Astounding Answers
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the "Astounding Answers" forum at the bottom of this page.
To send a private question, please scroll down
and use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How did you get your start in magic?
As a child in the 1970s, my heart was captured by Doug Henning's television specials, by Bill Bixby in the television series "The Magician," as well as by the magic shows at Six Flags Over Georgia and Houston's Astroworld. The magic set in the Sears' Catalogue became a wish fulfilled one Christmas, and soon I was performing in my neighborhood and at school. Making a few dollars by performing at birthday parties for even younger children, I was able to invest in more magical learning from back issues of Genii magazine and at a small magic shop in Atlanta.
Apart from my younger years in middle school, I have had two other periods in my life when I transcended simply studying magic and actually performed magic. My second phase was during my college and early career years when I performed in clubs and classrooms. The third phase--which is still going strong--started just before I was married when I began performing for companies and at conferences, at parties and banquets--in university lecture halls, on stage, on the streets, in coffee houses, homes, classrooms, churches, book shops, hotels, restaurants, and almost every other conceivable venue.
Apart from my younger years in middle school, I have had two other periods in my life when I transcended simply studying magic and actually performed magic. My second phase was during my college and early career years when I performed in clubs and classrooms. The third phase--which is still going strong--started just before I was married when I began performing for companies and at conferences, at parties and banquets--in university lecture halls, on stage, on the streets, in coffee houses, homes, classrooms, churches, book shops, hotels, restaurants, and almost every other conceivable venue.
2. How do you do that?
One of the most common questions asked of all magicians, these words are rarely used by people who expect to get an answer. Most people are familiar with the "Magicians' Code" to never reveal a secret. When asked, "How did you do that?", some magicians will respond with such quips as "very well, I thought" or "very carefully." Other magicians will seriously explain that thier art takes years of study and practice, requiring much discipline, and that the simple knowledge of some technique or method is only a small part of a magical performance.
One reason magicians guard the secrets of their craft is to preserve the mystery for their audiences. The astonishment and wonder might easily turn to disappointment for those who are exposed to the secret workings of effects, just as movie watchers can be disappointed by being told the ending of a film before seeing it. Exposure of magical secrets is a similar "spoiler" to the fun, entertainment, and that special unexplainable impossiblity that should come with the experience of magic.
The magic community tends to despise "masked magicians" who expose the secrets of the art to make a quick buck by gratifying natural curiosity. At the same time, more than ever before, there is a wealth of help and instruction for those who seriously want to study, practice, and learn to perform magic.
One reason magicians guard the secrets of their craft is to preserve the mystery for their audiences. The astonishment and wonder might easily turn to disappointment for those who are exposed to the secret workings of effects, just as movie watchers can be disappointed by being told the ending of a film before seeing it. Exposure of magical secrets is a similar "spoiler" to the fun, entertainment, and that special unexplainable impossiblity that should come with the experience of magic.
The magic community tends to despise "masked magicians" who expose the secrets of the art to make a quick buck by gratifying natural curiosity. At the same time, more than ever before, there is a wealth of help and instruction for those who seriously want to study, practice, and learn to perform magic.
3. Is magic real?
This question is difficult to answer because the word "magic" has several different meanings: (1) a supernatural or miraculous power, (2) a wonderful or marvelous quality found in art, romantic love, or even nature, and (3) the performance of illusions and effects of conjuring. The answer depends on which meaning one has in mind. Most people who ask an entertainer this question are not addressing the fist meaning, because miracles or "real magic" is a philosophical issue or a matter of faith. Probably few people, too, are questioning the "magic of love" or the "magic of a child's smile." The question is whether magical entertainers believe they are performing supernatural feats.
Today, unlike times past, most performance magic has a built-in disclaimer: everyone knows the magic is not supposed to be real and that a "magician" is a kind of actor who produces wonderful illusions. Many magicians would hope to raise their art to magic in the sense of meaning #2, but only want to give the illusion of magic in the supernatural sense of meaning #1. When performing for certain audiences--such as children or churches, the magician may need to make clear that he is only performing illusions so as to avoid confusion.
