Christianity According To A Witch

Criticism aimed at Christianity has become so commonplace that a lot of believers tune it out. That reaction isn’t surprising when you think about it. Seriously, how many misinformed, biased, or off-the-wall jabs toward one’s faith require a reaction or direct response? However, this response (aka: not responding) to criticism is risky. We miss out on opportunities to share Christ, and we become deaf to legitimate concerns about the Church. This is why I would like to take a look at Christianity according to a witch today.

Which Witch?

We should start with a little background. I live in rural Wisconsin, and I am surrounded by many rural communities like mine. I follow some of the news and businesses from these towns, and recently, I discovered a new age business I’d never heard of before. The owner calls it a metaphysical and esoteric shop, and from what I gather, she would call herself a witch.

The town in which this new age shop resides boasts less than a thousand residents. I imagine she’s met with some resistance. In fact, some of her Facebook posts have alluded to some push back. I don’t want to add to that negativity, though. The shop, owner’s name, and any other personal information have been deliberately omitted. I want to be clear. I have no intention of discussing the person behind the criticism. This is not about her; it’s about what she said.

Whenever someone attacks or criticizes our faith, the knee-jerk reaction is to strike back. Rather than jumping into the mix with hurt feelings and anger, I encourage you to remember the soul behind the words and actions you reject. There is a woman who needs Christ behind today’s Facebook post. May the Lord never let us forget that.

Christianity According To A Witch: The Facebook Post

As I was browsing my social media, the post below appeared on my news feed. The author of this post had been sharing some negative feelings toward people who oppose her views lately, and Christianity seemed to be on her list of least favorites. This statement, though, clarifies her beliefs about Christians, and I believe it’s worth a look. Remember, even within incorrect statements about us, there is sometimes a kernel of truth and an opportunity to understand how others see us.

I am including her post, in full, with no corrections or editing. Let’s look at it.

In A Witch’s Own Words

“I know the evangelicals and others hate to hear this, but I feel it’s an obligation to let them know because I see and hear about it every day. People are not fleeing the Christian god and turning to some other god or goddess. They are keeping God and Jesus …..they’re just escaping…..you.
It’s you…it’s you…the humans that are unlike Christ that make .your numbers go down. The Witches or demons or Jews or Muslims of your nightmares aren’t moving them away from you. I promise. Because only certain denominations of Christians force conversion….the rest of the religions still believe in free will…..Jewish, Heathen, Wiccan, Pagan, Witch, Esoteric Magician, Hermetic….whatever the case…the ONLY historical fact is Christians go out into the world to proclaim their god is the only god…and that’s the phrase that got you all into this in the first place.”

Responding To A Witch’s View Of Christianity

Christianity According To A Witch: Point 1

“I know the evangelicals and others hate to hear this, but I feel it’s an obligation to let them know because I see and hear about it every day.”

I know, I know. She hasn’t even said anything yet! But there’s something to note here. The author claims she sees and hears about the criticism she’s about to share daily.

In our own little Christian bubbles, we tend to see ourselves as “normal.” After all, everyone around us is just like us. True…but there are people, many people, very unlike us. They not only notice us, but they also talk about us with each other. We are worthy of gossip, eye rolls, and even hate. Friends, in the marketplace of ideas, we’re the odd ones.

Take from this first statement that believers are on others’ radar, and their opinions about Christianity are based on the observations and conversations they’re having about us.

Christianity According To A Witch: Point 2

“People are not fleeing the Christian god and turning to some other god or goddess. They are keeping God and Jesus …..they’re just escaping…..you. It’s you…it’s you…the humans that are unlike Christ that make .your numbers go down.”

First, let’s address the obvious. The author doesn’t respect or acknowledge the Christian faith as legitimate. I believe that because she wrote “god” when relating Him directly to Christianity rather than “God.” Additionally, she appears to think we can separate God and Jesus from the Christian faith. So, let’s understand this criticism is coming from an unbeliever with an inaccurate set of assumptions and beliefs about our faith.

Second, she’s actually nailed something on the head here. People are leaving churches while attempting to follow Christ because of the people in their churches.

What’s one of the top reasons people leave church? Hypocrisy! Churches are filled with hypocrites, and it’s easy to see through people’s facades. More than ever, churchgoers are looking for authenticity, and the hypocrisy among church attendees is a major turn off.

We can’t forget another big reason people leave churches. Deconstruction. This is when someone’s doubts and questions lead to fully deconstructing one’s faith, and it often never gets put back together again.

Realistically, the blame often belongs, at least in part, with people in church who cannot or refuse to answer the doubter’s questions. If no one will answer, she will look elsewhere. Why wouldn’t she?

