Series: Consider this… “A Conversational Defense of our Faith”

Lesson #5: Horoscopes, Curiosity, and Faith

Scenario: You’re at lunch with a friend. As you’re both checking phones for email, you’re friend says, “Hey, looks like a good day for me according to my horoscope.” Then based on your facial response adds, “It’s just for fun, no harm in being curious, right?” How do you respond?

Since the 1960s, horoscopes and other related things have increasingly become part of our pop culture. Most of you reading this know your zodiac sign, not because you follow astrological charts, but because it’s so prevalent. So what’s the deal? Is it harmless fun for the curious, or something we need to be careful about? I think the best way to answer is looking at three questions:

A. What’s Astrology’s Origin?

1. The early origins of embracing the stars as influencers, trace back to the Chaldeans as recorded in Daniel. In Chapter 1 we see the story of four Hebrews-Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (the latter three more commonly known by their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego). They were serving in the court of Nebuchadnezzar, along with “professional” astrologers, and magicians. What purpose did the court astrologers serve? Basically, they advised and counseled the king, guided by interpretation of the stars.
2. Modern astrology, however, has shifted more to helping people find a “path” as opposed to outright answers and fortune telling. With the influence of people like theosophist Alice Bailey (1880-1949) and psychotherapist Carl Jung (1875-1961) astrology is part of a broader worldview involving psychology, eastern religious practices, and New Age ideas.

B. What does the Bible say?

1. The Stars – 5 ways they reflect God’s incredible power

• They were created as signs for navigation, seasons, days, and years – Genesis 1:14
• They declare God’s glory as a revelation of Him – Psalm 19:1
• They are a testament to God’s supremacy – Job 9:9
• They remind us of God delivering on His promise to Abraham – Genesis 15:5
• He used a star to direct wise men to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the King’s arrival – Matt. 2

2. Forbidden in scripture – The Bible consistently condemns seeking to divine guidance from the stars (divination) and any kind of worship of the heavens – Lev. 19:26, Deut. 4:19 & 18:10-14, and I Sam. 15:23.
3. Proved Unreliable – The court Astrologers could not measure up to God’s servants in any of the examples in Daniel, 1:20, 4:7, and 5:7-8.
4. Divination will suffer God’s judgment as in Isaiah 47:13.

So how do we approach a conversation with someone involved with these things? I’ve found the best method is asking them questions, listening to their answers, and making comments anchored in scripture. For example:

C. The 2 Big Questions

1. Who do you think is in charge? In Romans chapter 1, Paul talks about how the natural world gives evidence of God’s creative power, and the fact that He is charge. If that’s true (and it is) then mankind has a responsibility to honor Him as supreme, and listen to what He says through his Word.
2. What are you seeking? What are you hoping to find in reading a horoscope or other predictive writing? The Bible says followers of Christ have a guide, the Holy Spirit – John 16:13-14. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will guide us “into all truth”, and in a way that brings Him glory. He will never guide us in contradiction of His Word.

Conclusion: Is astrology compatible with Christianity, I say no. People are searching for answers and we have the revelation of Almighty God in His written Word. How comforting to know that He guides us in a personal way through a relationship with Him. Once we’ve entered into that relationship through Jesus, we don’t need flawed substitutes. We have the Creator of the universe to place our hope and faith in. Be confident in that reality and go forward in His grace. Now that’s something solid you can depend on!

For more info on this topic, check out this link:

http://www.gotquestions.org/astrology-Bible.html