The "Circle Maker" - Witchcraft in Church

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Elizabeth619

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2011
6,397
109
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#2
Oh wow.
That guy is a wee bit off.
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#3
Just goes to show you how many Christians will believe anything as long as you call it 'christian'.
 
R

rauleetoe

Guest
#4
I am.undecided about Batterson's new book, yet i will say this..his book..in a pit with a lion on a snowy day really impacted my life and most likely saved my life...i had been going through a deep depression very recently and a free copy was given to me..its an excellent read based on Beniah, an old testament guy,yes its in the bible..and another book of his, Primal..excellent read..i have yetvto read soulprint or wild goose chase,his other books..but i intend to..I do not see how some can be so quick to judge Batterson because every little thing he uses is not Bible..i am.sure much of your favorite aithors base their works on things like pther christian authors,and their lives..beliefs..writings..or their interpretations or pressumef interpretations..how is that any different? case in point, alpha omega aka james white and his high calvinist agensa..ill take batterson over james white any day of the week,twice on a sunday..
 

Twinkle77

Senior Member
Sep 1, 2012
357
5
18
#5
I have not read his book but have watched his promotion video

1. Mark Batterson says he discovered the legend of Honi the circle maker.
From Wikipedia “Honi Ha-Ma'agel (חוני המעגל Khoni, Choni, or Ḥoni, HaMa'agel), (lit. Honi the Circle-Drawer) (1st century BC) was a Jewishscholar prior to the age of the tannaim, the scholars from whose teachings theMishnah was derived.
During the 1st century BC, a variety of religious movements and splinter groups developed amongst the Jews in Judea. A number of individuals claimed to be miracle workers in the tradition of Elijah andElisha, the ancient Jewish prophets. The Talmud provides some examples of such Jewish miracle workers, one of whom is Honi ha-Ma'agel, who was famous for his ability to successfully pray for rain.[1]”

2. He also said to draw a circle around you/people to pray
From Wikipedia “A magic circle is circle or sphere of space marked out by practitioners of many branches of ritual magic, which they generally believe will contain energy and form a sacred space, or will provide them a form of magical protection, or both. It may be marked physically, drawn in salt or chalk, for example, or merely visualised. Its spiritual significance is similar to that of mandala andyantra[citation needed]in some Eastern religions.”

3. He Says “we will learn how to pray in a new way and dream big”
God taught us how to pray Matthew 6:9-15. I will surely be praying God's way and not some new way

4. He says “You can’t just read the bible, you need to start circling the promises
I read the bible so that I won't be swayed by teaching that is not biblical

5. He says “Your job is to draw circles in the sand, and if you draw the circle, God will multiply the miracles in your life”
Our job is to dray circles. Really?? and then he says "if" you draw then God will - that is not biblical

I used to buy books and tapes from many christian writers and speakers. They have only caused me confusion. The only book I'm reading is the bible and the other book title "Read the bible for all that its worth".
 
Aug 29, 2012
298
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#6
ah, Zondervan is behind it! it is owned by Sony you know, and what they know about Christianity is ......
 
S

simplyme_bekah

Guest
#7
Just goes to show you how many Christians will believe anything as long as you call it 'christian'.
ahhh nahhh I disagree. The Holy Spirit is really good at pointing out the truth when its a lie about Him if you are His child. You get that oh this is way wrong feeling in your belly.
 
Jul 12, 2012
933
2
0
#8
What this guy in the video doesn't realize when he draws this circle, is that what he's symbolizing is:
"what goes around comes around".
In physics, in math, and in sin.
Eye for eye.

Circles are mathematically impossible. Only God knows PI.
:p
 
S

SantoSubito

Guest
#9
Just goes to show you how many Christians will believe anything as long as you call it 'christian'.
If you think thats bad check out this Lutheran church's website: herchurch
 
K

kenisyes

Guest
#10
Honi the circle maker is a legend from the Talmud, the Jewish book of teaching based on Scripture. They sort everything out by who said it, so that you can tell what date something was taught. It's nice to watch great understanding of God's plans in 200BC and even up to 70AD or so gradually filter in with witchcraft after they reject Jesus as the Messiah, until the Zohar and the Kabbalah spin off by the middle ages. The Christians are not blameless. Christian graves from the 300's have been dug up, with prayer-spells attached to the corpses. Christians were studying Enochian magic in the 1600's, and thinking it was okay. I don't know what the book says, but I don't think Honi was practicing witchcraft, just being sincere about how much He wanted what He asked for from God (like Jesus tells us about the unjust judge and how we should pester him), but I certainly agree with Twinkle 77's points 2-5.
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#11
ahhh nahhh I disagree. The Holy Spirit is really good at pointing out the truth when its a lie about Him if you are His child. You get that oh this is way wrong feeling in your belly.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
4 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.


1 Timothy 4:16
16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.



Bible repeatedly encourages us not to involve ourselves in whatever and if its bad just wait on the Holy Spirit. No, it encourages us to test things, to challenge them to be approved of God. Not that the Holy Spirit can't guide us in these areas, but we still have a responsibility to do more than sit back and listen.

Also, there are plenty of things that countless Christians have involved themselves in that had zero biblical support or maybe even went against the bible. Holy laughter, howling, barking, running, and all that 'revival' mess a few years back. Gold dust, diamonds. How about the prosperity gospel, and Word of Faith? All of these things have deceived untold numbers of Christians. So disagree all you want, but the evidence contrary is all around.