Christian Astrology?

Dear Victorious,

I was recently on the Facebook page of a popular politician in state who professes to be a born-again Christian. But I was surprised to find references to his zodiac sign there. I thought astrology was off-limits for Christians. Just what is astrology and where does it fit in Christianity?

Mamie S. - Lucas, TX

Dear Mamie,

Astrology is the alleged interpretation of an assumed influence the stars and planets exert on human destiny. This is a false belief. In Christian terms, it's heresy.

The Bible strictly forbids astrology as a form of divination (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). God specifies that astrologers are among those who will be destroyed in His judgment (Isaiah 47:13-14). In the Old Testament, God forbade the Israelites to worship or serve the "host of heaven" (Deuteronomy 4:19). But several times in their history the Israelites did it anyway. (2 Kings 17:16 is one example.) The worship of the stars - or believing that the stars had any power over their destiny - brought God's judgment upon the Israelites each time.

We can use the stars to awaken our wonder and marvel at God's power, wisdom and infinite qualities. We can use them to help us keep track of time and place - or even to remind us of God's faithful nature. But our wisdom comes from God ... not the stars (James 1:5). The Word of God, the Bible, is our guide through life (Psalm 119:105).

I don't usually quote so much Scripture, but you've asked about a subject that our society seems to take quite for granted. This is odd given how clearly the Bible forbids it.

So here's the deal. Anyone who calls himself (or herself) a born-again Christian but continues to engage in astrology is either lying about who they are --- or they're ignorant about who God is. It is as simple as that.