How to Counter the Rise of Shamanism

...If such engagement becomes popular among believers, it could offer an orthodox alternative to shamanism that draws the attention of many sinners to Christ. First though, Christians must overcome their fear of the spirit realm, learn how to differentiate between biblical practices and shamanistic ones, and gain a recognition of how those in some circles are already operating in the supernatural in exemplary ways. This will lead to the formation of a healthy and successful spirituality which can effectively counter the influence of shamanism in the Western world.

Freedom to Engage

In the 1980's John Wimber, a major leader in the Vineyard Movement, taught extensively on the need for Christians to deal boldly with spiritual power. He made the case that evangelicals can rely on the Holy Spirit to regularly work mighty miracles, and that by doing so many demonic spirits would become confronted through Christian ministry. The term “power encounter” was central to Wimber's theology, and it indicated that conflicts between one spiritual ruler and another were inevitable in the life of a person living like Jesus. Such encounters would be manifested by signs and wonders like exorcisms, prophetic revelations, and divine healing. Ultimately, nothing could hinder such occurrences from becoming normal in a saint's lifestyle if he or she was walking in the fullness of faith.

Wimber argued that God's people need not fear the spirit world, for God has given Christ's followers liberty to walk in it. Just like Jesus' disciples in Luke 9:1-2, Christians have been delegated “power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.” Wimber explains, “Power is the ability, the might, and the strength to complete a given task. Authority is the right to use the power of God.” Since the Spirit-filled Church has been endowed with power from on high (Acts 1:8), believers are now licensed and capable to minister in a fashion similar to Christ. Jesus Himself said that such would be possible, promising in John 14:12, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also.” In this verse He goes even further to declare, “and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” So there ought to be no hesitance for modern disciples to learn how to operate in the realm of wonder-working power.

Further, Christians are not only allowed to enter this realm of power, but should be motivated to by a strong sense of purpose. The reason for doing so is to reveal Christ's lordship over other spirits. Miraculous signs give great evidence of Jesus' messiahship, as Wimber explains, “First [Jesus] preached...Then He cast out demons, healed the sick and raised the dead - which proved He was the presence of the Kingdom, the Anointed One.” Since Jesus used such phenomena to support His message, so should all who model their lives after Him. Like Paul, contemporary ministers should be able to testify, “my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” (1 Corinthians 2:4). Mystical experiences can actually help to make known the reality of Yahweh's supremacy over the forces of darkness, therefore there is necessity for these happenings to become more common.

Separating the Good From the Evil

Many Christians refrain from involvement in the spiritual word though, as Jame Sire made clear. He stated, “when Christianity permeates a society the spirit world seems to go into hiding.” This is not necessarily because angels and demons are no longer moving in such areas, but because many believers do not recognize their presence. As Sire admits, “Theism, like animism, affirms the existence of spirits,” but he claims that “biblical teaching about this spirit world is sketchy, and what there is is often cast in the form of...warnings not to toy with the realm of spirits.” However, as already illustrated, there is significant evidence from the Scriptures that such involvement in the spirit realm is allowed by God. The danger comes for Christians when they do not understand how to differentiate between the work of God's Holy Spirit and those spirits which shamans use. The two source of power are very contrasting in their nature, and only one is safe to be utilized.

Shamans are people who use a variety of means to operate in the supernatural, ranging from blood sacrifices to magic crystals to psychic predictions. Much of their power is based on rituals that gain the favor of spiritual creatures. Christians, however, always rely on the Lord to provide for them. Rather than working with a variety of hosts to meet their needs, believers have one Master who reigns over all creation. In their Survey of the Old Testament, Andrew Hill and John Walton discuss the difference between Yahweh's nature and that of other powers served by heathen peoples. Concerning Hebrew worship, they write, “in Israel there was no belief that individual gods were associated with each of the functional aspects of the cosmos. Instead, one God was responsible for establishing all the roles in the cosmos.” In other words, the Christian theist's Deity is sovereign. He is not limited in influence as the demigods of shamanism are, and because of this He be cannot be manipulated by man's attempts to please Him. Instead, Christians must learn to cooperate with His purposes in order to accomplish the miraculous.

