As part of the blog tour, Becky Miller (her link is on the sidebar) has an interesting topic on her sight regarding magic. One of the reasons that many Christians shy away from fantasy, in general, is due to its use of magic. She has raised an interesting question: What exactly is magic?
In the Literal Translation of 1st Cor. 12:10 the scripture references that through the Spirit some will have “workings of power.” Other versions might call this miracles or completely disregard the term as in the case of the KJV.
If we look at the Greek word used for magic in the Biblc, it is dunamis, a word which means power.
I have two thoughts on this: First, there are two sources from which “workings of power” may be derived–the Holy Spirit, and a spiritual source not of God. It is the source of magic that is not of God, that Christians shy away from when reading fantasy.
Another consideration is that Christians–at least in this country–shy away from any power, whether it be from God or not.
I find it also interesting that many Christians novels that are not fantasy by definition are lumped into the fantasy genre if they hold anything referencing supernatural power. This is not the case for all novels such as Dekker’s or Peretti’s works. But this sort of labeling would lead you to think that we as a whole believe that any supernatural power–good or bad, is completely fictitious. And we wonder why we are a powerless Church. Don’t mind me, I just read Dekker’s Blessed Child!
I’ve listed the blog tour participants including some additional sites here. Below that, you can read more definitions regarding power.
Mirtika Schultz’s Mirathon
A Christian Worldview of Fiction
Spoiled for the Ordinary-Jayson Joyner
Marci’s Writer-lee Blog
All About Children’s Books-Sally Apokedak
Steve Trower’s Old Testament Space Opera
LaShaunda’s See You On The Net
Shenandoah’s Eclectic Musings-Shannon McNear
Meg Moseley’s Megawriter
Stuart Stockton’s The Jerkrenak’s Den
Jim Black’s Bedford Review of Christian Fiction
Karen Hancock’s Blog-Writing From The Edge
More reading on works of power:
1Co 12:10 and to another, workings of powers, and to another, prophecy, and to another, discerning of spirits, and to another, kinds of languages, and to another, interpretation of languages.
LITV
Strongs Definition:
dunamis
doo’-nam-is
From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): – ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
Thayer Definition:
dunamis
1) strength power, ability
1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
1b) power for performing miracles
1c) moral power and excellence of soul
1d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
1e) power and resources arising from numbers
1f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G1410
Citing in TDNT: 2:284, 186
Webster Definition:
Miracle
MIR’ACLE, n. [L. miraculum, from miror, to wonder.]
1. Literally, a wonder or wonderful thing; but appropriately,
2. In theology, an event or effect contrary to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event. Miracles can be wrought only by Almighty power, as when Christ healed lepers, saying, “I will, be thou clean,” or calmed the tempest, “Peace, be still.”
Miraculous
MIRAC’ULOUS, a. Performed supernaturally, or by a power beyond the ordinary agency of natural laws; effected by the direct agency of Almighty power, and not by natural causes; as the miraculous healing of the sick or raising the dead by Christ.
1. Supernatural; furnished supernaturally, or competent to perform miracles; as the miraculous powers of the Apostles. Miraculous, applied to the extraordinary powers of the Apostles, may mean conferred by supernatural agency, or competent to work miracles. I believe it is generally used in the latter sense.
2. In a less definite sense, wonderful; extra-ordinary.
Blessings!
Beth