The Bible's Astrology

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Introduction: How I Came to Write this Book

It came unexpectedly. I was sitting at my keyboard in music rehearsal when all of a sudden, the drummer rose and asked the guest spectators the question that started it all: When’s your birthday? That was all it took. I knew very little about astrology at that moment, so I simply observed everyone’s reactions. I watched as people who saw this man as nothing more than a new acquaintance immediately identified with the personal qualities he asserted about them. There were about six guest spectators at the rehearsal studio, and all of them enthusiastically agreed with the drummer’s zodiac-based assertions. Needless to say, it triggered a fun atmosphere of personal expression. I began to think to myself. There must be something to this. What does God say about astrology? I must research.

I grew up a church boy, through and through. I sang in church. I led Praise and Worship in church. I played keyboards and the organ in church. I sang in gospel musicals, and I prophesied in church. I read scripture in church, and was even an ordained a deacon. I studied to be a minister of the gospel. I say this not to boast about my involvement in church, but rather to demonstrate my diligence and commitment of service to God. To this day, as I am writing this, I can count on one hand the Sundays I’ve missed. Neither church attendance nor one’s service in church makes them any more saved than the next. However, in the church is where I’ve witnessed the extreme disapproval of the art and pseudo-science of astrology. All I remember hearing about this subject was that it’s witchcraft. Preachers would say, Astrology is of the devil; stay away from it. Ministers would exclaim, Looking at your horoscope is a sin! I ignorantly accepted what I was told as truth. From their messages I concluded that the information of astrology would gradually force me away from my precious Jesus. I listened to them out of fear.

I must admit that much of the Christians’ ignorance is nurtured by fear. It seems to me that we feel learning something other than what the Bible directly addresses will sway our faith, pulling us away from God, when in actuality, such sentiments will keep us from learning and growing as effective Christians in this world. Sure, the Bible teaches that we are not to be of this world (Rom. 12:2), but we do live in it. And as Christians living in this world, we ought to understand our place in it although we are not of it. I’m glad I decided to research; I became astonished at what I found to be true. My research led me to conclusions that greatly differed from what I had been taught all my life.

After studying carefully for myself, I noticed that I couldn’t find any modern mainstream sources of information that arrived at the same conclusions as I had. I only saw the polar extremes. On one extreme, it seemed (and still does) like the theological antagonists of astrology knew little of the subject and deemed it wicked. They would only use words such as divination, sorcery and witchcraft to describe astrology. This differed greatly from my research. On the other hand, supporters of astrology endeavoring to demonstrate God’s approval knew little about the Bible and had a hard time making their arguments theologically persuasive. After I began to be vocal about my affinity towards astrology and my newfound knowledge of God’s contribution to the art, I noticed that there were many believers who felt the same as I did, but chose not to discuss it for fear of starting any trouble, namely, offending the pastors or ministers. I even had one brother from a church whisper to me, I’m an Aries, but don’t talk about that in front of the Pastor.

My research concluded that God has no problem with astrology in and of itself. As a matter of fact (brace yourself), God laid the foundation for it, and this book will prove biblically and theologically that God created the phenomenon and established the foundation for the art and pseudo-science we now know as astrology. This book will prove biblically and theologically that God never deemed astrology as sin in the Bible, and will go on further to prove that God never condemned astrology outside the context of sin. I know information as forthcoming and innovative as this will not go without controversy. Therefore, this book will be as technically sound as possible in proving that astrology is no threat to Christianity. I will prove that astrology has nothing to do with witchcraft in and of itself. I will discuss the historical and political origins of how it came to be, and why it is still reprimanded by the church. My research will also demonstrate how astrology can be used to benefit the believer and how the believer can combat those who maintain their theory that astrology is not in alignment with God’s word. Through personal testimony, I will attest to how this phenomenon God created has enriched and blessed my life tremendously.

A Word on the Word

In recent times, the Bible has received much criticism and degradation. Many sources are questioning its integrity. Academia has deemed it an anthology of mythology. Many scholars argue that the Bible was inspired by power drunken men and not by a loving God. Naysayers believe it is a mere product perpetuating politics. Even the self-proclaimed children of God are starting to lose faith in the book that has expressed the mind of God for so long. This is problematic. For those who place hope in the cross, the Bible provides a collective understanding of the Almighty God. Those who discredit the Bible purposely or inadvertently welcome the opportunity to create their own versions of the Supreme Being. In this mental construct, we make idols unto ourselves, worshipping one’s mind’s view of spiritual affairs while disregarding God’s expressed words. The bestselling book of all time is still a source of truth. In 2 Timothy 3:16 the Apostle Paul writes, All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. In reverence of God, one must desire to attain a more accurate view of Christ. Only the Bible provides the most premier evidence of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if one holds a belief that cannot be supported by scripture, that one holds his or her own doctrine. No one should pass their own doctrine as the Word of God, but ought to maintain that a conviction unsupported by scripture is simply their own opinion. The Bible is still the standard for truth, if not in the world, then among Christ’s people. In order to establish a doctrine or define a spiritual truth from the Christian perspective, one must establish their truth as God’s truth through the Bible. Therefore, scripture will support every thought introduced on astrology so that you may cross-examine for yourself to see if I have rightly divided the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

