Reconciling Faith and Craft:

For many Christians who feel called to explore spiritual craft, there comes a moment of conflict when confronted with scriptures like Galatians 5:19-21, which lists "witchcraft" among the works of the flesh. Another commonly cited verse is Exodus 22:18, often quoted as “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”

At face value, these passages appear to condemn witchcraft outright. But a deeper dive into biblical translation, historical context, and early Christian mysticism reveals a more nuanced understanding—one that has been obscured by centuries of mistranslation and cultural bias.

The Translation Problem: From "Pharmakeia" to "Witchcraft"

In Galatians 5:20, the Greek word “pharmakeia” is translated in the King James Version as "witchcraft." However, pharmakeia is more accurately associated with sorcery through the misuse of potions, poisons, or mind-altering substances, often linked to exploitation, deception, or harm. It is the root of our modern word "pharmacy."

Paul’s warning wasn’t about spellwork, herbalism, or spiritual rituals seeking divine connection. His focus was on practices involving manipulation, deceit, or abusive control, particularly when these acts caused spiritual or physical harm to others.

In short, Paul’s “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5 were not a blanket condemnation of spiritual craft, but rather a caution against using spiritual or material means to exploit or dominate others.

Exodus 22:18 – “Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live”: A Mistranslation of “Sorceress”

One of the most cited verses used against witches is Exodus 22:18, which reads in the King James Version as:

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”

The Hebrew word translated here as "witch" is “kashaph” (כָּשַׁף). The more precise translation of kashaph refers to sorcerers or those who practice harmful magic with malicious intent, such as poisoners, conjurers of malevolent spirits, and those who preyed upon or exploited others, including children, in their rites and summonings.

Historically, kashaphim were known for engaging in dark rituals that harmed communities, especially through acts of deception, curses, and child sacrifice. This is a far cry from modern practitioners of spiritual craft who align their practices with healing, divine communion, and ethical boundaries.

The tragic result of this mistranslation was that the word "witch" became associated with anyone, particularly women, who practiced herbal medicine, midwifery, or folk traditions, leading to centuries of persecution and witch hunts.

Rediscovering Christian Mysticism: The Gnostics and Apocryphal Wisdom

Long before Christianity became institutionalized, early followers of Christ explored mystical traditions that sought personal spiritual connection with the Divine. The Gnostic texts, such as those found in the Nag Hammadi library, reveal a rich tradition of early Christian mysticism that included spiritual visioning, sacred feminine wisdom, and esoteric teachings that were later labeled as heretical.

Books like The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, The Pistis Sophia, and other apocryphal writings offer glimpses into a faith that valued direct, personal experience of the Divine, often through meditative, ritualistic, and visionary practices.

This was not sorcery rooted in harm or manipulation, but a path of spiritual enlightenment, healing, and deep reverence for the mysteries of God’s creation.

Walking in the Fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5 doesn’t end with a list of prohibitions. It continues by describing the Fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities are the measure of a person’s walk with God, not whether they practice a particular spiritual craft or ritual.

When a Christian witch lives out these fruits, they embody the very essence of Christ’s teachings.

If you’re seeking more resources on this topic, I recommend:

1. Discovering Christian Witchcraft by Sara Raztresen
2. Articles on the Nag Hammadi and Apocrypha for early Christian mysticism
3. My own writings exploring how craft and faith can coexist:
4. Christian Witches – Vocal Media
5. Reclaiming the Truth – Vocal Media