CIM Technical Papers

                  A PRIMER ON OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

     Today the tentacles of occult philosophy embrace every area
of our society.  Police departments request psychics to solve
crimes.  College students are addicted to fantasy games (Dungeons
and Dragons) which introduce them to the world of the occult
through role-playing.1  Well-known science fiction writers mask
occult doctrines in their works through pseudoscientific
language.2  Colleges and universities offer graduate degrees in
esoteric thought.  Occult themes provide popular material for TV
shows and movies.  A leader of the women's movement urges her
followers to return to the ancient religions in which female
deities were worshiped (witchcraft).  Even the American Medical
Society endorses the search for the "new" powers to aid the
healing process.3

     In apparent mockery of the waning influence of the church,
one occultist in California quipped:  "The second coming has
already come--only J. C. didn't show up, Satan did."4  This
current interest and growth of occultic teaching certainly gives
evidence that the bright light of the fire of Christian
civilization is burning low.  Once again, as in the Dark Ages,
the evil eye of the demonic is moving in on us, offering
Satanically inspired substitutes.

     This movement from light to darkness gives solemn testimony
to what happens when the church is intimidated by humanistic
philosophy.  Instead of resisting, being the "salt of the earth,"
and setting the standard for society and culture, much of the
church at the beginning of the twentieth century gave up hope in
the battle against modernism.  The result was a renewed interest
in prophecy and a resolve simply to await the Lord's return. 
This was the moment the Archenemy had anticipated.  He and his
counterfeiting demons moved into this spiritual vacuum with ideas
spawned during the "Enlightenment" -- but which until then had
had little influence on the man in the street.  Those ideas were
rationalism, the supremacy of man, and a denial of the
supernatural or spiritual dimension.  Under the nurture of these
philosophies, science and technology flourished.  More wealth was
shared by more people than in any other previous civilization,
but man lost the meaning of his humanity and his context in the
world.  These ideas led to despair, as the philosopher Nietzsche
had predicted.  The denial of a creator and revealed meaning led
to a secular search for meaning.  The pendulum then swung in the
opposite direction toward irrational answers and the world of the
mind.  This set the stage for the current revival in eastern
religions and occult philosophy.  

     In the sixties, young people rebelled against an
establishment that had given them more knowledge (facts) than
ever before in history, but no meaning.  Rationalistic humanism
with its one-dimensional view of life (all is material) just did
not seem to account for all of reality.  Today the young gaze
toward the East, which offers a new (to the Western mind)
definition of reality.  The presuppositions of these ancient
Eastern ideas subtly condition people at all levels of our
culture to deny the personal God of the Bible and to accept the
belief that man is inherently divine.  Because of the deep
penetration of this new occult/mystical way of thinking,5 man
becomes increasingly prepared for the ultimate deception--
Antichrist.  Indeed, we now face an encroaching occult theocracy
in which occult philosophy becomes the foundation for social
order.  Marilyn Ferguson thoroughly documents this in her book,
THE AQUARING CONSPIRACY.  The book's subtitle is PERSONAL AND
SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE 1980'S.  What she describes in this
book is an ecumenical movement of epic proportions taking place
among groups of an Eastern bent.  This movement is called "The
New Age Movement," "The Human Potential Movement," "Cosmic
Humanism," "Mind Science," and "The Aquarian Age."  She describes
the movement as a conspiracy which "is using its widespread
outposts of influence to focus on the dangerous myths and
mystiques of the old paradigm. . . .We conspire against the old,
deadly assumptions."6  She makes no bones about the fact that the
main enemy to progress as she defines it is our Judeo-Christian
roots.

     One of her more notable observations is the impending
mergence of science and physics with the new age movement.7  For
current proof of this our readers need look no further than OMNI
magazine or SCIENCE DIGEST.8  

     In the light of this alarming trend two things are needed: 
(1) an appraisal of the major tenets of occultic philosophy and
(2) a means to combat it.

