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Sherman Malachi New user 19 Posts |
I've been in Seminary and continue to pursue a theological education part-time now. For years, my brethren who know me as a magician has been asking me how the Lord can use me with Gospel magic. To tell you the truth, I've done it before and even invented my own routines.
But I always have this problem. As a preacher, I preach effectively. As a magician, I perform professionally. But together, there's always confusion. I find it "burdensome" already to preach (with much prayer) without compromise and yet I have to put "object lessons" with the props that I possess. On the other hand, my magic has to provide the development of a certain train of thought. Magic has its intrinsic meaning already, I think that putting a gospel message would confuse the magic (and magic cannot be confusion). And as far as magic goes, I highly respect the art to want to confuse it. People have said that it is easier to get the message across with magic...yeah but why do it at the expense of magic when I can evangelize without magic and more effectively. I'm sure there is a place for magic in the description of stories (esp. to children)but the hard truths should be delivered as hard truths shouldnt they? Imagine if you are telling someone about forgiveness and yet they are trying to follow all the colors and props in your hand.....I'll find it hard. Maybe I lack the experience or knowledge in Gospel Magic but this is my reasoning and opinion. Perhaps you folks can enllighten me. Soli Deo Gloria, Sherman
Sherman Malachi
Improve your card magic at www.powerfulcardmagic.com/blog |
James Peters Veteran user Romford, UK 385 Posts |
Hi Sherman,
It's a difficult situation you are in, and there's not really anyone who can advise on what's best for you. Speaking from my own experiece, I used escapes to draw the crowd, then held them there with my testimony. I suppose that the escapes helped me build a platform from which I could then share something more intimate with people, and I was clear in my own mind about what I was going to achieve. So I guess that's the thing ... you need to be clear in your own mind about what you want to do. If it's mix the gospel with the magic, that's great, but have a plan on how to do it, then practice and work the plan. God bless, James. |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
I have seen many "gospel magicians" in my life and, in general, they would do more justice to both the magic and the Message if they kept them separate. I would rather hear a short testimony at the end of a magic performance or see a short bit of "magic with a message" at the end of a sermon than to endure someone who is obviously force-fitting the magic and the Message together.
I'm not saying that there aren't those out there who can effectively do both (I have seen a couple). I'm just saying that the truly effective ones are few and far between. As good a magician and as dedicated a follower as Andre Kole is, he keeps the two generally separate, and is very successful at it. Amos McCormick
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Hi Sherman -
Part of this depends on your point of view. Some performers can't see the melding of the gospel and magic. Some can. Both types of performance styles exist... magic first, to gather rapport with the audience, and then a message. Or a message and magic presented harmoniously. And both can be done well. Or not. Even though I had done magic for years, and had been a Christian for years, it took me quite a while before I was comfortable blending the magic and message together (but I did have a yearning to do it). However, now that I do blend the two together, I find (non-gospel) message shows for schools easier to present and create, as well as feel very comfortable creating and presenting gospel magic shows. (BTW, I know that Steve Hart offers resources to help speakers who are also entertainers learn what message they have inside of them, and then find out how to best present that message for impact. Because when the message comes from inside you, it carries more impact. These are not resources I have used, and were created mostly for people wanting to do corporate speaking, but the idea would be universal and applicable to evangelists as well. Preach the message you have inside of you, because you know it best. Steve's website is www.magic2motivate.com). It is interesting that you feel that hard truths should be delivered as hard truths. There is a time and a place for a hellfire and brimstone message, and a time and a place where you can gently call an audience to Christ (remember, he is the Great Shepherd*). I met a gentleman in our magic club years ago who objected to gospel magic on the grounds that he felt that the Bible message is really a complicated thing, and it was wrong to make it simple by using a trick to illustrate that. While he is certainly entitled to his opinion, I have to disagree. I feel that the Gospel is simple. Look at the Four Spiritual Laws (aka Steps to Peace with God). That is a simple 4 part outline of what the Bible is all about. Law one: God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life Law two: Man is sinful and separated from God. Thus he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life. Law three: Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life. Law four: We must individually recieve Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives. And if you watch an evangelist like Billy Graham, he uses those four spiritual laws as the outline for all of his evangelistic sermons, even if he uses different word pictures and illustrations to tell those 4 points. Again, I feel that the Gospel is simple to present and understand. And most relevant, Christ used simple parables to illustrate deep truths all of the time. For