Magic… Science… And The Hunger for Raw Power

“Trust the Science” or Trust God? A Biblical Take on Power and Knowledge

Check out the news on any given day, and you’ll find headlines about artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, or new biotech vaccine breakthroughs that promise to “upgrade” humanity. We’re told these new marvels will cure diseases, extend life, and maybe even make us immortal.

The buzz sounds modern, but the dream behind it is ancient. From the beginning of history, humans have tried to master the world around them. Some turned to spells and rituals, others to inventions, and still others to political power.

On the surface, magic, science, and politics all look very different. But underneath, they often spring from the same root: humanity’s urge to replace God with ourselves at the center. The Bible makes clear that this urge isn’t harmless curiosity. Nope, it’s open rebellion. When we try to control the world on our own terms, we twist creation, abuse power, and build idols out of our own cleverness. (Fauci acted confident and clever, didn’t he?)

Alright, let’s look at how this plays out in magic, science, and power… and why Scripture offers such a different, and cautionary, vision.

What’s Really Wrong with Magic?

When we hear “magic,” most of us think of stage tricks or fantasy stories. But biblically, magic means something more profound. Magic is about control. It’s the attempt to bend unseen forces to your will.

The problem isn’t just that magic taps into demonic powers. It assumes humans can dictate reality through rituals, formulas, or secret knowledge. That’s why the Bible consistently condemns it (Deuteronomy 18:10–12; Acts 19:19).

At its heart, magic is autonomy weaponized. It bypasses the Creator and tries to harness creation itself. That makes it more than a superstition. It’s a counterfeit religion, promising salvation through technique instead of through God’s grace.

When Science Becomes Sorcery

Science in itself is a gift. Psalm 111:2 says, “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” Real science glorifies God by uncovering the beauty and order He built into creation.

It’s important to note that the Bible does not condemn science, but rather warns against the misuse of knowledge and the elevation of human understanding above God’s wisdom.

But when science cuts itself off from God, it drifts into the same territory as magic. Detached from its Creator, science is twisted into a tool for domination. Technology becomes an idol, and knowledge is treated as a path to salvation through human ingenuity.

That’s why the line between ancient magic and modern scientism isn’t as wide as we think. Both assume man can master the world through formulas and techniques, without bowing to God.

The Power Thread

The common denominator in magic and misused science is power. Power exposes what you really trust.

Think of the Tower of Babel. The project was architectural, technological, and political. But at its core, it was magical: “Let us make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4). God broke it apart, proving that power without Him leads to chaos.

The pattern hasn’t changed. Ancient rulers leaned on sorcerers to secure their thrones. Modern governments lean on “scientific authority” to ensure their agendas. Knowledge becomes a means of control, not truth.

God’s Different Vision of Power

The Bible cuts against this drive for domination. It starts by declaring that all truth belongs to God: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). Knowledge without reverence distorts into arrogance. Knowledge pursued with humility becomes wisdom.

Scripture also teaches that human power is temporary. Rulers are stewards under the King of kings (Romans 13:1). Authority only has legitimacy when it submits to God and serves others. Jesus redefined greatness when He said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Real power doesn’t manipulate or dominate. Rather, real power serves.

And the gospel frees us from the exhausting cycle of self-deification. The cross shows the futility of humanity’s obsession with autonomy. While the world seeks salvation through control, Christ offers it through surrender. His resurrection proves destiny belongs to God alone.

Our Modern Obsession with “Magical” Science

Look around at our world. Genetic engineering, mRNA vaccines, artificial intelligence, and dreams of transhumanism are all fueled by the desire to transcend human limits. These aren’t neutral projects. They echo the sorcerer’s rebellion.

Whenever we try to redesign life apart from God, we’re not just advancing science. We’re repeating Babel. And while our culture currently scoffs at spells, it still bows to “magic”—it just wears a lab coat now.

Again, think Covid. Notice how often we heard the phrase “trust the science,” as though science were infallible. That isn’t real science. Real science involves the hard questioning of data and empirical testing. What we have now is science as dogma—science-as-magic, in a sense demanding worship.

The Trap of Syncretism

Another form of magical thinking is syncretism—mixing belief systems or powers to create something supposedly more substantial. In religion, it shows up when people blend faiths, trying to pull strength from many gods.

In politics, it shows up when leaders stitch together alliances and ideologies that contradict each other, chasing control through numbers instead of truth.

In religious life, it appears when people blend faiths, seeking strength from multiple deities. In politics, it shows up when leaders stitch together alliances and ideologies that contradict each other, chasing control through numbers instead of truth.

God condemns this because it assumes human beings can manipulate reality by mixing powers. Israel’s history is full of warnings about syncretism, where worship of Yahweh got polluted by Canaanite gods. The result was corruption and judgment. Syncretism promises strength but delivers collapse. This is a warning we must heed.

Magical Thinking in Everyday Culture

We may think magic is dead, but its mindset still drives culture. Many assume today’s choices automatically ripple into the future as if the universe runs on moral contagion. “If we’re merciful to criminals, they’ll become merciful.” “If one nation disarms, others will too.” All B.S.

These assumptions rest on a magical belief in the continuity or chain of being… the idea that human action always directly shapes ultimate outcomes. It sounds rational, but carries the same flaw: trying to control destiny without God.

Even in personal life, people rely on rituals, behaviors, or systems to “guarantee” success. It’s a softer form of sorcery, but the heart issue is the same: trusting human control over divine Authority.

A Call for Discernment

Christians aren’t called to retreat from science or knowledge. We’re called to redeem them. Science is worship when it studies creation with awe instead of arrogance.

Dominion is stewardship, not domination (Genesis 1:28). This is the biblical perspective that should guide our understanding and use of science and knowledge.

Most importantly, Christ alone holds absolute mastery over the world. Not through formulas. Not through technology. Not through politics. But through His Word and Spirit.

So the choice before us is simple: Will our pursuits look like Babel—grasping for power—or like Christ, who laid down power to serve?

The Final Word

If nothing else, the great Covid vaccination scam provides an excellent example of humanity’s chasing after magic, science, and ultimately… power.  It’s a story of dishonest scientists pushing magic for the sake of raw power.  It’s also a story of grossly misplaced trust on the public’s side. Whenever we try to seize control apart from God, we end up enslaved by our own creations. But when we submit knowledge and power to Christ, they’re redeemed for service and worship.

The question every generation faces is this: Are we trying to magically manipulate the world for our power and glory, or receiving it as a gift for God’s glory?

That’s not a minor detail. It’s the difference between idolatry and worship, between futility and flourishing. And in a world still enchanted by power, the church must remind everyone of the greater truth:

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

Source: https://www.offthegridnews.com/religion/magic-science-and-the-hunger-for-raw-power/