DEFINITION:
The Enemy's Core Beliefs

     The word "occult" comes from the Latin "occultus" which
means "concealed."  In its usage today, it means "beyond the
bounds of ordinary knowledge--the mysterious, the concealed, or
that which is hidden from view."  It involves such practices as
magic, divination, incantations, paranormal experiences, and the
so-called expansion of consciousness.  Brooks Alexander of the
Spiritual Counterfeits Project writes that "occultism in all its
forms consists of secret techniques of consciousness-alteration,
coupled with secret doctrines which explain the inner meaning of
the experiences thereby attained."9  There seem to be four major
ingredients in occult practice and philosophy:

     THE PARANORMAL -- Experiences that are beyond the five
senses, extra-sensory and mystical.  An occultist will often
refer to a sixth sense (or a third eye) which enables the person
to see a distant accident or enables a medium to sense a
"presence," usually claiming to be the spirit of a deceased loved
one.
     THE SUPERNATURAL -- The actual manipulation of natural law
from the beyond such as psychokinesis (movement of objects for no
apparent physical reason) or levitation.  The world of the
supernatural, like the Venus fly trap, attracts many to itself
only to swallow them up into an occult system.

     THE ESOTERIC -- That which is hidden or secret; the use of
symbols and allegories to hide truth from the uninitiated.  Many
occult sects advertise that initiated newcomers will become privy
to knowledge that has been hidden for thousands of years. 
Historian John Warwick Montgomery says:  "Occult theosophy and
the Eastern faiths from which it derives intentionally state
their teachings in language which will convey truth solely to the
faithful believer and close the door to the profane."10  Some
commonly-used occult symbols are the signs of the zodiac, a
pentagram within a circle, a goat's head, an ankh (a type of
cross), sunwheels, a beetle, the great pyramid, and the mystical,
all-seeing eye.

     PHILOSOPHICAL MONISM -- the doctrine that there is only one
ultimate reality.  All is one and the one is God.  Therefore, I
am God, or God is within me.  This is a foundational belief of
occult philosophy and Eastern religions.11  An infinite-personal
God is a totally foreign idea.  The primary goal of this
religious monism is to experience this oneness.  The method of
attaining this state of cosmic consciousness may vary but the
goal is always the same.  It will involve some kind of
consciousness expansion or alteration.

     EVOLUTION.  Contrary to what most believe, evolution did not
originate with Darwin.  The concept of evolution is an ancient
occult doctrine (the concept of avatars).  Again Brooks Alexander
writes:  "Much new age and occult "aquarian" philosophy is based
on the belief (or hope) that humankind is now experiencing an
evolutionary metamorphosis to a new, improved level of
functioning -- spiritually, socially, and politically."12


TYPES OF OCCULT ACTIVITY:  WHAT DOES THE ENEMY DO?

     Students of the occult frequently divide occult phenomena
into three areas:  (1) forms of divination, (2) types of mystical
experience, and (3) magical manipulation.

     FORMS OF DIVINATION (also known as fortune-telling,
soothsaying, or augury).  A diviner predicts future events, finds
lost articles or people, locates underground water, or reveals
hidden knowledge.  Perhaps the most common example of divination
in America today is astrology.13  Other common types are:
palmistry, waterwitching, ouija boards, numerology, biorhythms,
pyramidology, the reading of crystal balls, auras, tarot cards,
or tea leaves, use of pendulums, interpretation of dreams, and
many others.  Forms of divination are strictly forbidden in the
Scriptures (see Deuteronomy 18:10-14,20).  The sinfulness of
divination lies in the fact that it demonstrates a lack of trust
in the One who holds the future (see Hosea 4:12).  Isaiah 47:13-
14 predicts an end of the astrologers, while Proverbs 3:5-6 gives
the proper response for the believer (trust in the Lord).

     TYPES OF MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES.  These are experiences that
transcend the bounds of the ordinary physical world or the five
senses.  Seeing events as they are occurring hundreds of miles
away or an event still in the future, communicating with the
dead, and soul travel (out-of-body experiences) are examples of
paranormal experiences.  Other examples of mystical experiences
are: seances, necromancy, telekinesis, some forms of glossolalia,
levitation, automatic writing, clairvoyance, trances,
materializations, visions, psychic healing (including
acupuncture),14 remembrance of past lives (reincarnation),
Eastern forms of meditation such as T. M. (transcendental
meditation) or yoga, altered consciousness, and mental
telepathy.  We are not implying that all mysticism is evil. 
Christianity has its mystical elements.  Our relationship to
Christ is a mystical one.  However, the mystical experiences in
Christianity are always tied to the objective word of God.  We
are always to try the spirits.15  (See I John 4:1.)  A valid
mystical experience is always parallel to the propositional
revelation of scripture.  A red flag of caution should always be
raised when one purports to have received new or additional
revelation that is contradictory to scripture.

