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'''Gospel magic''' is a specialized form of stage [[magic (illusion)|magic]]. It refers to the use of otherwise standard magic tricks and [[illusion]]s to [[Catechism|catechize]] those preparing for sacraments in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], [[Lutheran]], [[Anglican]] and [[Orthodox Church]]es or during general preaching, or during missions, in all branches of [[Christianity]].
'''Gospel magic''' is a specialized form of stage [[magic (illusion)|magic]]. It refers to the use of otherwise standard magic tricks and [[illusion]]s to [[Catechism|catechize]] those preparing for sacraments in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], [[Lutheran]], [[Anglican]] and [[Orthodox Church]]es or during general preaching, or during missions, in most other branches of [[Christianity]].


In the Bible, [[Jesus Christ]] uses stories or [[parables]] to illustrate his message. Gospel Magic is intended to present his [[Good News]] through "visual parables". Like [[parable]]s, the trick or illusion in Gospel Magic is used to present some important theological point, such as the [[sacraments]], in an entertaining way that people will remember and understand.
In the Bible, [[Jesus Christ]] uses stories or [[parables]] to illustrate his message. Gospel Magic is intended to present his [[Good News]] through "visual parables". Like [[parable]]s, the trick or illusion in Gospel Magic is used to present some important theological point, such as the [[sacraments]], in an entertaining way that people will remember and understand.

Revision as of 14:18, 21 February 2010

Gospel magic is a specialized form of stage magic. It refers to the use of otherwise standard magic tricks and illusions to catechize those preparing for sacraments in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and Orthodox Churches or during general preaching, or during missions, in most other branches of Christianity.

In the Bible, Jesus Christ uses stories or parables to illustrate his message. Gospel Magic is intended to present his Good News through "visual parables". Like parables, the trick or illusion in Gospel Magic is used to present some important theological point, such as the sacraments, in an entertaining way that people will remember and understand.

Gospel Magic is intended to convey mystagogy in the belief that religious mysteries cannot be shown empirically but can only be described as inner experience.[1] The Gospel Magician hopes to convey this sense of mystery by performing an otherwise inexplicable magic trick in front of his or her audience.

Gospel Magic is generally presented as stage magic or platform magic but it can be adapted to close-up magic or micromagic situations. It is uncommon for a Gospel Magician to use mentalism in his or her act, largely because the attention would be turned towards the performer rather than to the message. Gospel Magic does not claim to invoke spirits or paranormal powers.

The Jewish equivalent to Gospel Magic is known as Torah Magic.

History

In the Bible

Biblical references to "magic" are, without exception, the manipulation of supposed preternatural powers usually associated with conjuring spirits in order to foretell the future (1 Samuel 28:7,) or dealing with astrology (Isaiah 47:13) Suffice it to say that, inevitably, the kind of magic that is referenced in the Bible is not stage magic.[2]

The arts and ministry

The arts have a long history in Christianity as a means to bring Christ's teachings to the faithful. Icons, parables, music, song, dance, poetry, sculpture, painting, stained glass, theater, radio, film, television and the Internet. Even stage magic and illusion have their place in Christianity as evangelizing tools. One of the foremost practitioners of Gospel Magic is Dennis Regling. Regling has incorporated magical illusions, chemical reactions, balloon twisting and other performance skills into unique object lessons to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ and other Bible lessons clearly. His book "52 Weeks of Gospel Magic" is considered the encyclopedia of Gospel Magic. Other well known Gospel magic artists include Duane Laflin, Barry Mitchell and Steve Varro.

Organizations

The principle organizations for Gospel Magicians are the International Fellowship of Christian Magicians and the Catholic Magicians' Guild [1]. The IFCM's monthly magazine is The Conjuror. The CMG's electronic quarterly magazine is entitled Totus Tuus.

Gospel magician holidays

Gospel Magic can be used throughout the Christian liturgical calendar but there are several feast days that are particularly important to Gospel Magicians:

  • January 31 - St. Don Bosco's feast day - Catholic Gospel Magicians will usually celebrate this day by offering free magic performances to underprivileged or infirmed children.[3]
  • March 22 - St. Nicholas Owen (martyr). Considered the Stage Illusionist's holiday since St. Nicholas used his cabinetry skills to hide Catholic priests and pay people during Britain's Penal Times. [4]
  • March 25 - St. Dismas - The "Good Thief," who was crucified alongside Christ, is considered the Patron of Reformed Thieves. In that sense, Christian magicians who use pickpocketing in their acts consider him to be their patron.
  • August 10 - St. Lawrence of Rome - an ancient Roman martyr. Because of his quick wit even in the midst of being tortured to death, he is considered the Patron of Comedians. It is understandable how magicians who do comical acts would look to St. Lawrence for inspiration.
  • August 25 - St. Genesius of Rome - was a renowned Roman actor hired for a play that satirized the rite of Christian Baptism. In the middle of the opening night performance before Emperor Diocletian, Genesius had a change of heart and converted and was subsequently martyred thus becoming the Patron of Stage Performers. He is rightly considered a patron of stage magicians.[5]
  • November 15 - St. Albert the Great - Though Albertus Magnus is more commonly seen as the Patron of Scientists, he is rememberd by Gospel Magicians in that he saw scientific principles present in nature as signs of wonder. It is little wonder he is considered important in magic, the art of wonderment.[6]

Gospel magic bibliography

The principle texts for Gospel Magicians are a two-volume series:

  • Miller, Jule L. Spiritual Applications for Tarbell I. Gospel Services. 1976.
  • Miller, Jule L. Spiritual Applications for Tarbell II. Gospel Services. 1984.

The Tarbell Course is a standard reference for all magicians. Miller's Spiritual Applications for Tarbell was based on this series. It was originally intended to be expanded to cover all eight-volumes in the Tarbell Series but Miller died before this massive project was completed.

In addition, another book meant for Catholic Gospel Magicians has recently been released:

  • Stagnaro, Angelo. The Catechist's Magic Kit. Crossroad Publishing. 2009.

The Catechist's Magic Kit received a nihil obstat and imprimatur from Bishop Nicholas Anthony DiMarzio, of the Diocese of Brooklyn making it the only magic book to receive such designations from the Catholic Church. The book follows the Catholic Catechism chapter by chapter but it includes a chart to allow it to be used by Protestant and Orthodox magicians.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://spiritualmagic.org/stories.php
  2. ^ Portion repudiates dependence on magic
  3. ^ St. John Bosco - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online
  4. ^ St. Nicholas Owen - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online
  5. ^ St. Genesius - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online
  6. ^ St. Albert the Great - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online
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