Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources

Article 92 - Astrology

What About Astrology?

   Practices such as witchcraft, fortune telling, numerology and astrology have one thing in common -- they all sprang out of pagan religion and have been around for centuries.
   However, in more recent times these "cult" beliefs have taken on a certain phenomenon. More and more unsuspecting people are being lured into these occult related groups. As modern society drifts further away from Biblical teaching, people tend to be attracted to the mysterious and unusual. Over the last few decades interest in these superstitions has grown dramatically.
   Astrology Has The Largest Following Of All Cult Persuasions. It is estimated that in the U.S. astrology has more than 20 million followers. It is estimated that one fifth of all U.S. citizens believe is some form of astrology. In the U.S. it is estimated there are more than 250,000 practitioners of astrology. 

What Is Astrology? 
   Astrology is not to be confused with "astronomy." Astrology is the divination of the supposed influences of the stars upon human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects. The Encyclopedia America defines it as, "Belief in the occult . . . the influences of heavenly      bodies from  astronomical observations. It is the belief that stars can influence one's thoughts, attitudes and actions. Depending on the position of the stars and one's date of birth, practitioners claim to discover clues to future events, including predicting occurrences in one's life.  

Astrology Is An Outgrowth Of Pagan Superstition  
   It is merely a revision of ancient practices reaching back several thousand years. The first known astrologers were in Mesopotamia (the Akkado-Sumerians, 2000 B.C.). It was later seen among the Persians, Assyrians and Egyptians. It was then passed on to the Greeks by the Persians. In the first century A.D. the Roman world inherited it from the Greeks.

Astrology In Modern Times
   In the 22nd century astrology holds sway over the minds of multiplied millions. It has become so widely accepted that many treat it as a "science." A large percent of newspapers carry astrological columns. Many novels have astrology as a basic theme. Hundreds of toll-free numbers peddle astrology. Thousands of astrology web sites traverse cyberspace. 

The Truth About Astrology
   Astrology prospers in times of uncertainty and confusion. It drags people downward into superstition, fear and ignorance. Practitioners deceive people with flagrant, fraudulent claims. With many, astrology has become a virtual "religion."  Though some try to make astrology respectable, it is still pagan to the core. Christians can have no part in astrology. 

The Bible Condemns Astrology
   Deuteronomy 18:9-12 "observer of times" (ASV - "augury";  NKJ - "soothsayer") -- One who claims to foretell the future. II Kings 23:5  "burned incense . . . to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets [the twelve signs]." Isaiah 47:13,14  "astrologers, stargazers, monthly prognosticators." Jeremiah 10:1-3a  "learn not the way of the heathen [nations] and be not dismayed at signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain [vanity] . . . " 

The Scriptures Alone Are All Sufficient
   II Peter 1:3 "as his divine power given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." II Timothy 3:16,17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God . . . that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped to every good work."