Dr. Paula Price, the author of a text on organized prophetic ministry, offers an extensive list of traits that make Spirit-led operations unique from that of psychics (which are a form of shamans). Many of her points re-enforce the need for evangelical power-brokers to be humble before a supreme God. She says that the mysticism of heretics “exalts the primacy of man, eliminates sanctification, is self-serving and indulgent, ignores the cross and salvation, [and] fosters demonism – painting it as benevolent.” Such characteristics are expected of a New Age groups such as shamans. All New Agers hold that “the self is the kingpin, the prime reality.”

The “faith” that some shamans claim to use to change their world is not necessarily faith in Christ's work, but faith in one's own inner strength. Therefore, biblical guidelines for behavior can generally be eliminated in shamanism. As long as Christian theists remain faithful to the lordship of Jesus, and work to follow His will as expressed in God's Word, they will be safe from falling into serious error. Recognizing this necessity will guide believers as they explore the supernatural realm.

Learning From the Experts

In fact, there are already a multitude of Christian practitioners which have been pioneering through the spiritual world, many of them since the classic Pentecostal Movement of the early 1900s. Rather than accepting demonic influence on their lives and trying to function with it, these believers work to lovingly help others get free from spirit-possession and oppression. Rather than trying to wield the power of mystical beings to do their biding, these Christians cooperate with angels as God directs them, without diverting the focus of their worship to such spirits. Also, instead of using charms, amulets, or complex religious practices to receive benefits from higher powers, simple prayer and statements of faith are generally the methods Christians use to receive from God. Several examples of this form of orthodox operation could be given.

In the book The Century of the Spirit, there is a wealth of information shared about ministers who have, in the past 100 years, engaged with spirits or spiritual phenomena in notable ways. For instance, in the 1950's evangelist William Branham “displayed an extraordinary gift of the word of knowledge...Claiming to minister with an angel at his side, he amazed audiences by discerning the illnesses of people called from [his] audience.” Likewise, Argentine revivalist Carlos Annocondia exercises a high level of spiritual authority. It is said that, “A permanent fixture of Annocondia's crusades is what has to be one of the most sophisticated and massive deliverance ministries anywhere...literally hundreds of individuals are delivered from demons each of the 30 to 50 consecutive nights of a crusade...so great is the spiritual power that unsuspecting pedestrians passing by the crusade meeting have been known to fall down under the power of the Holy Spirit.” Stories like these can give theists an idea of what dramatic presentations of power can look look like within the Church's outreaches.

Of course, many of the choices made by the forerunners of supernatural ministry will be found out to be wrong, as history has revealed in numerous cases. Nevertheless, there is likely an abundance of wisdom that could potentially be gained by studying these leaders. This is why it is so important for evangelicals not to overlook the fact that such ministries exist. Spirit-led miracle-workers may be able to offer much instruction and inspiration to those beginning to utilize the powers that Christ has imparted.

A Personal Note

Personally, I feel confident that operating in the supernatural has dramatically helped me in my relationships with non-Christians. The Spirit of God has specifically equipped me with prophetic revelations and anointing to heal the sick, both which have manifested during my attempts to evangelize in times past. Such “power encounters” heavily impacted those who witnessed them, and in every situation I have been involved with, miracles gave the unsaved a deeper desire for God. My hope is that these experiences will become a part of every Christian's missionary work! If others will believe such practices are safe to engage in, doing so with the right motivations - and with the guidance of those who have gone before us - I am sure many souls will be drawn from the darkness to the light.

REFERENCES

Hill, A. E. and Walton, J. H. A Survey of the Old Testament, Third Edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2009.

Price, Paula A. The Prophet's Handbook: A Guide to Prophecy and Its Operation. New Kensington, Pennsylvania: 2008, Whitaker House.

Sire, James W. The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, Fourth Edition. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Synan, Vinson. The Century of the Holy Spirit:100 Years of Pentecostal and Charismatic Renewal. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2001.

Wimber, John and Springer, Kevin. Power Evangelism. Ventura, California: Regal, 2009.