Today, unlike times past, most performance magic has a built-in disclaimer: everyone knows the magic is not supposed to be real and that a "magician" is a kind of actor who produces wonderful illusions. Many magicians would hope to raise their art to magic in the sense of meaning #2, but only want to give the illusion of magic in the supernatural sense of meaning #1. When performing for certain audiences--such as children or churches, the magician may need to make clear that he is only performing illusions so as to avoid confusion.
4. How long does it take to learn a new effect?
Just as with learning a language, performing magic requires study and practice, rehearsal and experience. Just knowing how do do a trick is not enough: a trick must be turned into a wonderful effect by thinking and study, it must be made entertaining by scripting and presentation, and finally, it should be made artistic by the hard work of constant practice and rehearsal. Some effects that I learned how to do seven years ago are only now attaining the fluidity and audience appeal that they deserve.
5. Does knowing the methods ruin the wonder for you?
All magicians find another level of wonder and excitement beyond the so-called secrets of magic. There is a greater experience--that of sharing a sense of wonder, mystery, and even love with others. In the beginning, a magician must learn the methods of his craft, but later he can experience the magic from two perspectives at the same time--what the audience sees as well as what he knows. When a magician truly masters magic, the performance becomes so natural that he truly sees and experiences the magic with pure conviction as though the impossible were happening.
6. Do you create your own magic?
Being such a classic art form, in one sense, it's hard to imagine that there is anything truly new or original in the world of magic. Of course, today's magicians breathe new life into the classics, connect with modern audiences, and create their own new characters, themes, and shows. So I do adapt magical effects to fit my own personality and audiences, write my own scripts, and compose my own magic shows.
7. Who are your favorite magicians?
There are so many types of magicians that it is hard to pick one favorite from among all the interesting varieties. Here is a list of my favorites among some of the different branches and venues of magic:
Stage Illusions: David Copperfield
Stand-up Magic: Whit Haydn
Bar Magic: Doc Eason
Street Performing: Cellini
Magic of the Mind: Larry Becker
Children's Magic: David Ginn
Gospel Magic: Andre' Kole
And my all-time favorite of the late, great magicians: Tommy Wonder
Stage Illusions: David Copperfield
Stand-up Magic: Whit Haydn
Bar Magic: Doc Eason
Street Performing: Cellini
Magic of the Mind: Larry Becker
Children's Magic: David Ginn
Gospel Magic: Andre' Kole
And my all-time favorite of the late, great magicians: Tommy Wonder
8. Where did you learn to do magic?
In the 1970s, I studied magic books from the library, watched magicians on television and in theme parks, and read magic magazines. I had a little coaching from the magician at the magic shop. In the 1980s, I attended a magic convention, and I made a few friends in magic who coached one another in a local magic guild. Most recently, I have been befriended by some Chinese magicians as well as some magicians through the internet. I continue to read magic books, watch the performances of other magicians, and follow the five steps of magic progress: study, practice, script, rehearse, perform.
9. Can you explain the pictures on your website?
Many of the pictures used on the Astounding Alan website have been sent in by audience members or friends who attended the shows. Because we haven't used professional photographers, the pictures may seem of low resolution and only the quality of typical home photography. Some people viewing the website may wonder why so many of the pictures are of Asian audiences: the simple reason is that ever since a two-month trip to the Philippines in 1998, I have been continually working and attending conferences in China and Thailand with only short visits back to my hometown in Athens, Georgia every year and a half or so.
10. Should a Christian do magic or conjuring?
[Article used by permission of Robert Hill]
SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DO MAGIC OR CONJURING?
Doesn't the Bible forbid magic, fortune-telling and ventriloquism? Is it right for a Christian to be involved in sleight of hand and illusion--aren't these instruments dishonest and deceptive?
A PROBLEM OF VOCABULARY
First, let's get our terms defined. When the Bible (especially certain translations) uses the term "magic" (e.g. Exodus 22:14) or "sorcery" (Deuteronomy 18:11 et al.) or "ventriloquism" (e.g. Isaiah 8:19), it is clearly dealing with man's involvement in the supernatural, often with the collaboration of evil spirits. The context of the Bible prohibitions make it clear that God does not want man to dabble in games with the devil. Today's manifestations of these forbidden activities are such things as ouija boards, tarot cards, the occult and horoscopes. The Christian has no business playing with these, since they open the door to demonic influence.
