By Hank Hanegraaff

As researcher Charles Strohmer has well said, “Astrology has been debunked more than the tooth fairy and cheered more than the Pope.” Despite the fact that astrology is denounced by Scripture, debunked by science, and demonstrably superstitious, humankind’s fascination with astrology continues unabated. While multitudes view astrology as a harmless pastime, in reality it is a rigged game replete with self-validating prophecies and a dangerous form of divination.

First, Scripture clearly condemns astrology as a practice that is “detestable to the Lord” (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). Isaiah went so far as to say that the counsel of the “astrologers” and “stargazers who make predictions month by month” not only wore out the Babylonians but could not save them from their future ruin (Isaiah 47:13–14). Despite the clear condemnation of Scripture, there are people who maintain there is a biblical precedent for using stars to chart the future: they cite the star guiding the Magi to the Messiah. However, a quick look at context reveals that this star was not used to foretell the future but to forth tell the future. In other words, the star of Bethlehem did not prophesy the birth of Christ; it pronounced the birth of Christ (Matthew 2:9–10).

Furthermore, science has debunked astrology as a pseudoscience that is based on the odd notion that galaxies rather than genes determine inherited human characteristics. Not only so, astrology cannot account for the problem posed by mass tragedies and twins. People with a wide variety of horoscopes all perished on 9/11/2001. And twins born under the same sign of the zodiac frequently end up with very different personalities and widely diverse futures. Even King Nebuchadnezzar’s astrologers recognized the impotence of their craft. When Nebuchadnezzar asked them to tell him of his dream and then interpret it, they responded in terror, saying, “There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks!” (Daniel 2:10).

Finally, astrology subverts the natural use of the stars, which God ordains, for a superstitious use, which He disdains. Genesis 1:14 points to the natural use of the stars to separate the day from the night, to serve as signs that mark seasons, days, and years, and to illuminate the earth. They also can rightly be used for varied purposes ranging from navigation to natural revelation. Thus, sailors may use astronavigation to chart their course; however, saints may not use astrology to chart their careers.

Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, And the monthly prognosticators Stand up and save you
From what shall come upon you. Behold, they shall be as stubble,

The fire shall burn them;
They shall not deliver themselves
From the power of the flame. . . .
They shall wander each one to his quarter. No one shall save you.

Isaiah 47:13–15 NKJV

For further study, see Charles R. Strohmer, America’s Fascination with Astrology: Is it Healthy? (Greenville, SC: Emerald House, 1998).

 

***Note the preceding text is adapted from The Complete Bible Answer Book: Collector’s Edition: Revised and Expanded (2024). To receive for your partnering gift please click here. ***