What is Gospel Magic?

There is one of a new breed of evangelists who are using the fascinating and ancient art
of illusion to reach deeply into the unchurched world with the gospel.
Christians tend
to confuse "illusion"--which is commonly known as "magic" in today's English--with the
biblically forbidden occult arts of sorcery, magic and witchcraft described in
Deuteronomy 18:10-14 and Exodus 7.

The art of illusion, however, has become a highly effective communication tool for sharing
Christ with a postmodern world.

"I believe certainly we can use illusions [biblically], and they work very, very well, but they
have to be performed according to God's will and clearly as illusions," says Minnesota-based
illusionist Dave Horsager, who travels with his wife, Lisa, as the ministry team Special Delivery.

Fellow Minnesotan Toby Travis, whose colleagues include Horsager as well as distinguished
illusionist André Kole, explains that the idea commonly associated with the word "magic"
today is actually better fitted to the original meaning of the French word "juggler,"
which meant "puzzle for the eyes."

He echoes Gill and Horsager, saying that "magic, sleight of hand, illusion--whatever term
you want to use--is such a wonderful springboard to talk about Christ."

Illusions of Evangelism

Many in the magic world credit Kole with being one of the most creative minds in illusion
today. He has been responsible for helping to develop such world-famous stunts as making
the Washington Monument levitate and the Statue of Liberty disappear, feats made popular
by Kole's good friend and renowned illusionist David Copperfield.

After coming to Christ through an unsuccessful effort to discount Jesus' miracles as
"magic tricks," Kole has dedicated himself to sharing the gospel through his abilities.
While doing so he exposes the lie behind occultic "supernatural" activities such as astrology,
necromancy and psychic fortunetelling.

"[Magic] is probably the most universal form of entertainment," Kole says. "People
like to be fooled, but I always make it very clear that an illusionist is one who presents
an artistic effect creating the image of reality. A magician is one who uses natural means
to create a 'supernatural' effect."

Illusion offers great potential for cross-cultural evangelism. Travis has used illusion to
preach to more than a half million people in Russia, South America and Europe. While
he was stranded in India after 9/11, he spent the days it took to find a way home sharing
the gospel through illusion with many of the country's people.

As Horsager says: "It's kind of like music--it's wow! in any language." Dennis Blacksmith,
a Christian illusionist and first vice president of the international group Fellowship of
Christian Magicians http://www.fcm.org/ (FCM), notes that interest in magic is at an all-time high in the United
States and the rest of the world.

"The highest-paid performers in Vegas are magicians; television abounds with World's Greatest
Magic programs; and David Copperfield is a household name," he says.
He believes that
using a cultural phenomenon to attract attention to the gospel is a wise strategy, especially
when the current social climate of the West is to question the relevance of religion.

"But more than a door-opener, gospel illusion, gospel magic, magic with a message, object
Williams lessons with surprise endings--or whatever name you use--is a good teaching
device," Blacksmith continues. "Since more of what is seen is remembered than what is heard,
the use of object lessons holds interest, builds recall and focuses attention."

Blacksmith traveled recently to Cuba, Nicaragua and South Africa, where he used magic
in his team's evangelistic efforts. For a diplomatic function with the mayor, city
council and press of Masaya, Nicaragua, he was asked to perform a single magic trick
for the adult audience.

"They sat spellbound by the story, message and mystery of the gospel presented in this
unique way," Blacksmith recounts. "Without magic, I would never have been given the
opportunity to give my testimony at this political event."
Gill and his wife,
Andrea, know firsthand the value of live performances in catching young people's attention.
Because teenagers have been raised by the television, he says, the value of his performance
is enhanced because teens see it live, not on a TV screen.

"[Magic] works for us because we've found a good combination [of content and
presentation] for our target audience," he says. The Gills never set out to be a magic act.
Rather, they believed God had called them to reach youth. "I'm an evangelist, and
I just found a creative way to do it," Gill points out. "The only reason I do [illusion] is for outreach."

(An article by Rachel Williams, a freelance writer based in Nashville, Tennessee.)