Ever since the dawn of time, people have had a deep fascination with astrology and its ability to divine our future. For some, it’s just an interesting curiosity or hobby, but for many Christians, this popular practice can be a source of confusion and anxiety.
So what is the truth? Is astrology truly a sin according to Biblical standards? Let’s dive into this complex topic so that we can gain clarity on this issue!
What is Astrology?
For understanding if astrology is a sin, we must first define what we mean by astrology.
Astrology is the belief that the positions and movements of celestial bodies, such as stars and planets, have an influence on human life.
This belief has its roots in ancient civilizations, where astrology was used to make predictions about the future, diagnose illnesses, and even choose marriage partners.
Also, the signs of the zodiac are associated with astrology, with the help of these signs people determine the character of a person and his fate based on the date of birth.
Is Astrology A Sin?
In Orthodox Christianity astrology is considered a form of divination, which is strictly forbidden in the Bible. Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.
In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, we read: «There shall not be found among you anyone who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord…»
Astrology is a substitute for God. The idea that the planets and the date of birth can tell us about the fate of a person is completely contrary to Christianity and rejects God. Faith in astrology is equal to avoiding God since the two faiths are incompatible.
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The Teachings of The Church Fathers
The Church Fathers also wrote against divination and those who practiced it. For example, Saint John Chrysostom wrote: «Let there be no one among you who uses divination, no soothsayer, no augur, no sorcerer, no charmer, no one who consults ghosts or spirits or seeks oracles from the dead. For anyone who does these things is an abomination to the Lord.» (Homily on the Acts of the Apostles 3:5).
Pagan Divination
Astrology has many common features with pagan divination. Some people associate astrology with energy emanating from space. This is equivalent to believing in various spirits, that is, astrology is nothing but paganism.
Based on the teachings of the Church Fathers, we can conclude that the use of astrology as a means of divination is sinful. Believing in astrology is considered a sin too since a person who believes in astrology can’t accept Christian theology at the same time.
In 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, St. Paul writes: «I have the right to do anything, you say—but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything—but not everything is constructive.»
In other words, just because something isn’t forbidden in the Bible doesn’t mean it’s beneficial or worth practicing. The Bible exposes many things that are directly related to astrology, so we can conclude that practicing astrology is not only useless but also sinful.
Using Astrology As Entertainment
The use of astrology for entertainment might seem harmless, but it can lead to an unhealthy faith that has nothing in common with reality. A person starts believing in the stars thinking that the most important is fate rather than free will.
Saint John of Damascus wrote about the dangers of astrology in his work “An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith”.
He warned: «The stars and their movements do not compel us to act in a particular way, but only incline us and dispose us to act in a certain way. And the fact that we are inclined in a certain direction does not mean that we must act in that way, for we have free will and the ability to choose.»
Making The Wrong Actions
Astrology can lead us to believe that our lives are predetermined by the stars, rather than by our own choices and actions. Because of this a person can start making wrong actions forgetting about his own will and needs. This belief can be harmful and lead us away from God and His plan for our lives.
Christians believe in the sovereignty of God. The Bible teaches that God is in control of all things, including the movement of the stars and planets.
In the Bible we can read: «Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing.» (Isaiah 40:26)
From this verse, we can see that God is the creator of the whole world including space, the stars, and planets. Believing in astrology to know someone’s future or to make decisions about life can be seen as a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty.
What Do Priests Say About Astrology?
Orthodox priests would definitely discourage their parishioners from using astrology. All priests say that using the movement of the stars and planets to make decisions about lives is a sinful and useless activity.
They may also caution against using astrology for entertainment. A Christian can’t believe in both things, since astrology contradicts Christianity, so a person should find a better way for spending time. Even if some activity is useless but it lets a person rest, it shouldn’t be contradictive against religion.
Instead, Orthodox priests would encourage their parishioners to put their trust in God and His plan for their lives and to seek guidance and wisdom from prayer, the sacraments, and the teachings of the Church.
They can also remind their parishioners of the dangers of divination and the importance of personal responsibility and free will in making decisions about their lives.
Final Thoughts
It can be concluded that astrology is a sinful belief. This pseudoscience has no justification in the Bible, on the contrary, the Bible speaks out against such practices.
Also, the Church Fathers clearly described their point of view against astrology. Faith in astrology contradicts faith in Christ and has no meaning for Christians.
Instead of believing in the freedom of will given to man by God, astrology teaches people that their fate is predetermined by some space energy, that is, a person begins to believe in fate, which as karma can’t be changed. This is a purely pagan belief, which has no place in Christianity.
Charalampos
Charalampos is an Orthodox Christian who wants to help others learn about Christianity. His main goal is to help people understand the Bible and how to apply its teachings in their everyday lives. He also enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and hiking.
Connecting with God is essential to praying effectively and receiving answers. Our FREE cheat sheet will help you build a strong relationship with God and create an effective prayer life.
