Astrology is the interpretation of the position of the planets and how their position and movements affect us. People use astrology to study a person’s birth chart and read their personality traits and inclinations. Some compare horoscopes to see how two people will match. Astrologers predict events both individual and generally for countries and the world. In this day and age with an astrology forecast being a part of every newspaper and magazine, one wonders what is the opinion of the Bible on astrology. Is the practice of astrology against the Christian faith?
Bible And Astrology: Creation Of The Stars
The Bible clearly states that the heavens, as well as the stars, the Sun and the Moon, are all the handiwork of God. The book of Genesis describes the creation of the stars. It says that God created the lights in the sky. God made the two great lights the Sun and the moon to govern day and night respectively. The stars were all created for man to be able to mark the passing of days and years and to mark sacred times. So the Bible clearly states that the stars and the study of the stars are only for astronomical and calendar purposes. We can also interpret that to mean marking the seasons.
Constellations And Astronomy
The study of astrology is based on astronomy. Astrologers study the constellations and the signs and interpret them. The Bible states that God made the stars individually beautiful and unique.
The Bible tells us that the arrangement of the stars into constellations and the naming of the stars and their constellations is entirely the work of God. The constellations of Orion, The Bear and The Crooked Serpent (thought to be Draco), as well as The Pleiades, is mentioned in the Bible. We are also told that it is God who fastens the bands of these constellations. The Book of Job mentions constellations as well as their names.
God illustrated His promise to Abraham to give him innumerable seed in the stars. Abraham looked to the stars to see the reminder of God’s faithfulness in his promise.
Astrology And The Star Of Jerusalem
The Star of Bethlehem is the most visible mention of astrology in the Bible. The three Magi followed the Star that led them to the baby Jesus Christ. Most versions of Bible astrology verses retain the use of the word Magi which is of Chaldean origin. It has many meanings. Some versions of the Bible have translated it to mean the three wise men. The word Magi can refer to wise men, teachers, astrologers or prophets. It is obvious that they had some knowledge of astronomy to have followed the star and to have journeyed from the east.
Worship Of Heavenly Bodies
In Biblical times religions practised worship of the Sun, Moon and planets. There are repeated references in the Bible warning Christians that the stars are merely the creations of God and are not to be worshipped. This does not directly refer to astrology. However, every time the children of God fell prey to this they were suitably punished as we see in 2 Kings 17: 16.
Astrology And Divination
The Bible verses on astrology expressly forbid the practice of the occult sciences and the Bible condemns astrology. The practices of trials by fire, witchcraft, omen interpretation, sorcery, consulting mediums and those who contact the dead are expressly forbidden.
Christianity And The Stars
The Bible refers to and praises the beauty of the stars and the heavens as the works of God. We are encouraged to look to the skies in awe to see the splendour of Gods creation. Christians are to use the stars only for astronomical purposes and to keep track of the seasons and time.
Astrological Omens
The Bible tells us that the final judgement will be accompanied by many phenomena involving the stars in the skies.
However, the interpretation and reading of omens are forbidden. Christians are to rely upon the word of God and not that of any divination or other occult methods for guidance. The book of Daniel tells us how the King’s astrologers were unable to interpret the dream that the King had but that Daniel was able to because of God’s grace.
King Saul himself had sent out all mediums from his kingdom. However, he covertly approached a medium to contact Samuel who was already dead. King Saul relied upon a medium to guide him instead of looking to God for guidance and hence lost his life.