Let it be emphasized that no true Christian magician or ventriloquist is in any way involved in the use of supernatural powers.
A problem rises from the fact that certain words have two meanings. "Magic" has the meaning of witchcraft or sorcery, but the word also means sleight of hand and illusion, the surprising and fascinating modern entertainment medium. Obviously the Bible is talking about the first of these meanings and not the second.
Etymologically, the word "ventriloquism" means "belly-talking." As used in the Old Testament, the word refers to fortune telling by means of reading the entrails of slain animals, or demon possession, wherein an evil spirit spoke through a human mouthpiece. Modern ventriloquists create the illusion that their voices come from another source, using this to entertain. Spectators unable to explain this skill misnamed the illusion "belly talking." Again, the Biblical prohibition has reference to one meaning of this word, but not the animation of puppets as is done in the modern entertainment medium. The first thing we must be sure of when dealing with Biblical prohibitions is that we understand what the Bible is in fact saying, so that we do not misapply the truth because of a confusion in vocabulary.
CONFUSION WITH THE SUPERNATURAL
One could raise the objection that it is wrong for the Christian to do any performance that could so easily be misinterpreted as sinful by someone who doesn't know. Doesn't the Bible warn us to "avoid all appearance of evil"? (I Thessalonians 5:22) Couldn't innocent parlor magic or ventriloquism be easily confused with forbidden activity?
In fact, a better translation of I Thessalonians 5:22 is "avoid every form of evil" or "avoid every kind of evil." In dealing with right and wrong, one must always be careful of appearances, but it is not the appearance that makes something right or wrong. The emphasis on appearance is the essence of hypocrisy. If the issue were that Christians are to refrain from doing anything that looks like sin or could be misinterpreted by someone who does not know, then we would never be able to do anything with confidence. According to this thinking, Jesus was correctly rebuked for eating with publicans, for forgiving prostitutes and for touching lepers. Certainly these actions confused many people, but the Son of God knew His mission and performed His ministry in spite of possible objections.
The Gospel magician could easily be confused with the secular entertainer, or worse, with the occultist, just as the Christian singer could be identified with the acid-dropping Satanist, or the preacher could be linked with the immoral talk-show host. Or we could insist that it is wrong for the Christian to read any magazine or paperback book, because immoral people publish sinful books and magazines. Do we believe that because of the sin of some broadcasters, there is no value in the ministry of broadcasting? Part of the issue is whether a godly performer should stop ministry he knows to be right, just because someone else might misjudge his motives or his methods.
Some Christians are very superstitious and assume that anything they cannot themselves understand and explain must be supernatural. Hence they see negative effects as being produced by demons, and every positive event must be a miracle of God. There is, however, great room for neutral events which can be used either for good or for evil.
MINISTRY BY MEANS OF "DECEPTION"?
Another objection is that it is not right for the Christian to use trickery in presenting the truth. No matter how you slice it, magic involves deceit (illusion). Of course some "Gospel magicians" try to get around this objection by never actually saying their hand is empty when it isn't, but they say, "my hand looks empty." This skirts the issue, since the intent is for the audience to believe that the hand was empty (or that the bunny materialized from thin air, or that the red scarf actually turned white, etc.) The deceit was there, regardless of whether the performer told a lie with his words or with his actions.
Here we must deal with the nature of truth. At any given time, a presentation of truth only represents a portion of reality. I carry a photograph of my wife that everyone claims is a very candid likeness, yet it deceives in certain ways. For one thing, my wife is not black and white and gray; for another, she is more than two inches tall and is not flat. But the image abstracted by this photograph captures her expression and personality very honestly. It is an honest--though partial--representation of the truth. The issue is whether the Gospel magician conveys the impression that he is doing supernatural things, or whether he honestly acknowledges its trickery.