Actually…

The author is missing a big component to the story of people leaving the Church. Many people who leave their churches are not true Christians to begin. Don’t take my word for it, though. Hear Jesus on the subject.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Matthew 7:21-23

O.K., but that can’t be too many people… Well, earlier in Matthew, Jesus explains how easy it is not to go to Heaven. That is to say, He makes it clear how many people aren’t dying as Christians.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

Also, on a strictly anecdotal level, churchgoers who leave behind church altogether but continue to claim Christ tend to stray from the Bible and create a Jesus of their own imagination. I’m not saying that happens in every instance, but after a while a pattern emerges.

Our Takeaway

This witch brings up a solid point. Christian, we need to live a life worthy of Christ, and we should conduct ourselves in a way that doesn’t push people away. People should see Jesus more than they see us. (Way easier said than done!)

However, we need to understand that we are not to blame, despite what the author suggests, for every person who leaves our church or Christianity as a whole. Many will leave because the reality is that “few there be that find” the path to salvation.

Christianity According To A Witch: Point 3

“The Witches or demons or Jews or Muslims of your nightmares aren’t moving them away from you. I promise.”

Shots fired! The accusation here is that believers are afraid of or hate witches, demons, Jews, and Muslims. Real fast…let’s pull demons out of that list. Demons don’t belong on a list with various religions. For the record, demons are fallen angels (Revelation 12:9), and they are defeated by Christ’s work on the cross.

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Colossians 2:15 (ESV)

As for the rest of the list, Christians don’t fear them or blame them for some congregants leaving the Church. Are there individuals who think like this? Yes, I imagine so. Does the Word of God teach this? Are we meant to fear and hate other religions? Absolutely not.

Although there is a movement against the Jews, many (most?) Christians love the Jews and choose to support Israel. Admittedly, Christians believe Jews still need to be saved. Muslims also need Jesus. Believers love them and care for their souls. They simply don’t endorse Islam. Witches, you guessed it, are lost, too. They don’t get my nightmares. Instead, they get my prayers.

The author seems to think that because Christians don’t agree with these religious groups (and demons) that we fear and blame them. That isn’t a Christian teaching, and any alleged believer this witch may have encountered who felt this way needs discipleship or perhaps salvation.

Christianity According To A Witch: Point 4

“Because only certain denominations of Christians force conversion….the rest of the religions still believe in free will…..Jewish, Heathen, Wiccan, Pagan, Witch, Esoteric Magician, Hermetic….whatever the case…the ONLY historical fact is Christians go out into the world to proclaim their god is the only god…and that’s the phrase that got you all into this in the first place.”

In full transparency, I laughed when I first read this part. Who is forcing conversion? I have serious questions. I’ll hear someone out about historical accounts of such behavior, but where is this happening in America in 2024? This accusation tells us something important, though. Evangelism is the same as using force in the author’s eyes. Apparently, “Can I share the gospel of Jesus Christ with you” is the same as coercion or holding a gun to somebody’s head.

Also, note the witch recognizes different denominations and their differing relationships with salvation and witnessing. Sadly, she is like so many others and doesn’t understand that calling oneself Christian doesn’t make you one. Any “Christian” she knows who doesn’t believe in evangelism is either not a believer or has no biblical understanding on the subject. She feels so negative against sharing the gospel that she claims it’s the reason people, even former church members, reject us.

I think the heart of the issue is that when we evangelize we rightfully tell others there is one true God. Hmm. Are we lying?

“that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.”

1 Kings 8:60 (ESV)

“I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:”

Isaiah 45:5

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

1 Timothy 2:5

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

1 Corinthians 8:6

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 14:6

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 17:30

There’s ONE God. Just one.

What other response should a person have than to tell everyone possible about the one and only God? It would make more sense to judge Christians for holding that truth back and keeping it a secret. We want everyone to hear the gospel and have a chance to be saved. We want them to use that free will the author is concerned about to accept or deny the free gift of salvation.

I think the real offense to this individual is that believers speak with certainty. We are certain we’re saved and will be with the Lord one day. Christians are certain that religions teaching any other way than Christ are false. We are certain we are all sinners and aren’t good enough to save ourselves (Romans 3:10, 23). And I assume she is infuriated to be included in that group because I know I loathed being called a sinner before my salvation.

Final Thought

Christianity according to a witch is a great evil thrust upon innocent people. That seems to be the case with this witch and biblical Christianity. If you were confronted with someone like this, could you respond well? Would you remain calm and willing to listen? Could you accept the failings of the Church and acknowledge areas in need of improvement?

More importantly, could you lovingly show her in the Bible where she’s wrong and what is true? You can’t do as the author fears and force her conversion. On the other hand, you can clearly share the gospel, listen, and love her, anyway. We can’t save anyone, but God has given us the privilege and responsibility to share the gospel. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a big city or a rural community in Flyover U.S.A. There are people who need Jesus, and we need to tell everyone about Him…even small-town witches.

What do you think about this Facebook post? Did she have any good points? How would you respond?

Image courtesy of Tikkho Maciel via Unsplash.