miracle vs. magic - Isn't magic the same as what Christians call a miracle? Why did Moses need his staff?

Question

Please read this short article before answering: http://groups.msn.com/MysticForestofProtection/christianmagick.msnw

Personally, I completely agree with the author, but I am interested in what others think, and their response to this article. Please don't base your opinions solely on what is said in the bible. What do YOU think?

A prop to add drama?! For easier walking?! Come on people, where's your education?!

This was the staff that Moses lifted to part the Red Sea! This is the staff that was transformed into a snake and back!

"When God finished showing to Moses that his staff was an instrument of divine power and authority, it was all he needed to fulfill his task. With that rod Moses defeated the magicians of Egypt, stripped Pharaoh of his power, humiliated Egypt's gods and brought brought Israel out from slavery to freedom."

Jalasian, my apologies for any confusion. I should've used the spelling magick, making the distinction between stage magic/illusion. See the Wikipedia article on "magick"

Answer 1

Magic is through will and intent Miracles are an act of a god or goddess.

A spell that is cast is cast through intent and the will of the caster to be done.

If you want to get technical, prayer is more like magical spell casting.

Miracles and magic stem from two completely and distinct sources.

Answer 2

The difference between magic and miracle is this: Magic is a trick where false deception is used ...such as the sleight of hand a trained magician uses.
Miracles are events that occur that have no natural explanation, spiritual or scientific. I have pasted the explanations of both words below.
So then, magic is not the same as what Christians call a miracle by definitions in any dictionary. According to my internet research and a passage in the Bible....Moses' staff was a miraculous instrument of God....... .read on...
"Then God demonstrated to him the miraculous potential in that seemingly insignificant staff–and Moses actually fled in terror from his own walking stick! But when instructed to pick up the snake by the tail, once again, it returned into a staff in his own hand. Something simple and common, turned into a power authoritative tool, and then back to something simple and common. When God finished showing to Moses that his staff was an instrument of divine power and authority, it was all he needed to fulfill his task. With that rod Moses defeated the magicians of Egypt, stripped Pharaoh of his power, humiliated Egypt's gods and brought Israel out from slavery to freedom.*


Word definitions................

mag·ic /ˈmædʒɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[maj-ik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. the art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.; legerdemain; conjuring: to pull a rabbit out of a hat by magic.

1. an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.
2. such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God.
3. a wonder; marvel.

Hope all of this helped..........I am a Buddhist Don't penalize me for that ....!!!!!

Answer 3

Staffs, rods, wands and crystals are all instruments used in ceremonial magick! When Moses turned his staff into a cobra to eat the Pharaohs cobra that was a form of illusion and not magick or a miracle! Hate to say it but as technology keeps advancing soon we will be able to perform every miracle in the bible! We can already do most of them! Force fields could part the red sea! We can't do it yet but we are working on it!

Creating the spark of life will be the only thing I bet we can't do! Giving life to a lifeless object could be impossible for us!

Answer 4

Magic by the power of evil spirits is not the same as the miracles of God.

God knew Pharaoh's boys J & J turned sticks into snakes so God gave Moses a rod to carry. Moses' rod turned into a bigger snake and ate both of their snakes. Moses' rod parted the Red Sea, etc.

Every rod was used to mark the accomplishments of the owner. How would you like to carry the rod and staff of God?

You have good Spirits and evil spirits and both groups have knowledge. Both groups can use this knowledge for either good or evil, so it depends upon which spirit you follow.

I follow the Spirit of God which is the Holy Spirit within me. The miracles of God are far greater than the magic of men.
The magic of men is performed by evil spirits.
The miracles of men are performed by the Holy Spirit.

Answer 5

Miracles happens unexpected and something impossible or strange to happen in our world while Magic happens unexpectedly to some but the others knew what will happen. Also Miracle and Magic are the same because they happen on to something impossible but Magic bends the rules while Miracles never.

Answer 6

I believe that magic is the same as a miracle or just like when Christians ask for their prayers to be answered. I am drawn to the practice because it gives full power to an individual to use the earths energy in a positive and constructive manner. You have to believe and I do.

Answer 7

#1, No , #2 He was a herder in the foot hills , standard weapon of choice back then for protection , walking aid .
Plus , Moses was like 80 years old when he went to get Israel out of Egypt .

Answer 8

I believe the difference between miracles and magick is the source from which they spring.

Answer 9

since magic and miracle are different words in the Bible, I am inclined to believe they are different. you don't need to boil things in a pot or chant to recieve power from God.

don't have the attention span to read that article

Answer 10

yes because both break the laws of science and therefore surpass the natural into the supernatural.