The ‘anatomy’ of The temptation: How to address the occult among non-Christians and persons who profess Christianity in congregations

Abstract

The Christian church in its present formation needs to understand the revealed ‘anatomy’ of the (original) Temptation (Gn 3) in order to discern this temptation’s historical trajectory through biblical and world history. This historical reflection is urgently needed if the Christian church wants to be able to equip Christians and non-Christians in Africa for an appropriate defensive response against occult temptation that is part of this ‘new age spirituality’. This article wants to: (1) Teach to understand: The anatomy of ‘The temptation’ (from God’s revelation); (2) Help to discern: Recognise the historical trajectory of ‘The temptation’; (3) Prepare to be vigilant: To be defensively prepared for the current offensive.

Keywords

• Imago Dei
• Sicut Deus
• Occult
• Pagan
• Satanic temptation
• World Christianity
• Southern church
• Third church
• Gnostic
• Gnosticism