After all is said and done, most people acknowledge that magical entertainers do not actually have supernatural powers. If the total presentation is an accurate representation of Biblical truth, the audience will be impressed with the message, and not dazzled by the possibility of humans doing superhuman feats.
A BIBLICAL BASIS FOR GOSPEL MAGIC
It is fine to say that doing Gospel magic is not wrong, but is it right? Is there a Biblical justification for using magic to present Scriptural or spiritual truths?
The first part of the argument comes from Jesus' own use of parables--visual aids. Matthew 13:34 indicates that in Jesus' teaching, He always used object lessons. Sleight of hand and illusion provide a way of presenting some very powerful spiritual messages in a visual way. When a dirty handkerchief--representing sin--is transformed into an egg, it makes a very striking illustration of the change God makes in a person's life when he trusts Christ. Magic tricks have power to gain and maintain attention.
The second part of a Biblical basis for Gospel magic is God's own use of the spectacular as an attention-getting device. He could have dealt with people without using the miraculous, but with Moses He chose to use a bush that burned without being consumed, with Balaam He used a talking donkey; with Joshua He used a destructive trumpet blast to bring down the walls of Jericho, and with Belshazzar He wrote on the wall with a giant hand.
Many of the prophets used spectacular attention-getting devices, such as shaving their head, wearing a rotten garment, making a model of Jerusalem. And what a sight Jonah must have been, bleached from the digestive juices of the great sea monster, as he paraded through Nineveh proclaiming the judgment of God.
But perhaps most spectacular of all are the descriptions of the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. It could have happened without a lot of fanfare, but Christs death was accompanied by darkness and earthquake. The resurrection was accompanied by a blast of light that left the guards stunned and dazed.
I have seen some very impressive and effective use of "magic" to illustrate principles from the Scripture. When sleight of hand and illusion are harnessed for the purpose of explaining Gospel principles, it can be very powerful from a psychological point of view.
PERFORMANCE LEADS TO PRIDE
A serious objection is that when people are amazed and admire the performer, this leads to pride on his part. This is certainly a possibility, and the Christian performer (no matter what art form) must guard against pride. This is true of the Christian singer, actor, magician, ventriloquist--and even preacher! Let us condemn pride in any form and in every presentation, but the possibility of pride should not deter from the exercise of a skill that can point people to God's truth and lead them to Christ.
CONCLUSION
To wind up this brief treatment, let me make several practical suggestions about your own attitude towards "Gospel magic;"
Enjoy "magic" presentations. Don't worry about being fooled. You don't need to understand how every trick is done in order for it to be all right.
Pray for the Christian magician. He wants to present Gospel truths in an effective way, without violating what is proper. It is easy to give in to the sins of pride and presumption. He needs your understanding and support. Praise God that He has given this performer opportunities to present a message at places where a preacher would never be able to speak.
Seek God's mind. Be sympathetic and ask God to help you understand what attitude is right to have towards forms of ministry that you do not wholeheartedly understand or endorse. Realize that the same skill may not be best for everyone, but God can bless it and use it for His glory.
If you continue to have reservations, work them out. Talk to your local Christian magician. He will be happy to discuss them with you!
Thanks for being open to consider some new ideas. I hope they have helped you to gain a new perspective. Read Acts 10:9-20 and rejoice that God opens the hearts and minds of His children who are ready to receive His messages.
"Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks [and honor and glory] through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 1988 by Robert H. Hill
This article may be freely copied and distributed provided that it is done so in its entirety and without charge.
You can correspond with the author, Robert Hill, at: [email protected].
11. Can you answer some other questions that I have?
Yes, I will certainly try to answer your questions. There are two ways you can submit a question:
1. You may send me a private question on the contact form below.
2. You may post a public question on the "Astounding Answers" forum.
To post your question, please register on the forum just below the contact form, choose a category, and click on "new topic."
10. Should a Christian do magic or conjuring?
[Article used by permission of Robert Hill]
SHOULD A CHRISTIAN DO MAGIC OR CONJURING?
Doesn't the Bible forbid magic, fortune-telling and ventriloquism? Is it right for a Christian to be involved in sleight of hand and illusion--aren't these instruments dishonest and deceptive?
