Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)
Prolegomena to Christian Magic
Oct 12, 2022
Examining early Christian magical traditions, the podcast explores the use of names of power, the evolution of Roman society's views on magic, and the distinction between divine miracles and fraudulent magic. It also discusses the presence of practical magic in late antique Christian texts and the debates surrounding Christian magic in late antiquity.
35:00
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Quick takeaways
- Early Christian magical traditions were initially denied by the church fathers, who considered polytheist religion to be the actual sorcery.
- Late antiquity Christian apologists condemned all polytheist religions and associated them with magic and sorcery, including mainstream acts of traditional piety.
Deep dives
Similar Esoteric Arguments of Kelsus and Origin
Kelsus and Origin, both Platonists, employ similar esoteric forms of argument in their respective criticisms of Christianity. They appeal to metaphysical ideas about the primacy of the good to support their arguments. They also believe that their preferred wisdom lineage, passed down through esoteric subtexts and guarded statements of sages, is the true perennial lineage.
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