Once considered a fringe tool mainly for mystics, tarot cards have surged in popularity, appearing in mainstream retail like Walmart. They’ve transformed, becoming not just fortune-telling tools but also instruments for personal reflection, spiritual insight, storytelling, and even gameplay. Interestingly, there are now “Christian” tarot decks available as well.
For a long time, many Christians avoided tarot cards, viewing them as strictly linked to divination, which is explicitly banned in the Bible. However, perceptions have evolved; these vibrantly illustrated decks have found a place in popular culture.
Rick Burgess, the host of the podcast Strange Encounters, raises concerns about the use of tarot cards, warning that they can be “very, very dangerous,” no matter their intended purpose or brand of Christianity.
Rick discusses the curious history of tarot cards. Originating in Italy in the 1400s, they were initially just regular playing cards. It wasn’t until the late 18th century that French occultists promoted them as bearing ancient Egyptian secrets, thus introducing fortune-telling into their use.
“I hesitate to engage with cards that have occult ties for divination purposes, especially since the Bible completely rejects that,” he notes, expressing confusion over how these elements entered Christianity.
He cites a verse from Deuteronomy 18:10-12, which warns against various forms of divination, calling those who practice them “an abomination to the Lord.”
For skeptics who view tarot readings and mediums as mere tricks, Rick offers a serious caution: “When you engage with these cards, you risk inviting dark forces into your life. It’s a way of telling these powers that instead of seeking God’s guidance, you prefer the insights of other beings.”
He believes spiritual entities do manifest but insists they are never benevolent.
“We’re dealing with evil spirits,” he asserts. “The messages we might interpret through these cards? They don’t come from God. That’s the warning; it reflects misplaced trust. Our trust should lie with God alone.”
To delve deeper into Rick’s biblical insights, feel free to check out the full episode linked above.