A PROBLEM OF VOCABULARY
First, let's get our terms defined. When the Bible (especially certain translations) uses the term "magic" (e.g. Exodus 22:14) or "sorcery" (Deuteronomy 18:11 et al.) or "ventriloquism" (e.g. Isaiah 8:19), it is clearly dealing with man's involvement in the supernatural, often with the collaboration of evil spirits. The context of the Bible prohibitions make it clear that God does not want man to dabble in games with the devil. Today's manifestations of these forbidden activities are such things as ouija boards, tarot cards, the occult and horoscopes. The Christian has no business playing with these, since they open the door to demonic influence.
Let it be emphasized that no true Christian magician or ventriloquist is in any way involved in the use of supernatural powers.
A problem rises from the fact that certain words have two meanings. "Magic" has the meaning of witchcraft or sorcery, but the word also means sleight of hand and illusion, the surprising and fascinating modern entertainment medium. Obviously the Bible is talking about the first of these meanings and not the second.
Etymologically, the word "ventriloquism" means "belly-talking." As used in the Old Testament, the word refers to fortune telling by means of reading the entrails of slain animals, or demon possession, wherein an evil spirit spoke through a human mouthpiece. Modern ventriloquists create the illusion that their voices come from another source, using this to entertain. Spectators unable to explain this skill misnamed the illusion "belly talking." Again, the Biblical prohibition has reference to one meaning of this word, but not the animation of puppets as is done in the modern entertainment medium. The first thing we must be sure of when dealing with Biblical prohibitions is that we understand what the Bible is in fact saying, so that we do not misapply the truth because of a confusion in vocabulary.
CONFUSION WITH THE SUPERNATURAL
One could raise the objection that it is wrong for the Christian to do any performance that could so easily be misinterpreted as sinful by someone who doesn't know. Doesn't the Bible warn us to "avoid all appearance of evil"? (I Thessalonians 5:22) Couldn't innocent parlor magic or ventriloquism be easily confused with forbidden activity?
In fact, a better translation of I Thessalonians 5:22 is "avoid every form of evil" or "avoid every kind of evil." In dealing with right and wrong, one must always be careful of appearances, but it is not the appearance that makes something right or wrong. The emphasis on appearance is the essence of hypocrisy. If the issue were that Christians are to refrain from doing anything that looks like sin or could be misinterpreted by someone who does not know, then we would never be able to do anything with confidence. According to this thinking, Jesus was correctly rebuked for eating with publicans, for forgiving prostitutes and for touching lepers. Certainly these actions confused many people, but the Son of God knew His mission and performed His ministry in spite of possible objections.
The Gospel magician could easily be confused with the secular entertainer, or worse, with the occultist, just as the Christian singer could be identified with the acid-dropping Satanist, or the preacher could be linked with the immoral talk-show host. Or we could insist that it is wrong for the Christian to read any magazine or paperback book, because immoral people publish sinful books and magazines. Do we believe that because of the sin of some broadcasters, there is no value in the ministry of broadcasting? Part of the issue is whether a godly performer should stop ministry he knows to be right, just because someone else might misjudge his motives or his methods.
Some Christians are very superstitious and assume that anything they cannot themselves understand and explain must be supernatural. Hence they see negative effects as being produced by demons, and every positive event must be a miracle of God. There is, however, great room for neutral events which can be used either for good or for evil.
MINISTRY BY MEANS OF "DECEPTION"?
Another objection is that it is not right for the Christian to use trickery in presenting the truth. No matter how you slice it, magic involves deceit (illusion). Of course some "Gospel magicians" try to get around this objection by never actually saying their hand is empty when it isn't, but they say, "my hand looks empty." This skirts the issue, since the intent is for the audience to believe that the hand was empty (or that the bunny materialized from thin air, or that the red scarf actually turned white, etc.) The deceit was there, regardless of whether the performer told a lie with his words or with his actions.
