"An astrologer and a Christian?"

I saved the Friday, October 31, 2008 "Life" section of the Huntsville (AL) Times because it had a story about an astrologer named Keisha Tafari, and I knew when I had time I was going to have to comment. There was a sub story with the title that I’m also using for blog post:

        An astrologer and a Christian?

“Sure. A Christian can study astrology”, says Keisha Tafari, minister of music at Unity Church on the Mountain and a student of astrology for about 13 years. She holds a first-level certification from the School of Metaphysics.

She turns in the Bible to Genesis 1:14: "God said, 'Let there be lights in the dome of the sky...and let them be for signs and for seasons.'" Then to Luke 21:25, where Jesus is talking to his disciples about the days before his second coming: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars."

"It's almost like we're instructed to study astrology, that it's a form of God's guidance along the say," Tafari said...

I’ve often wondered how someone can honestly think this way. Unfortunately, as incorrect as I believe this lady's thinking is, reasoning like this isn't uncommon. What I suspect happens is that people have some idea in their head or some belief that feels good to them and want to pretend that the Bible supports it. So they pick a verse or two that might, possibly, kind-of-if-you-read-it-just-right, almost, sort of imply that belief. And they ignore many other verses that much more clearly address the issue (in this case ones such as Isaiah 47:13-14, Deuteronomy 4:19 and 18:9-12, Leviticus 20:6, Daniel 1:20 and 2:27-28, Acts 16:16-18, 2 Chronicles 33:5-6, Revelation 3:16, Matthew 7:22-24, etc.).

Many of us will scoff at the thought of Christianity being compatible with astrology, but let's ask ourselves whether we're making the same mistake. Do we hold beliefs just because they are comfortable? Have we checked them against what the Bible actually says (as opposed to what we want it to say)? I think our obligation to do just that should be stronger than our ability to rationalize our way out of it. Remember what Jesus said in Luke 6:46: "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"