"What’s your sign?" is a fairly common phrase used nowadays. Often it is used jokingly, but there are those who take astrology very seriously. We all know of people who can’t go through the day without first reading their horoscope. From politicians to magicians, "bag ladies" to First Ladies, there are those whose whole life is wrapped around the movement of stars and planets.

But is astrology a true guide to the mysteries of life? Or is it entirely fabricated, with no shred of truth to it? Can something as "innocent" as reading a horoscope be harmful to a human being? Apparently, Someone thinks it’s serious. Isaiah 47:13—14 (NIV) reads:

All the counsel you have received has only worn you out!
Let your astrologers come forward,
those stargazers who make predictions month by month,
let them save you from what is coming upon you.
Surely they are like stubble;
the fire will burn them up"

Is this just some Old Testament overreaction to a harmless pastime? The following, an essay by Dr. Hugh Ross, astronomer and president of Reasons To Believe, addresses astrology both in the light of science and the Bible. Perhaps this can give you or someone you know some new insight into astrology...

[The following is used by permission. © Reasons To Believe]

In order to unravel any possible confusion over what astrology is, I would like to begin by establishing what it is not. First, astrology is not science, though a number of its adherents claim it to be so. How can I make such a strong statement? Consider the following points:

Astrology...

• bases horoscopes on the moment of birth, not the moment of conception when, in fact, one’s genetic characteristics are fixed;

• ignores the gravitational forces of non-solar system bodies (e.g. the pull of gravity by the obstetrician upon a newborn child is about six times greater than that of Mars);

• treats the various nuclear, magnetic, and gravitational forces exerted by the solar system bodies (e.g. the sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, etc.) as if they were of the same magnitude. In reality, differences of many orders of magnitude were long ago verified by research;

• ignores significant solar system bodies, e.g. Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, asteroids, comets;

• fails to take into account tidal forces, also gravitational differences resulting from the irregular shape of some solar system bodies;

• ignores the motion of the Sun with respect to other stars and with respect to the center of the galaxy;

• ignores the wobble in the earth’s rotation axis (precession) which by now has shifted the astrological sun signs by one or two constellations (e.g. making a typical Leo in reality a Gemini);

• omits two constellations along the ecliptic (the "path" of the planets and other bodies of our solar system);

• fails to provide conclusive evidence of a direct causal link between celestial positions or "aspects" and human personality and interactions.

For these and many other reasons, 186 leading astronomers and physicists signed a statement, published in a 1975 issue of Humanist magazine, denouncing astrology as having "no scientific foundation whatever."

Second, astrology cannot be considered a harmless pastime. To claim so is as big a mistake as calling it a scientific discipline. Astrology does, indeed, produce certain effects in the lives of the devotees, and the prophecies it generates may be occasionally and/or partially accurate. For some individuals its personality profiles may seem fairly precise, too. Where real power is in evidence, it is supernatural; however, it cannot be considered good, or even neutral. Why not? Consider these points from both Biblical and empirical studies:

1) Many astrological forecasts become self-fulfilling; a person is tempted to make them come true by his own decisions and actions. Thus, he opens himself to the influence of a "force" (really a mind or a personality) outside his reason and conscience. And, when this force contradicts what is real or right or best, harmful conflicts can and do result.

2) As a person consents to receive revelations and guidance through an astrologer, or "medium" (one who possesses powers described in the Bible as belonging to Satan and his demons), he comes increasingly under the control of that medium. He may be lured toward becoming a medium, himself. In any case, numerous studies show that the ultimate impact of his involvement includes a loss of ability to trust and care for others, repeated and severe sieges of suicidal depression, and a debilitating to fear.

3) A person who opens up to the influence of astrology exposes himself not only to the consequences described above, but also to the judgment of God clearly pronounced in the Bible against those who consult mediums:

The LORD said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites: "‘I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people.’" Lev. 20:6 (NIV)

Let no one be found among you... who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Deut. 18:10,11 (NIV)

4) Tragically, one who accepts the influence of astrology into his life misses out on the blessings and benefits of a relationship with the God of the universe – a relationship established through Jesus Christ, alone.

Unlike the revelations of astrologers, God’s revelations in His word are 100% accurate. Dependence upon God and His word lead to an ever-increasing love, joy, peace, faith, hope, and other desirable qualities (see Galatians 5:22), plus the countless delights of eternity with Him.

Since the scriptures make clear that God’s wrath will fall upon anyone who practises astrology or seriously listens to astrologers, what about the Christian who becomes involved? Many Christians I know have listened to astrologers or toyed with astrology out of ignorance, unaware that they were flirting with evil. Upon discovering the true nature of astrology, they at once publicly repudiated their former involvement. God completely forgives such individuals and protects them from any further consequences.

For the "Christian" who despite Biblical injunctions refuses to renounce astrology, we have the words of Jesus (Matthew 6:24): "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." Paul reiterates this warning in I Corinthians 10:21: "You cannot drink of the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons, too." In other words, there is reason to question a person’s commitment to Christ, and hence his salvation, if he refuses to sever any and all connection with astrology. To the believer who rebels in this matter, Paul gave a more specific warning in I Corinthians 10:9: "We should not test the Lord as some of [the Israelites] did, and were killed by snakes." Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 4:32—5:11) serve as New Testament examples of the severity of God’s loving discipline.

Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. " Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Hebrews 4:14, Jude 22—23 (NIV)

Sword & Spirit Ministries
P.O. Box 712 • Murrieta, CA 92564

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