MAGIC VS BELIEF: EARLY CHRISTIANITY

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to identify the beliefs of early Christianity and the relationship between occultism and occultism. Witchcraft, sorcery, and the occult have a long history, and occultism has been widely used in many early religious traditions. As a result, there is no clear distinction between sacred and pagan beliefs in their early stages. The differences here can be seen in that the religious basis begins to be explored from a scientific point of view. However, there was also a need to maintain religious beliefs scientifically. Another point is that occultism is more harmful than its use. Although such a situation is not represented in Christianity in the present context, it is in the study of primary sources that it is realized that its origin is not entirely based on scientific ethics. It was in some ways limited to myths and rituals associated with various occult beliefs. But this study also found criticisms of the use of magic in early Christianity. On the one hand, magic and occult were limited, but philosophical theologians opposed them. That is clear from the inquiries of St. Justin the martyrs and St. Irenaeus. On the other hand, the gradual stabilization of that scientific basis led to the influence of magic and sorcery. With the enactment of the Catholic Ordinance, a legal system was enacted prohibiting witchcraft in the church. Thus, it can be understood that Christianity practiced magic and sorcery during the first three centuries and some conflict.