The Magical Method

How can we understand God’s inconceivable blessings? How can we illustrate these abstract concepts to a world that is looking for concrete evidence? How can a pastor visually illustrate the change that takes place when a sinner accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord? One of the best methods a person can use is “magical illustrations.”

“Hold on now! Doesn’t the Bible condemn the use of witchcraft?”

Yes, the Bible does condemn the use of witchcraft; but we’re not speaking of witchcraft. We’re talking about object lessons with surprise endings.

When the Bible speaks of witchcraft, sorcery, divination, and the like, it is speaking of the practice of calling on demonic powers for aid or favors. That is NOT what I’m suggesting.

As T. Witton Davies states in his book Magic, Divination and Demonology, the term magic “...in our time, and amongst civilized peoples...means no more than the art of performing clever tricks with the hands.”

So, we are talking about two completely different things. You see, word meanings seem to evolve. For example: consider the word “gay”. Twenty years ago, if you would greet a friend by saying, “You sure look ‘gay’ today,” it would be a polite greeting. Not today in our culture! To say something looks “cool” is not necessarily a comment about it’s temperature.

The word “magic” has went through the evolutionary process also. It now means different things to different people. Toby Travis, a Christian illusionist, states:

The word MAGIC itself is perhaps the largest source of confusion. We can find at least two meanings for the word magic in the dictionary. First we find; “The art of producing effects by SUPERHUMAN means, as by spiritual beings or the occult powers of nature: sorcery; enchantment; necromancy; power or influence similar to that of enchantment.” Even a brief study of the Scriptures will clearly show that what is given in this definition is forbidden by God.

A second definition, however, is: “The art of applying NATURAL causes, whose operation is secret, to produce surprising effects.” This definesnwhat entertainers (called magicians or illusionists) do today. A careful study of every Hebrew or Greek word in the Bible that has been translated magician, wizard, etc. can only be defined by the first definition. None of the biblical references even imply the second definition of the word “magic” as it is used today.

“But, aren’t we supposed to abstain from even the appearance of evil?

Yes, we are to abstain from the appearance of evil. So the question is, “Do magical illustrations give the appearance of evil?” In our society the answer is usually “no”. (Depending on the performer’s attitude and approach.) Yet, in another society, such as one in which voo doo is practiced, the use of illusions may be questionable. The observers there may not realize the difference between a sleight of hand maneuver and a demonic demonstration. But in our society illusions are not only condoned, they are desired.
Consider this: We enjoy being surprised. From the time that a small child
plays Peek-a-boo (which essentially is a vanish and reappearance) up through the later years in life, we take pleasure in the unexpected. That’s what laughter stems from; an unexpected ending to a joke, a slapstick trip and fall, the birthday card that plays music when it’s opened. These are all surprises and bring joyful laughter. A trick is, truthfully, not much more than a visual joke. It’s a visual demonstration with a surprise ending. In our society in the Christian’s hand, the illusion can be a powerful force for good!

“But people don’t understand how it’s done!”

That’s true, but that is not an argument. A person would not reject a ride to the grocery store just because he didn’t know how the car worked. Toby Travis states,

Secrecy is an integral part of my work just as a certain recipe is for Kentucky Fried Chicken or the formula is for a famous soft drink. Secrecy is simply a matter of good business.

Not being understandable is one reason why “Gospel Magic” is so effective. No one really understands spiritual blessings: No one really understands how the vilest sinner can be made clean, or how the Holy Spirit fills the heart of the believer. These occurrences are beyond comprehension. Magical illustrations appear to be the same way. They visually parallel the spiritual truths we are trying to verbalize. We don’t understand them: That is why they are ideal for teaching spiritual concepts.

“That may be true, but we want to see real miracles, not fake man-made illusions.”

So does the Christian magician! He never tries to replace the workings of the Holy Spirit: On the contrary, he wants to inspire people to believe for miracles, to open their hearts to the message of God, and to draw nearer to God than ever before.

As Paul Everett states, “The Christian magician has four goals: To educate, to edify, to entertain, and to evangelize.” I, personally, have found that it is much easier to reach and teach people when they want to pay attention and listen.

“But aren’t magicians deceiving people?”

No, they are not deceiving people. First of all, everyone knows that what the magician is doing is purely “make-believe.” People understand that the magician is simply an actor pretending that something is occurring.

Even when performing for children, I have found this to be true. When a trick is concluded, the first thing I hear a child say is, “I know how you did that!” And then they usually begin listing a hundred different possibilities. They know it’s just a visual riddle for them to figure out.

If the issue truly is deception, then we ought to apply the question of deception to all areas of our Christian walk and daily practice. Let’s look at a few more areas where it seems to be acceptable.

Please note that an “illusion” is when it looks like something is happening, but it really isn’t.

A heat mirage is an illusion. It looks like water is on the roadway ahead of the car, yet it “vanishes” as you approach it. God actually created this illusion!

Women often wear “blush” to make their cheeks seem pinker. Lipstick is applied. Are these women trying to deceive us, making themselves look more beautiful than they truly are?

Some dye their hair to hide the grey strands. Are they trying to deceive us into thinking they are younger than they actually are?

Often people who feel overweight will wear clothes that are striped vertically so they look thinner. Is this deception?

What about the emcee who tells a humorous story in his introduction of a speaker? This is an accepted common practice.

Some pastors use fictitious stories to illustrate sermon points. Jesus did this and called them parables. The Christian Magician is doing the same thing, only he is illustrating visually rather than verbally. Both are using “make-believe” material to relay a spiritual lesson.

Let’s define exactly what deception is. Deception is: “expressing a falsity to be true.”

I contend that the use of illusions to share a message is not deception. The message from the Word of God IS TRUE. It is not false. The message is complete in its truthfulness. Just because the eye does not perceive how the visual illustration is accomplished does not make the presentation deceptive. If we held up flash card pictures as we told a Bible story, the presentation would not be negated just because the audience did not understand how the pictures were drawn so colorfully. Through the years, teachers have used flannelgraphs though it’s hard to explain why those figures stay attached to the flannelboard.

The illusion is not deception. It is a visual illustration in which the eye does not catch the mechanics of the visual change.


The next question which we need to consider is, “Are they effective?” If not, we have no need to consider using this method.

Personally, I use a magical illustration at the conclusion of three out of four evangelistic services I conduct. This illustration is used to discuss the need for salvation, etc.

Churches and camps have recorded literally thousands of people who have stepped forward to commit their lives to the Lord in services we conducted. In each service, magical illustrations were used. I am not saying that the tricks are what saved people: I am simply stating that when the Good News is clearly illustrated, it bears fruit. And that is the true test of a ministry, a method, or a man.
Does it bear fruit?

The success of the magical illustration lies in the trick, the presentation, and the message. They must fit together with the emphasis on the message. If the presenter is well prepared, this type of illustration is one of the most effective means available. I have witnessed that time and again.

Can we understand God’s inconceivable blessings? Not really. Can we illustrate
these abstract concepts as fully as we want to? Well, probably not: But we can move a step closer by using the magical method.

copyright 2008 - Christensen