example, the parable of the prodigal son, to illustrate God's unconditional love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and that He always rejoices when we return to him. Another example, the parable of the man who was forgiven a great debt, to illustrate how much we have been forgiven by God for our sin-debt, and how we are to show forgiveness (grace and mercy) towards others when they sin against us and hurt us. To me, this is something simple that can be explained to others. After all, for salvation, they don't need a whole meal of steak and potatoes, with a side of lobster. All they need is some milk to offer them the opportunity to become babes in Christ. As they grow in him, they can take on more. You don't need to make them take a drink from a fire hose, when all they need is a drink from a garden hose. But if your perspective is different (that the gospel is hard or complicated, or that that magic and message somehow don't mix), then please don't do both together. Just stick with evangelism. Otherwise your heart will not truly be in doing both together. Remember, you don't "HAVE TO DO" gospel magic... you can "CHOOSE TO DO" gospel magic if you want. Don't force it if it is uncomfortable for you. - Donald P.S. * I mentioned that Christ is the Great Shepherd. One of my pastors gave a sermon over 10 years ago that I remember to this day, about why Christ is not the Great Cowboy. Cowboys go behind the cattle and drive them forward by yelling at them (scaring them). A Shepherd goes in front of his flock and calls, and the sheep hear his voice and follow willingly. They do not have to be driven, and the style of leading them is different. Food for thought.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Sherman Malachi New user 19 Posts |
It is interesting that you feel that hard truths should be delivered as hard truths. There is a time and a place for a hellfire and brimstone message, and a time and a place where you can gently call an audience to Christ (remember, he is the Great Shepherd*).
I met a gentleman in our magic club years ago who objected to gospel magic on the grounds that he felt that the Bible message is really a complicated thing, and it was wrong to make it simple by using a trick to illustrate that. [/quote] Thanks for all your comments. I would agree with you Donald. The gospel is not complicated. I'm just concerned that it might focus on the fun rather than the message. But perhaps you are right for God can work in the hearts in different ways. that's worthwhile exploring. Though I'm personally not a gospel magician, I have a burden to instruct my fellows to do so (its a good ministry). And you are right they might get it quite clearly. I must admit that though I'm saying this, I've led a few people to Christ via a gospel magic presentation of my own concocction. Perhaps I'm just questioning the wide effect, but yes, the Holy Spirit does work where we fall short. On the whole, that's basically what I do is what Amos says (like what Andre Kole does) keep them seperate. Your comments have been a blessing. Sherman
Sherman Malachi
Improve your card magic at www.powerfulcardmagic.com/blog |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-07-13 12:16, Sherman Malachi wrote: Hi Sherman - I agree, that there is the concern that a performer can trivialize the gospel, or just make it a novelty. And it is critically important to give deep thought to that subject, for your own personal style of evangelism. Good thing you aren't suggesting that we take the "Fun" out of "Fundamentalism" (hehehe! ). I now understand that is what you are trying to get at. I think that part of that responsibility is up to the presenter, but part is up to the audience. When hundreds hear a sermon on a Sunday, the pastor can do his job in preaching the truth, but yet it is not his fault if certain people in the congregation refuse to listen to the message. We are each personally responsible for listening to others, and listening to God. I like some entertainment with a gospel message. I enjoy Christian music artists. I enjoy Veggie Tales. I enjoy Prince of Egypt and Joseph: King of Dreams. I enjoy some Christian comedians. However, I do look and listen for the deeper truths, even though they can be very entertaining. I am sure that there are some Christians who were disappointed that Newsboys put the drumset that rotated in their show. Perhaps too novel or distracting. And yet, it was fun that drove you to like the band, and give more weight to their message in their music (deeper rapport). For me, a few times when I have done gospel shows and an altar call (I don't do one at every gospel show), I usually make it a point to ask them to respond if they want to know more of the message (and how to become a Christian), but not respond if they want to know how the tricks are done. I don't talk down to them, but clarify for them what this is about. I do this because some (not all) misunderstand what is being done at the time. However, just because some don't hear the message at that time (or give more weight to the entertainment over the message), doesn't necessarily mean they don't hear it at all (sometimes it sinks in later). Here is what 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 says... Quote:
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. Wow! It isn't my responsibility to make sure that every one responds every time. I'm only part of the picture. Some listen now, some listen later, and some don't listen at all. Like I said, this can also happen at a straightfoward sermon. - Donald P.S. Another truth from my Pastor. As Christians, we are called to share the truth, but that is to be mixed with grace. I know at times, I tend to lean more in one direction than the other.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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