#367: Normalizing the Occult (I)

 (Patterns in Seduction)

"Commenting upon the pervasive effects of what is clearly a significant change in the belief system of scores of millions of Americans, Robert Lindsey wrote in the New York Times:

Representatives of some of the nation's largest corporations, including IBM, AT&T and General Motors, met in New Mexico this summer [1986] to discuss how meta physics, the occult and Hindu mysticism might help executives compete in the world marketplace.

... a thread of alternative thought . . . scholars say is working its way increasingly into the nation's cultural, religious, social, economic and political life. On one level, they say, it is evidenced by a surge of interest in new metaphysical religions, mediums, the occult, reincarnation, psychic healing, Satanism, "spirit guides," and other aspects of supernatural belief.

. . . Leaders [in the movement] contend they are ushering in what they call a New Age of understanding and intellectual ferment as significant as the Renaissance.[*]

"The last time anything approaching this mass flight from reason to mysticism occurred was in the 1920's and 30's. It was very likely this great occult resurgence in Western Europe, and particularly in Austria and Germany, which helped to set the stage for Germany's acceptance of Nazism."**

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*From Robert Lindsey, New York Times, cited in Los Angeles Herald Examiner, September 29. 1986. p. B-8; as quoted by Hunt, Dave; McMahon, T.A.. America: The Sorcerer's New Apprentice (p. 6 & 323). The Berean Call. Kindle Edition.
** Hunt, Dave; McMahon, T.A.. America: The Sorcerer's New Apprentice (p. 6-7). The Berean Call. Kindle Edition.

David Charles Haddon Hunt (September 30, 1926 – April 5, 2013) was an American Christian apologist, speaker, radio commentator and author. He was in full-time ministry from 1973 until his death. The Berean Call, which highlights Hunt's material, was started in 1992.[1] From 1999 to 2010, he also hosted Search the Scriptures Daily radio ministry alongside T.A. McMahon.[2] Hunt traveled to the Near East, lived in Egypt, and wrote numerous books on theology, prophecy, cults, and other religions, including critiques of Catholicism, Islam, Mormonism, and Calvinism, among others. Hunt's Christian theology was evangelical dispensational and he was associated with the Plymouth Brethren movement.[3] | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Hunt_(Christian_apologist)

#366: Then and Now?

(Patterns in History?)

26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge (Old Testament | Jeremiah 5:26-28)

#365: "Their Wisdom is Foolishness"

(Patterns in History)

28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.*

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*Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:28-29 (bea)

#364: "After the Image of His Own God"

(Patterns in History)

16 They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.

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*Doctrine and Covenants 1:16 (bea)

#363: "This Is a Rebellious People"

(Patterns in History)

8 ¶ Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:*

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*Old Testament | Isaiah 30:8-10 (bea)

#362: "Sheep Having No Shepherd"

(Patterns in History)

37 O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!*

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*Book of Mormon | Alma 5:37

#361: Blind Watchman: Then & Now?

(Patterns in History)

10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.