CCP180: On Magic

Jan 23, 2026

James Emery White, pastor, theologian, and author who studies culture and faith. He discusses a Baylor study showing rising interest in magical thinking, explains secular supernaturalism and why nonreligious people accept spiritual ideas, and distinguishes cultural fantasy from real occult practices while urging thoughtful engagement with popular spiritual longings.

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INSIGHT

Secularism Doesn't Erase Supernatural Belief

Interest in magic and supernatural beliefs can rise as people move away from traditional religion.
Baylor's study shows similar rates of belief in ghosts and talking to the dead among religious and nonreligious groups.

INSIGHT

Civilization's Spiritual/Sensate Pendulum

Societies swing between ideational (spiritual) and sensate (material/rational) phases according to Pitirim Sorokin's thesis.
White argues we may be swinging back toward a spiritual, supernatural openness after the Enlightenment's sensate era.

INSIGHT

Experience Without Doctrine Explains 'No-God' Spirituality

Many people seek spiritual experiences without doctrinal frameworks, so they accept supernatural phenomena but reject God.
Christopher Dawson's phrase captures it as religious emotion divorced from religious belief.

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In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss the findings of a recent study from Baylor University reflecting an increased interest in magical thinking - acceptance of the world of the supernatural - even among people who do not hold to traditional religious beliefs. This was actually something that Dr. White forecasted in his book Meet Generation Z, noting the impacts on Gen Z being raised by parents who were increasingly spiritual (interested in things related to the spiritual realm), but not religious.

Episode Links

At the beginning of the discussion, Dr. White made reference to the writings of Pitirim A. Sorokin, and particularly his lengthy four-volume work Social and Cultural Dynamics. As mentioned above, we live in a world where people are more likely to consider themselves spiritual, but not religious. Dr. White delivered a message series at Mecklenburg Community Church to help people have a better understanding of our world and the spiritual realm. You can find the installments of the series “Paranormal” HERE.

For a deeper dive into other topics related to the Christian faith and the world of the supernatural, we'd encourage you to check out these past podcast episodes as well. The links below will take you to the podcast episode on the Church & Culture website, but you can also find them by name on the C&C Podcast YouTube channel or on your favorite podcasting platform:

CCP171: On Halloween

CCP151: On Spirits and Ghosts

CCP107: On Hell

CCP58: On Your Horoscope and Starbucks

CCP11: On Wicca

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