     MAGICAL MANIPULATION (not to be confused with the art of
illusion).16  By employing hidden or outside forces in the
spiritual realm, occultists say they can manipulate people or
nature to conform to their will or the will of the gods.  Various
rites and ceremonies are often used.  Sometimes they are public,
but mostly they are accomplished in private.  Often they involve
very complicated formulas and specific materials.  Then the rites
are carried out according to astrological calculations.

     One who practices magic is known by many terms, some of the
most common being sorcerer, witch, wizard, or witch doctor. 
Several notorious practitioners of magic are mentioned in
Scripture:  the magicians of Egypt (Exodus 8); King Manasseh (2
Kings 21:1-9); Jezebel (2 Kings 9:22); Simon (Acts 8:9-24); and
Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:4-12).  Involvement in magical practices was
forbidden and punishable by death under the Mosaic Law (see
Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:10-11; Isaiah 47:9-15), and also in
the New Testament (see Galatians 5:20; Revelations 18:23-24). 
The city of Nineveh was destroyed for such abominable practices
(Nahum 3:4).  When the Messiah comes again, the occult
practitioners and their works will be destroyed (Malachi 3:5;
Micah 5:12; Revelations 21:8; 22:15).  Occult involvement
involves giving recognition and allegiance to a power or force
other than God.  For that reason Scripture defines it as evil and
condemns it thoroughly.

ORIGINS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY:
WHEN DID THE BATTLE BEGIN?

     Occultists often make the claim that their religion predates
Christianity and is indeed thousands of years old.  Here we can
agree.  Astrology and witchcraft began in the ancient city of
Babylon in excess of 5,000 years ago.17  But occult philosophy
predates ancient Babylon.  It began in the mind of Lucifer
(Satan) and was first whispered to Eve in the garden.  

     It is the opinion of many Bible scholars that Genesis
chapter three contains the plot for the Conflict of the Ages and
the Drama of Redemption.  What we also find in this chapter is
the essence of both occult doctrine and the truth about
redemption.  Satan's lies, "You surely shall not die!" and ". . .
your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good
and evil" are the bases for false religion.  In these lies are
embedded the doctrines of reincarnation, gnosticism, and samadhi
(a recognition of oneness with being itself).  Some theologians
believe these occult doctrines were propagated on earth before
the flood by fallen angels (see Genesis 6).18   

     The ensuing results were the violence and bloodshed which
prompted God to judge the earth with a universal flood.  After
the flood, these infernal ideas were somehow secretly passed on
until Nimrod, a great-grandson of Noah, created his religio-
political system known as the Babylonian mystery religion.19  It
is the thesis of this writer that if a genealogy of all false
religions could be drawn, all would be traceable to "Babylon, the
mother of all harlots" (Revelation 17).20  New religious cults
spring up every day, with different terminology and techniques
but with the same old Eastern-occult beliefs.  The best modern
example is the religion of scientology.  Its doctrines are
nothing but Eastern cosmology clothed in pseudoscientific
language.

THE APPEAL OF THE OCCULT:
HOW DO THEY GAIN RECRUITS?

     The lure of the occult seems to be two-fold:
     First, as one occult advertisement claims, "You will be
privy to knowledge that has been secretly maintained and passed
down by adepts (masters) for thousands of years and is now
available to only a few initiates.  You will be in the know while
the rest of the unenlightened will have to suffer in ignorance."

     Secondly, you will have power--the ultimate aphrodisiac. 
You will be given secrets to harness a power that will enable you
to manipulate and control an environment that may seem out of
control.  For any person frustrated in the areas of sex, romance,
vocation, or self-aggrandizement, the occult poses as a shortcut
to success.21

     How do people actually get involved in the occult trap?
     For many, an affinity for the occult is apparently inherited
from parents or grandparents.  For an example of this, see the
tragic case of the late Bishop James A. Pike in THE HAUNTING OF
BISHOP PIKE by M. Unger, pp. 77ff.22

     A second method of occult enslavement is by conscious
subscription--that is, by paying dues and undergoing initiation.