Here we must deal with the nature of truth. At any given time, a presentation of truth only represents a portion of reality. I carry a photograph of my wife that everyone claims is a very candid likeness, yet it deceives in certain ways. For one thing, my wife is not black and white and gray; for another, she is more than two inches tall and is not flat. But the image abstracted by this photograph captures her expression and personality very honestly. It is an honest--though partial--representation of the truth. The issue is whether the Gospel magician conveys the impression that he is doing supernatural things, or whether he honestly acknowledges its trickery.
After all is said and done, most people acknowledge that magical entertainers do not actually have supernatural powers. If the total presentation is an accurate representation of Biblical truth, the audience will be impressed with the message, and not dazzled by the possibility of humans doing superhuman feats.
A BIBLICAL BASIS FOR GOSPEL MAGIC
It is fine to say that doing Gospel magic is not wrong, but is it right? Is there a Biblical justification for using magic to present Scriptural or spiritual truths?
The first part of the argument comes from Jesus' own use of parables--visual aids. Matthew 13:34 indicates that in Jesus' teaching, He always used object lessons. Sleight of hand and illusion provide a way of presenting some very powerful spiritual messages in a visual way. When a dirty handkerchief--representing sin--is transformed into an egg, it makes a very striking illustration of the change God makes in a person's life when he trusts Christ. Magic tricks have power to gain and maintain attention.
The second part of a Biblical basis for Gospel magic is God's own use of the spectacular as an attention-getting device. He could have dealt with people without using the miraculous, but with Moses He chose to use a bush that burned without being consumed, with Balaam He used a talking donkey; with Joshua He used a destructive trumpet blast to bring down the walls of Jericho, and with Belshazzar He wrote on the wall with a giant hand.
Many of the prophets used spectacular attention-getting devices, such as shaving their head, wearing a rotten garment, making a model of Jerusalem. And what a sight Jonah must have been, bleached from the digestive juices of the great sea monster, as he paraded through Nineveh proclaiming the judgment of God.
But perhaps most spectacular of all are the descriptions of the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. It could have happened without a lot of fanfare, but Christs death was accompanied by darkness and earthquake. The resurrection was accompanied by a blast of light that left the guards stunned and dazed.
I have seen some very impressive and effective use of "magic" to illustrate principles from the Scripture. When sleight of hand and illusion are harnessed for the purpose of explaining Gospel principles, it can be very powerful from a psychological point of view.
PERFORMANCE LEADS TO PRIDE
A serious objection is that when people are amazed and admire the performer, this leads to pride on his part. This is certainly a possibility, and the Christian performer (no matter what art form) must guard against pride. This is true of the Christian singer, actor, magician, ventriloquist--and even preacher! Let us condemn pride in any form and in every presentation, but the possibility of pride should not deter from the exercise of a skill that can point people to God's truth and lead them to Christ.
CONCLUSION
To wind up this brief treatment, let me make several practical suggestions about your own attitude towards "Gospel magic;"
Enjoy "magic" presentations. Don't worry about being fooled. You don't need to understand how every trick is done in order for it to be all right.
Pray for the Christian magician. He wants to present Gospel truths in an effective way, without violating what is proper. It is easy to give in to the sins of pride and presumption. He needs your understanding and support. Praise God that He has given this performer opportunities to present a message at places where a preacher would never be able to speak.
Seek God's mind. Be sympathetic and ask God to help you understand what attitude is right to have towards forms of ministry that you do not wholeheartedly understand or endorse. Realize that the same skill may not be best for everyone, but God can bless it and use it for His glory.
If you continue to have reservations, work them out. Talk to your local Christian magician. He will be happy to discuss them with you!
Thanks for being open to consider some new ideas. I hope they have helped you to gain a new perspective. Read Acts 10:9-20 and rejoice that God opens the hearts and minds of His children who are ready to receive His messages.
"Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks [and honor and glory] through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 1988 by Robert H. Hill
This article may be freely copied and distributed provided that it is done so in its entirety and without charge.
You can correspond with the author, Robert Hill, at: [email protected].
11. Can you answer some other questions that I have?
Yes, I will certainly try to answer your questions. There are two ways you can submit a question:
1. You may send me a private question on the contact form below.
2. You may post a public question on the "Astounding Answers" forum.
To post your question, please register on the forum just below the contact form, choose a category, and click on "new topic."