Evangelical Christians often encounter bizarre and inaccurate depictions of witchcraft, Wicca and other neopagan faiths. Whether through depictions of Satan worship, sacrifices or other heinous practices, many of these accounts are simply not true, and are misapplied to the faith groups being charged with such activities. Thankfully Dillon Burroughs (an accomplished apologetics author) and Marla Alupoaicei have teamed up to co-author Generation Hex, a new work explaining the Wiccan religion to Christians.
In the first portion of the book Burroughs and Alupoaicei examine common misunderstandings, replacing them with truth. The history of Wicca, the beliefs of its practitioners and an examination of how the occult has invaded popular culture are examined. The subtitle “Understanding the Subtle Dangers of Wicca” does not seem entirely accurate – for Christians Wicca is a completely incompatible belief system, not exactly a subtle danger, and the authors thankfully do not present Wiccans as dangerous people.
To write this book the authors engaged in extensive research, including reading original Wiccan texts, interviewing Wiccans, and observing rituals. With such a diverse religion it is difficult to nail it down, but Wicca by its nature is a pluralistic sub-section of neopaganism featuring beliefs that are extraordinarily varied. Its most common beliefs, though, are spotlighted without fear or fanaticism, and the diversity of Wiccan beliefs are explained. A book concerning Wicca would not be complete without mentioning the larger movement -- neopaganism -- that it is embedded within. Neopaganism and its many practices are touched upon briefly, but the main focus is Wicca itself. The authors provide extensive quotations from Wiccan texts as well as interviews they have conducted with Wiccans and Neopagans. A complete bibliography is provided for further research.
The second portion of the title focuses upon understanding the personal aspects of Wicca. Where do you find Wiccans? How can you discuss your faith with them? How does Wicca compare with Biblical Christianity? Burroughs and Alupoaicei accurately describe the response of the average Wiccan to evangelical Christians, and as such their recommendations for sharing the Christian faith are spot on. Wiccans are spiritual seekers, but are heavily invested in a pluralistic (many pathways to truth and God) mindset as well as a monistic (everything is God) worldview. Many view Christianity through a skeptical lense and are often openly offensive against the faith.
While Generation Hex was for the most part balanced and Biblically accurate, there are some statements that lean closer to pagan beliefs than Christian ones. For example, consider the contention: “While these beings and objects are sacred because they were created by God, they are still distinct from God.” This statement accurately points out that God’s creation is separate from Him, but I do not agree that His created beings are sacred. Perhaps I'm hyper-sensitive due to my past beliefs, but there is the potential for animistic thoughts to arise with statements such as these. There are less than a handful of such statements, and reading with discernment will easily point them out. Even with the inclusion of some slightly off statements this title serves as a valuable tool within the body of Christ.
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Article comments
1 - Dillon Burroughs
Thanks for your comments on our book. Keep up the great work!
2 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Thanks for dropping in Dillon :).
3 - Ken
I might have to give this a read. As a Wiccan, it would be refreshing to see a book about my path geared toward Christians which is actually based on research rather than outright hysteria.
I take exception to the notion that Wiccans and other pagans are "lost" and need to be saved in a firm, but loving manner. I am on this path because my conscience and experience of the divine has led me to it. I try to extend that presumption to Christians, however much I might disagree with their theology or culture.
Still, I'd rather have a good disagreement with someone who is armed with accurate information than the lurid nonsense about satanism which has circulated for all these years.
4 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Hi Ken,
Thanks for reading. I think you'd enjoy this title due to the fact that it is balanced and accurate. I'll admit, I've never read any of the scare-mongering titles on Wicca. As a past practitioner there's no way I could stomach the inaccuracy.
I understand your dislike for Christian evangelistic efforts. Before I met Jesus I had a very pluralistic worldview as well. I don't believe that it's possible to truly understand Christianity without having experienced knowing God personally and experiencing His transforming power - I certainly didn't!
I appreciate your open mindedness to learn more about how Christians are striving to interact with Wiccans.
Take care!
Jennifer
5 - Marla Alupoaicei
Hi, Jennifer! Thanks so much for your insightful review of Generation Hex and for your kind comments. We appreciate your thoughts and are thankful that you have created such an excellent forum here for open discussion between Christians, Wiccans and those of other faiths.
Blessings-
Marla
6 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Thanks for coming by Marla! I'm very thankful for the opportunity to share my reviews here at Blogcritics (thanks Eric!)
7 - Rebecca Davis Winters
Oh, please. This book is simply another attempt by Christians to promote their religion. You may think it is "balanced" compared to some of the more extreme materials you've read, but look at the subtitle: "Understanding the Subtle Dangers of Wicca". According to the authors, Wicca is dangerous. That pretty much sums it up.
What next? "Generation Menorah: Understanding The Subtle Dangers of Judaism"? "Generation Om: Understanding The Subtle Dangers of Hinduism"?
Given the rampant fear-mongering and paranoia of Christianity, I will not be too surprised.
8 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Hi Rebecca,
If you reread the review, you'll notice that I disagree with the choice of subtitle. I don't feel it accurately represents the book's contents at all.
Christians do believe that Jesus is the only way to God, but the authors do not strive to stir up fear in this work, nor do they exhibit any paranoia.
Thanks for coming by!
Jennifer
9 - Rebecca Davis Winters
Thanks for your response, Jennifer. But the subtitle is still the subtitle, and you'll find that most readers do not dismiss it quite as casually as you did. Nor will the Christian church dismiss their continuing fallacy that any religion other than their own is Wrong.
If you'd like to learn about true respect for Wiccans and Pagans, try learning about them without the end goal of sharing the gospel. Try accepting them for who they are - and for whatever religion they embrace - rather than continually seeing them as potential Christians-in-training.