     Third, many people come into occult bondage by participation
in what they consider innocent parlor games or entertainment. 
Their involvement may begin by playing with ouija boards,
automatic writing, the pendulum, seances, levitation; or they may
be intrigued by the martial arts, Eastern forms of meditation,
submitting to spiritistic healing, drugs, hypnosis, and
acupuncture.

THE CURRENT INTELLECTUAL CLIMATE:
WHERE IS THE BATTLE TODAY?

     Twenty or thirty years ago dabblers in the black arts would
more often than not be found among the poor and uneducated, or
among the idle wealthy.  At that time, the black arts were not
taken seriously among the intelligentsia.  Not so today!

     One can now receive graduate degrees from several
universities in various areas of occult study.  The nomenclature
has changed, but not the content.  Though the courses are listed
as Altered Consciousness, Parapsychology, Past Lives Therapy,
Esoteric Studies in Transcendental Chimeras, Transpersonal
Counseling, and Holistic Healing, they remain, nonetheless,
occultic in nature.

     What are some of the factors which precipitate such an
interest in the occult in our "enlightened" twentieth century? 
First is the decline of confidence in rational empiricism. 
According to Francis Schaeffer, today's philosophical trend is
toward the irrational and the mystical.23  The Existentialist
says, "Your mind is your enemy."  Today's attitude on the campus
reflects this distrust in science as evidenced by the following
quotes by prominent academicians:  "Science as we know it has
outlived its usefulness" (Harvard biologist Everett Mendelsohn). 
"Reason is a limited skill . . . there is also spiritual
knowledge and power" (historian Theodore Rozak).  "Equally
important are mystery, ambiguity, illogical contradiction, and
transcendent experience" (psychologist Abraham Maslow).24 
Whereas these men are to be applauded for their recognition of
the insufficiency of rationalism to answer the great questions or
to satisfy the human heart, the answer is not to cast aside the
mind, but to humbly use the mind and heart to look for truth.

     A second reason people are turning to occult philosophy is a
reaction to materialism and a search for a transcendent
experience.  Through this search, many seek proof that man is
more than the machine the behaviorists suppose him to be.  The
reaction has taken many forms:  drugs, meditation, Eastern
religions, and a search for evidence of life after death.25

     Third, the influence and increasing popularity of Eastern
religions has heightened occult awareness because both occult
practice and phenomena are integral parts of most Eastern
religions.26  Some music forms undoubtedly deserve a great deal
of credit for the sudden fascination with Eastern thought.  (A
prime factor was the Beatles' conversion to Hinduism.)  Charles
Reich, author of THE GREEING OF AMERICA, commented in ROLLING
STONE, "Rock today is a medium that can communicate almost
anything any of us feel or experience.  The new music is the
chief language and means of communication for people of the new
consciousness."27

     The acceptance of parapsychological research as a valid
academic endeavor is certainly another factor in the present
popularity of the occult.  This field of study is in fact
becoming the most popular on campus.  It began with the work of
J. B. Rhine at Duke University.  Today, even the Soviet Union, a
nation with a purely materialistic view of reality, is reported
to be outspending the West in parapsychological research.28

     Finally, the complexity and chaos of our modern society has
created a spiritual vacuum.  There seems to be a great longing in
our society for the old ways, the simple, the less complicated,
and for many, the old and pagan religions.  In an essay entitled
"The New Black Magic", TIME magazine makes this comment:  "As
organized religion loses its appeal through stuffiness or
sterility, people seeking faith increasingly turn to mystical
religions . . . ."29  According to some of the nation's foremost
thinkers, science seems to be on the verge of a major conceptual
shift such as the Copernican or Darwinian revolutions.  With the
startling evidence of UFOs and sub-atomic particles (quarks),
science fiction is again proving to be prophetic.  Some
scientists are already moving toward mysticism and postulating
the existence of a non-material reality.

AN ENCOURAGING WORD:
IS IT POSSIBLE TO WIN THE WAR?