I sincerely hope that you try to be as objective and open-minded as you possibly can while reading this. Remember what Paul wrote to Timothy: Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). A strong student of the word of God will not reject new information if scripture can support it. Each claim will be discussed precept upon precept. I encourage you to cross-examine my findings through your own research. It is my endeavor to make the information as clear as possible. None of my claims will be of my own merit, as the Bible has been my premier authoritative source of information on this journey. In the words of one of the great preachers of the gospel, If it is true, it can stand scrutiny.

What I pray you gather the most from this information is another application of taking the limits off of God, as well as not allowing anyone other than the Holy Spirit to have preeminence over your informed beliefs. God is infinite. Recall the Jewish theologians of the first century who never thought God would come to Earth born in a lowly manger to a poor family. This is why the scripture records the saying, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? (St. John 1:46). They didn’t expect God, through His son Jesus, to fulfill the law and do away with their religious systems (Matthew 5:17). Their expectations were defied quite possibly because they had a biased and closed mind to the manifestation of the Messiah. However, the tradition they were taught was in fact the opposite of what was to actually happen. They expected a Savior to rescue the Jews from Roman rule and establish a Jewish state (St. John 18:36), not understanding that Jesus had come to bring them closer to God through a personal relationship and free them from their sins. They didn’t see that the words they had revered, honored and studied so long were manifested in the flesh, right before their eyes. They refused to see.

Chapter 1: Astrology Is Not Witchcraft, Nor is it Evil

In the first chapter of the book of Jeremiah, God tells the young prophet to root up, tear down, destroy and throw down, and then to build and plant (Jer. 1:10). This order is necessary when reshaping thoughts about a subject that has been widely misunderstood for so long. Upon hearing the term astrology, I have found that many Christians create mental barriers and immediately shut down psychologically in an effort to maintain allegiance to God and the desire to be obedient to the uninformed teaching that has been instilled over time. Therefore, before delving into the details of astrology and God’s involvement in the art, it’s imperative to first demystify the subject. Let me begin with an explanation of my former thoughts of this art. Perhaps you were as uninformed as I was.

Throughout my church experience I have heard several ministers communicate sternly the notion that astrology is a sin. They label it with titles such as witchcraft and divination. Before I became an independent thinker, I took their word for it. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, solely based upon the spiritual office that they held. I believed them, until I did my own research. I am now convinced that spiritual beliefs are too powerful and important to grant someone else the authority to tell me what I ought to believe about God without cross-examination. We as Christians must be like those from Berea, who received the messages of the gospel with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures to see if they were so (Acts 17:11). Biblically, there is no evidence supporting claims that astrology is witchcraft, divination, sorcery or anything of the like. Therefore, the claims deeming astrology as wicked couldn’t be further from the truth. Nothing about astrology in and of itself involves channeling or praying to evil spirits. Even some secular books I have read on astrology communicate directly that astrology is free of divination and is distinguished from other practices of the same. There is nothing about astrology that offers hidden knowledge that God prohibits. God already declared that the lights in the firmament would be signs from the beginning of creation (Gen 1:14). Therefore, astrology is merely a morally neutral source of information that is not evil spirited.

The Bible Does Not Call Astrology Divination

Astrology is defined by several sources as the study of the phenomenon linking celestial activity to the happenings of life on Earth. This phenomenon is independent of anything that can be explained by evil spirits, witchcraft, divination or the like. To gather a proper understanding of this subject, it is important to define divination and witchcraft universally. Divination is the art or practice of foreseeing for the sake of revealing future events or discovering secret knowledge, typically by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers. The definition of witchcraft is the use of sorcery or magic. The difference between the practices of divination and astrology is that astrology is a phenomenon that God has instituted from the foundations of the universe. God utilizes the activity of the heavens for signs throughout history. Witchcraft and divination, on the other hand, are empowered by sources other than God.

If God signals us through the heavens (Gen. 1:14), then let’s first examine why astrology is not witchcraft. As demonstrated in the Word of God, He advises us against communing with spirits other than His own or inquiring of those who practice this abomination. I could imagine why this would be troublesome to our relationship with God; evil spirits do not have our best interest at heart. In the Bible, there are only two types of spirits shown to have supernatural power: angels and demons. Jesus has taught us that the devil, also known as Satan (characterized as a thief), has only come to kill, steal and destroy (St. John 10:10). So according to scripture, it is safe to conclude that if God does not endorse these spirits then they are not sent by God, leaving them to be only sent from