Like you guys DO realize that all English versions of the Bible are translations right? And they're all flawed (tho some moreso than others *cough* King James *cough*) because languages do not translate directly and so interpreters and translators have to make decisions for the reader on what English words to use. The words they choose can have different connotations and meanings than the original language intended. Things also change depending on what you define as "magic". My definition is "using knowledge/skills/channeling/etc to supernaturally direct energy to a specific purpose, the source of which may include elemental energies, spirits, personal energy, other animate or inanimate things, technology, gods (my personal go-to with Christ), etc."
The Hebrew and Greek words used that were translated to "witchcraft"/"sorcery"/"mediums"/etc were not those words in the original languages. Most translators decided to translate words for specific practices into generalized terms. What practices are ACTUALLY prohibited in the Bible? Putting anything before Christ, pharmakos (Greek root of pharmacy, so usually taken to mean herbs in medicine or, more likely since plants have been used to treat illnesses since prehistory, poison), snake charming (m'nachesh), contacting spirits of the dead (sho'el'ov, doresh 'el hametim), m'khaseph (spells that are spoken to cause harm to others), divination about the future (qosem q'samim), divination of the future using signs in nature (m'onen, basically groundhog day), divination that is not through God (Joseph used oneiromancy and other divinatory methods through God, the disciples specifically used divination to determine who would be the next disciple to take them from 11 to 12 after Judas betrayed them, and the early church used divination to determine God's will), necromancy (sho'el'ov, doresh 'el hametim), human sacrifice, casting harmful spells using knot magic (chover chavar), being a medium to spirits not of God (yid'oni). Please also note that tons of biblical figures used magic (not just divination) with God's approval (see Rachel, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Daniel, the list goes on and on).
And all of that is ignoring the fact that most of these come from the Old Testament, which is the history of Israel as God's people, and the contract/covenant (the literal biblical meaning of testament) they made as a nation. So what does this mean? Well, understanding the CONTEXT of the Old Testament is really important, and is often neglected in Sunday School and Bible studies. Part of that context, is the covenant between God and ancient Israel, specifically. The Laws as they are written, are in the same format as a suzerain contract (Google it). The Law is literally a contract between God and ancient Israel (much like a lord and vassal would have), whereby if they follow the rules laid out by the contract, they will have the protection and guidance of God. Note that no where is it ever suggested that the old law is a means of salvation. It's a demonstration of good faith, and reveals some things about God's character (at the time, these laws were actually radical, being much more humanitarian and much less sexist than other laws from around the same time period and geographical region).
The Law (both the 10 commandments and all the other laws about civilian life, rituals, consequences, etc) is written mostly in Leviticus (y'know the book conservatives always like to quote when it suits them but of which nothing applies to themselves). What's the book right before Leviticus? Exodus. The book where Moses finally frees the Jewish people from Egyptian rule, and gets them to the Promised Land. The Jews at this time had lived for generations and generations in Egypt, immersed in Egyptian culture and practices, and in trying to survive and adapt, their practices and beliefs had inevitably (forcibly) assimilated a bit into Egyptian practices. So when God was trying to make a brand new autonomous theocracy, it was necessary to separate out Egyptian practices from Jewish practices because they had become quite blurred. Many of these rules were made for this reason, and to keep Israeli customs and practices separate from their new neighbors as well. It doesn't do to mix beliefs when you're trying to stabilize a new theocratic nation. But guess what? We're not ancient Israel. The old contract was broken and Israel was conquered. God made a new one with Jesus. Jesus literally is quoted saying he is the new covenant. He breaks numerous laws of the old covenant throughout his 3 years of traveling.
Many of you probly don't know this, but even in ancient times, new contracts were written very similarly to how they are today: all old terms that still apply must be repeated in the new contract, in addition to the new terms and changed clauses. If something was in the old contract and isn't mentioned in the new one, it doesn't apply anymore. Jesus specifically says that the 10 commandments still apply, and that there are 2 most important commandments that should guide our actions: 1) Love God with all your heart, soul, and strength, and 2) love your neighbor as yourself. He also adds one more: love each other as you have loved me. There are other laws he mentions but they fall under the two most important.
So how does magic stand up to this new contract? Well, still can't use hurtful magic cuz of the second most important commandment. Still can't divine the future outside of God, cuz it is putting your trust and love elsewhere. Still can't poison people. But if you use magic as a vehicle of God's will rather than one of pure self-satisfaction and instant gratification, if you accredit your power as coming from god and not yourself or other entities, if you use magic to love God and your neighbors, there is no conflict of interest. God works through people, often in magical ways, as seen time after time in the old and new testaments. My work in magic has brought me closer to God than I ever was beforehand. Any results I get are with God's blessing, and according to gods will. I mostly use magic to feel God's presence, to further prayer, to understand present or past situations with wisdom and clarity, and to heal when God calls me to. For some people, it's not the path for them. But if it is, who are others to keep one from drawing closer to God?