     Surveying the extent of occult penetration in our society
can be a discouraging and frightening experience for a
Christian.  On the positive side, we know Satan has been defeated
and that he and his demons, along with the Babylonian mystery
religions (occult systems), will be destroyed.  On the negative
side, the Scriptures tell us that right now Satan is the god of
this world, the prince and power of the air, and that the whole
world lies in wickedness.  in the meantime, how do we cope with
Satan and his forces while he is still "free on bail?"  Several
suggestions:

     1.  The more familiar we are with God's truth (through the
study of His word), the more discerning we will be of the
counterfeit.  Bankers can instantly spot counterfeit bills
because they are so familiar with the real thing.  Know the
enemy, but be careful not to become too preoccupied with a study
of the enemy.  Remember the fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).  Try the spirits (1 Corinthians 12:3, 1
John 4:1-2).

     2.  Resist Satan by denouncing him and all his works (James
4:7, 1 Peter 5:8-10).

     3.  Destroy all occult books and paraphernalia in your
possession (Acts 19:8-20).  Confess and repent of all occultic
involvement.

     4.  The spirit-filled believer has greater power within him
than is in the whole world's system (1 John 4:4).  Through the
Holy Spirit, the bonds of the occult can be broken (Luke 10:17-
20).

     5.  When it seems as though the forces of evil are winning,
read the books of Habakkuk and Daniel.  When afraid, read Psalm
91 and 1 Peter 5:6-7.  Seek the fellowship and prayers of fellow
believers and the counsel of the spiritually mature.  To do
battle, put on the whole armor of God (study Ephesians 6:10-12).

     6.  Be encouraged.  Jesus prophesied to His disciples that
the gates of Hades would not prove stronger than the church
(Matthew 16:18).  The picture Jesus paints is a walled city in
which Satan and his kingdom have taken refuge.  The gates and
walls however, are no match for the battering rams of the Kingdom
of God.  Many times Christians read this passage and get the
figure reversed.  Jesus is not saying that the church is huddled
behind the walls with the forces of Satan trying to kick in the
gates.  It's the other way around.  The gates of hell are not
strong enough to prevail against the force of the gospel.  We can
be optimistic.  We must begin to think in these terms, and of
taking the offensive.

                           REFERENCES


1.    For a good critique of fantasy games, see the report by:
      Educational Research Analysts
      P.O. Box 7518
      Longview, Texas  75607
      Ask for Handbook No. 23, "Dungeons and Dragons."

2.    I refer here especially to the popular writer Arthur C.
      Clarke of 2001 fame.  Perhaps his most occultic book is
      CHILDHOOD'S END.

3.    See the "Holistic Health" issue of SPIRITURAL COUNTERFEITS
      PROJECTS JOURNAL 2, No. 1 (August 1978), P. O. Box 4308,
      Berkeley, CA  94704.

4.    "Evil in California," ESQUIRE, March 1970.

.    See Robert M. Pirsig, ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE
      MAINTENANCE (New York:  Bantam Books, 1974).

6.    Marilyn Ferguson, THE AQUARIAN CONSPIRACY:  PERSONAL 
      AND SOCIAL TRANFORMATION IN THE 1980'S (Los Angeles:  J. 
      P. Tarcher, Inc., 1980), pp. 34-35.

7.    Ibid.  See Chapter 6.

8.    In reading these magazines one should be especially alert
      to attempts to "scientize" ancient occult philosophy.  
      I also recommend THE TAO OF PHYSICS by Fritjof Capra,
      published by Bantam Books and THE DANCING WULI MASTERS, 
      by Gary Zukav (William Morrow and Co.).  These books 
      attempt to reconcile Eastern philosophy with Western science.

9.    See the Spiritual Counterfeits Project pamphlet, OCCULT
      PHILOSOPHY AND MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE, P. O. Box 4308,
      Berkeley, CA  94704.

10.   John Warwick Montgomery, PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS 
      rev. ed. (Minneapolis:  Dimension Books, 1975), p. 23.

11.   See Gary North's discussion in NONE DARE CALL IT 
      WITCHCRAFT (New Rochelle, N.Y.:  Arlington House, 1976), 
      pp. 26-28.