10 - Frank Boswell
Most modern magic is based on Bible teachings of how magic works. After all, according to Old Testament scripture our entire world was created by magic.
All magic, whether in Christianity or in all the world's other religions, begins with focus, good intentions, and faith.
Or, put more simply: "Light a candle, make a wish."
In Magica Veritas.
OT
11 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Hi Rebecca,
Christians believe that God loves everyone, regardless of their faith. It's due to this love that we reach out to invite others to experience a personal love relationship with the creator of the universe through His son Jesus.
In this title Marla and Dillon emphasize the importance of respecting everyone as persons, regardless of whether they come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ or not.
Hi Frank,
Are you OTO? I see you signed off OT, curious as to it's meaning. I wouldn't call God's creation of the known universe magic. He called upon no other forces to create, He created Himself through His Word. In the Old Testament we see magic and miracles clearly delineated. Moses performed miracles, acting as a channel for God's power. The magicians in Pharoahs court performed magic, calling upon sources other than God.
In my understanding magic is power that is not drawn from God, nor does it acknowledge Him as creator and Lord of all. It often calls upon other 'deities' or spirits to effect its work; therefore it is not compatible with Christianity. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. The main question perhaps is, where does the faith you are mentioning originate from? Who is it in? Oneself? The "Universe"? A spirit, or member of a mythological pantheon?
If all we require is focus, positive intentions and faith, why not pray to the One who started it all? The One with the answers? Much more effective than magic, though it does take the control out of our own hands.
Thanks again for stopping by Rebecca and Frank, I'm enjoying this opportunity to discuss this work with everyone!
12 - Rebecca Davis Winters
Jennifer wrote:
"In this title Marla and Dillon emphasize the importance of respecting everyone as persons, regardless of whether they come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ or not.".
No, they don't. In this title, they emphasize the importance of recognizing the Wiccan religion as a danger. A subtle danger, to be sure, but a danger nonetheless.
Calling someone's religion a "subtle danger" does not seem very respectful to me. Would Christians like it if Pagans referred to their religion as a danger?
13 - Christopher Rose
All religions are a danger, subtle or not.
I am actually struggling to come to terms with the idea that members of one loony cult have written a book trying to justify themselves to members of another cult. What a wasted effort!
You're all bonkers, desperately trying to maintain a collection of myths and legends as a way of life. Might as well worship Disney...
14 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Hi Christopher.
I'm with you, all religions are dangerous.
Thankfully a relationship with the living God through his son Jesus Christ isn't a religion ;). It's an adventure certainly, but not dangerous.
15 - Christopher Rose
True enough, Jennifer, but it is a profound delusion as god doesn't exist.
16 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Hi again Rebecca,
Like I've mentioned before, I completely agree with you in that the subtitle choice is very poor. It doesn't accurately reflect the heart of the authors. I've noticed previous titling issues with this particular publisher, so I'm not sure if it's due to the editorial staff or...?
As a past pagan myself I've referred to Christians using terms far worse than dangerous, a fact that I'm not proud of. I have been a mocker and berater of those who follow Jesus. I don't have any lack of understanding about the conversations that take place on both sides of the fence: Christians speaking about pagans, and pagans speaking about Christians.
The fact is that God loves people who are both Christian, pagan and all others as well. Even if an individual doesn't know God personally, He loves us and wants to establish a personal relationship with each and every one of us.
17 - Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family
Christopher, I'm afraid I can't concede that point to you. I was once violently opposed to the existence of God. I was a God hater through and through for many years. It wasn't until He reached out to me in love and pointed the way to Jesus that I came to accept His existence. To deny Him would be to deny the very air that I need to live. Without His life in me, I too would be spiritually dead. I was once, and now there's no going back :).
18 - Christopher Rose
That's where we're different, Jennifer. I'm not violently opposed to the existence of god at all, in fact, in many ways it might be better if there was one.
I'm just not prepared to take the idea on board based on the evidence to support it. I'm happy for you that you are enjoying whatever it is you're going through, but I couldn't take it remotely seriously.
There is a lot more evidence to support the idea that Jesus actually existed, though obviously I don't buy into the more miraculous stories about him.
I'm all for a living spirituality, but that doesn't require either god or Jesus.
19 - Marla Alupoaicei
Hi, Jennifer! Thank you so much for your excellent review of our book and for your thoughtful post. I appreciate your interest and your comments. Blessings to you-
Marla Alupoaicei
20 - )O( Hytegia )O(
I enjoyed the book. It was a god read, as well was your review. :]
I like to see that some people aren't all Witch-burning lunatics with fantasms of God, Gold, and Glory stuck into their minds for making sure Witchcraft is whiped from the face of the Earth.
I do disagree with the title... It's not so much a Subtle Danger. Infact, in matters of the Physical, you couldn't pick any random Wiccan out of a Christian crowd, and the other way around (though the latter of the pairs might be shouting over stupidity or blasphemy). It's not really a "Danger" to anyone.
The only way I have ever had an injury because of my belief did not come from Wicca, but a pair of Bible-thumping morons who decided that I would be an easy target for throwing empty beer bottles with. I simply picked it off the ground and went on my way with a bruise on my back.
But, yes, very understanding book. Great read. Generous review.
)O( Blessed Be )O(
21 - Jennifer Bogart
Oh my Hytegia!
I'm so sorry to hear about your beer bottle experience :(, that's EXACTLY the kind of behaviour the authors of the book are trying to discourage - sheesh.
Folks like that have really missed the message that Jesus brought of LOVE, compassion, and mercy! We're ALL in need of Him as a saviour (as their behaviour evidences!)
Thanks for stopping by, I enjoyed reading your thoughts (I disagree with the title too, not a good match.)