Explaining Jesus to those who practice Wicca
From S. R., 2003: Many in the Wicca faith are very in tune with nature. It is Wiccan belief that their god is in all creation. Most wiccans will be very respectful to all of nature. Magick in the religion has been called “The science of the control of the secret forces of nature” (Walker). Many wiccans perform ceremonies that will allow them to have control over nature. The spells that they perform are a way of channeling their “divine selves, or own energies” to create the change that they want in the environment around them (Walker and CPN). This could be for a healing, for rain, snow, sunshine, personal wants, or wants for those around them. Most spells are about the same things that most Christians pray for.
Knowing that witches are very in tune with nature, use this as a handle to begin to talk about Jesus. Tell your Wiccan friend that your God, Jesus, lived on the earth and had control over nature without having to cast spells. There are many stories in the bible about Jesus’ control over nature. Read one of the accounts of Jesus calming the storm to show that he had control over the wind and rain. Emphasis the reaction of the disciples, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the waters and they obey him” (Luke 8:25). The story of Jesus walking on water (Matt 14:22-32) is another account of Jesus’ power over wind and water. To show his power over plants in creation read the account of Jesus and the fig tree, “Jesus said [to the fig tree] ‘may you never bear fruit again!’ Immediately the tree withered” (Matt 21:19). The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44) is another powerful story of the power of Jesus over creation.
One of the most vital stories of the power of Jesus over creation is the story of his death. The earth responded violently to the death of Jesus. Matthew tells of the earth shaking and rocks splitting (27:51). One of the beliefs in the Wicca religion is that the god of the religion chose the sun as his symbol. In the account of the death of Jesus the sun darkens. Luke writes, “It was now the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shinning” (23:44-45). Use this account to show that the fact that Jesus was killed was such a momentous occasion in human history that the sun stopped shinning. This is significant based on the fact that the one Wiccan Deity is supposed to be symbolized by the sun.
Another belief of Wicca is reincarnation. Explain to them that Jesus’ soul did come back from the dead but it was resurrected into the same body that he had before he died. He did not go through the complete cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. He was not born again yet he came back to earth. It is a common belief that after a person dies his or her soul goes to a place where the soul reviews the past life with the deities (Life after Death). Make clear this is not what happened to Jesus. Tell them it is your belief that when Jesus rose from the dead he conquered death for all humans who believe in him. This means you can rejoin the God who created you when you die. Explain to them you know exactly where you are going when you die because of Jesus. This is also a different concept to a wiccan. Because they believe in reincarnation they do not know where they go after death. Let them know that death does not scare you because you know exactly where you are going. Just like Jesus rose from the dead you will rise and join him in heaven and live in perfect harmony with the God that created you.
Works Cited
“The Deities.” Catalina Silvermoon. 1998
The Quest Study Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.
Walker, Wren. “About Magick.” The Witches Voice. 16 July 2002.
<http://www.witchvox.com/basics/magic.html>.
— and CPN. “Witch/Wiccan F.A.Q.s” The Witches Voice. 16 July 2002.
<http://www.witchvox.com/basics/magic.html>.