12.   Brooks Alexander, "The Rise of Cosmic Humanism:  What is
      Religion?"  SPIRITUAL COUNTERFEITS PROJECT JOURNAL 1, 
      no. 5 (Winter 81-82), p. 3.  This is an excellent article in 
      that it shows the connection between cosmic humanism and 
      secular humanism.

13.   The best refutation that this author has seen is the little
      booklet by Robert A. Morey, HOROSCOPES AND THE CHRISTIAN 
      (Minneapolis, Minn.:  Bethany Book House, 1981).

14.   There are those who believe that acupuncture may be
      scientifically based.  While this cannot be totally
      disregarded, one should consider the following articles: 
      Kurt Koch, SATAN'S DEVICES (Grand Rapids, Mich.:  Kregel
      Publications, 1978), pp. 5-11; Bob Larson, ACUPUNCTURE 
      (Box 26438, Denver, CO  80226) 1975; and "A Critical Look 
      at Acupuncture" by Michael E. Debakey in READER'S DIGEST, 
      September 1973.

15.   Jesus told the Samaritan woman that we are to worship God
      in spirit and in truth (John 4:23, emphasis added).

16.   When we are confronting the occult world we should always
      be skeptical and suspicious of fraud.  However, we must be
      careful not to jump to false conclusions as many magicians
      have done in the past.  The great Houdini and the modern
      magician Milbourne Christopher (see his book, MEDIUMS,
      MYSTICS AND THE OCCULT) exposed the fraudulent techniques
      of many occultists.  But it is a mistake, we believe, to
      conclude that because a magician can duplicate an occult
      phenomenon, that all is an illusion.  It is a mistake of
      overgeneralization.  Some well-meaning Christian magicians
      are likewise guilty.  (See THE FAKERS by Danny Korem and
      Paul Meier, Baker Books, 1980).

17.   Clifford Wilson, The OCCULT EXPLOSION (San Diego:  Master
      Books, 1976).

18.   See James Gray, SPIRITISM AND THE FALLEN ANGELS (Old
      Tappan, N.J.:  Revell, 1920); and Fredrick A. Tatford, THE 
      PRINCE OF DARKNESS (Eastbourne, Sussex, England:  
      Prophetic Witness Publishing House, n.d.).

19.   See Alexander Hislop, THE TWO BABYLONS (Neptune, N. Y.:
      Loizeaux Brothers, 1916).  We do not necessarily endorse
      the conclusion of this book.

20.   For some startling examples, see Bob Larson, BABYLON 
      REBORN (Carol Stream, Ill.:  Creation House, 1976).

21.   Satan's temptation of Christ involved a shortcut -- a
      temptation that would have bypassed the cross (Matthew 4).

22.   See also Kurt Koch's explanation in CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
      AND THE OCCULT (Grand Rapids, Mich.:  Kregel Publications,
      1965), pp. 154-62.

23.   Francis Schaeffer, ESCAPE FROM REASON (Downers Grove,
      Ill.:  InterVarsity Press, 1968).

24.   "Reaching Beyond the Rational," TIME, 23 April 1973.

25.   See the "Death and Dying" issue of SPIRITUAL COUNTERFEITS
      PROJECT JOURNAL 1, No. 1 (April 1977), P. O. Box 4308,
      Berkeley, CA  94704.

26.   See Os Guinness, ENCIRCLING EYES, rev. ed. (Downers Grove,
      Ill.:  InterVarsity Press, 1974), p. 15.  This pamphlet is
      a revised and updated version of chapter eight from his
      book, THE DUST OF DEATH (Downers Grove, Ill.:  Intervarsity
      Press, 1973).

27.   ROLLING STONE, 4 February 1971.

28.   See Shelia Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder, PSYCHIC
      DISCOVERIES BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN (New York:  Bantam
      Books, 1970).

29.   "The New Black Magic," TIME, 27 September 1968, p. 42.

Copyright 1994, by Bill Crouse.
 
Christian Information Ministries is a non-profit ministry and is 
dependent on gifts from God's people in order to operate.  If you 
receive a benefit from our materials would you consider giving a 
tax-deductible gift to CIM.  We suggest $25. a year minimum.  
Send to:  Christian Information Ministries 
          2050 N. Collins Blvd. #100 
          Richardson, TX  75080 

Top of Page