiki comes from God."{19} But if we read the material on their Web site, we see that the Center advocates an Eastern or New Age view of "God." This view is radically different from that of the Bible. For example, the Center equates "God" with man's Higher Self, thus blurring the distinction between God and humanity that is taught in the Bible. Practically speaking, this difference between the God of the Bible and the "God" of Eastern or New Age philosophy means that adherents of these two systems are asserting something very different when they claim to have been healed by God.

The God of the Bible is a personal being, capable of miraculously healing people according to His will (Exod. 15:26). Nevertheless, the Bible does not teach that all signs and wonders come from God. On the contrary, Jesus warned His disciples that in the last days there would be false Christs and false prophets who would show great signs and wonders (Matt. 24:24). In his second letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul linked such events to the power of Satan (2 Thess. 2:9).

But does Satan have the power to perform marvelous healings? Indeed, it appears that he might. In Revelation 13 we learn that after receiving power from Satan, the beast is healed of a near-fatal head wound (vv. 2-3). The context seems to imply that this amazing healing is the work of Satan. From a biblical perspective, this raises an important question about the healing power of Reiki. Exactly where does this healing energy come from?

We've already seen that there is not convincing evidence to regard this energy as a physical phenomenon. Biblically, this seems to leave only two main options. Either the energy comes from God, or it does not. Although the International Center for Reiki Training declares that "Reiki comes from God," we've already seen that this cannot be the God of the Bible. Is it possible, then, that the source of this energy is demonic?

As I mentioned previously, the ability to channel life force energy involves first going through an attunement process. The Center claims that these attunements are attended "by Reiki guides and other spiritual beings who help implement the process."{20} Is it possible that by involving themselves with spirit guides, Reiki practitioners may unwittingly be opening themselves, as well as their patients, to demonic influences? Although it may not be possible to categorically affirm that the source of Reiki energy medicine is demonic, the Bible, in condemning all forms of spiritism, does seem to at least allow for this possibility (see Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Deut. 18:9-14; Acts 16:16-18). Therefore, it seems to me that Christians should take the wiser, safer, and probably even healthier course of action, and carefully avoid all involvement with Reiki energy medicine.
Notes



1. Donald O'Mathuna & Walt Larimore, Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2001), 193.

2. "Reiki FAQ: What is Reiki?" at www.reiki.org/FAQ/WhatIsReiki.html.

3. Gary P. Stewart, et al. Basic Questions on Alternative Medicine: What is Good and What is Not? (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1998), 61.

4. "Reiki FAQ: How Does Reiki Work?" at www.reiki.org/FAQ/HowDoesReikiWork.html.

5. David F. Vennells, Reiki for Beginners: Mastering Natural Healing Techniques (St. Paul, Minn.: Llewellyn Publications, 2000), 41-42.

6. Mathuna & Larimore, Alternative Medicine, 195. I have relied heavily on the chapter on "Energy Medicine," pp. 193-99, in this section.

7. Vennells, Reiki for Beginners, 106.

8. Mathuna & Larimore, Alternative Medicine, 197.

9. Vennells, Reiki for Beginners, 106.

10. Libby Barnett, Maggie Chambers and Susan Davidson, Reiki Energy Medicine (Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press, 1996), 15.

11. Ibid., 29.

12. Mathuna & Larimore, Alternative Medicine, 115. I have relied heavily on chapter 10, "How Science Tests Therapies and Remedies," in this section.

13. Ibid., 116.

14. Ibid., 118.

15. Ibid., 124.

16. John Ankerberg and John Weldon, Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs (Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House Publishers, 1996), 487.

17. "Reiki FAQ: What is Reiki?" at www.reiki.org/FAQ/WhatIsReiki.html.

18. "Reiki FAQ: Learning Reiki" at www.reiki.org/FAQ/LearningReiki.html.

19. "Reiki FAQ: What is Reiki?" at www.reiki.org/FAQ/WhatIsReiki.html.

20. "Reiki FAQ: Learning Reiki" at www.reiki.org/FAQ/LearningReiki.html.

© 2005 Probe Ministries






ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michael Gleghorn is a research associate with Probe Ministries. He holds a B.A. in psychology from Baylor University and a Th.M. in systematic theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Before coming on staff with Probe, Mr. Gleghorn taught history and theology at Christway Academy. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his family live in the Dallas area.


ABOUT PROBE MINISTRIES Probe Ministries is a non-profit ministry whose mission is to present the Gospel to communities, nationally and internationally, by providing life-long opportunities to integrate faith and learning through balanced, biblically based scholarship, training people to love God by renewing their minds and equipping the Church to engage the world for Christ. Further information about Probe's materials and ministry may be obtained by contacting:

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