Info at a Glance – Astrology
| By: Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon; ©1999 |
| Come on now, admit it. You’ve looked at your horoscope in the newspaper, maybe as recently as today? Surely that’s just an innocent pastime, isn’t it? |
Info at a Glance: Astrology
(excerpted from The Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs, Harvest House, 1996)
Description: Astrology is based on the assumption that the stars and planets mysteriously influence people’s lives. It teaches that this influence begins at birth and continues throughout a person’s life. The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines astrology as “the art of judging the occult influence of the stars upon human affairs.”
Founder: Unknown
How does it claim to work?: Because the heavens allegedly influence or determine our future, astrology claims to be able to “read” how the heavenly bodies affect people’s lives, and so offer helpful counsel about the present and the future.
Scientific evaluation: Discredited
Examples of occult potential: Spiritism, in particular. However, a large number of occult practices are associated with astrology including cabalism, numerology, magic, and witchcraft.
Major problem: As an ancient pagan system of divination, astrology easily traps people in occult practices and philosophy.
Biblical/Christian evaluation: Astrology is prohibited by name (Isaiah 47:13) and function (divination, idolatry—Deuteronomy 4:19; 18:9-12; Jeremiah 19:13; Acts 7:42).
Potential dangers: The consequences of false predictions in all areas of life (finance, relationships, health, and so on), spiritistic influence, spirit-possession, or even death.