Introduction
The World Bewitched (1965) was written by Bekker to outline theological and philosophical viewpoints that challenged the notion that ghosts, devils, and angels had an influence on historical events, as well as nature.The story was written at a time when Christianity was being perfected in England and the rest of Europe. During this time, The World Bewitched (1965) was written, Bekker served as a minister in Amsterdam. Protestants needed a philosophical and theological approach to accentuate the assumption that God was the ruler of the world. The need to project God as the authority while discrediting the influence of ghosts, devils and angels, was necessary so that Christianity could take root in England and the rest of Europe. Bekker viewed God as the absolute power over creation. My argument is that The World Bewitched (1965) was used to project God as the absolute power over creation while discrediting the role of ghosts and devils’ influence over nature and historical events. Ghosts and spirits still had a role in revelations. If there is a belief in true religion, then there is need to acknowledge the role of spirits in Revelation.
Biography
Balthasar Bekker lived between 1634 and 1698. Bekker engaged in the writing of philosophical and theological works. A key theme in scholarly works involved criticism to superstition. In early modern England and Europe, Bekker is viewed as a key figure to the end of witchcraft.
Historical Context
The attempt by Bekker to discredit the existence of demons and ghosts was part of Protestant tactics of spreading God’s gospel to the world. The need for Protestants to spread the gospel of God in 1690s could only yield results when everything in the natural world was related to God’s unique power. In the 1690s, controversy over the existence of witchcraft in England was common. Besides, the issue of the presence of spirits, as well as their nature presented a significant theological and philosophical perspective among members of the society. The question whether spirits and ghosts had an influence over people on earth bothered the English people and other Europeans. Also, controversy surrounding the existence of spirits was not only an issue of witchcraft, but church service men also engaged in theological arguments about the nature of spirits and ghosts.
The presence of evil spirits and ghosts led to witchcraft as part of the 1690s society. A witch-hunting society believed that there were evil forces that had power over nature. The belief in witchcraft, therefore, led to a system whereby arguments presented by Bekker were not viewed as credible. The approval of religion and God’s power did not mean there could be an end to witchcraft. In fact, criticism towards the arguments of Bekker on the existence of God and true religion increased in the English society.
Clerics had the belief that the existence of evil and good spirits led to different interpretations of the Bible as well as the existence of God as believed by Christians. God was considered by Christians to be a spirit thereby leading to several theological debates. The key concern was on ‘atheism,’ which was viewed as the power of the devil. Opposition to demons and ghosts was the primary concern for Bekker. Despite opposing the existence of demons and ghosts, Bekker was part of the ministry in charge of reforming traditions as well as the development of theological arguments from within the church. Bekker argues that “I am nothing else by the glory of God, and the defence of true faith”. It is clear that Bekker adopted theological perspective in opposing demons and ghosts rather than engaging in philosophical arguments.
Influential factors at the time
The book “The World Bewitched” is viewed as a service to orthodoxy. Bekker uses the assumption that mind should be used to question the existence of evil spirits in the process of championing for the existence of Christianity. Bekker also viewed the belief in demons and ghosts as a problem to the advancement of Christianity. The society in the 1690s held the joint opinion that ghosts and demons roamed the world. In relation to the arguments held by society members, Bekker argues that "It is because we suffer ourselves to be seduced, and blinded by a false appearance of piety, without having recourse to the light of the Scripture, that we fall into such extravagancies, with which we are pleased and love to continue in them.” Such remarks about the views of the society in the 1690s are common in the book "The world Bewitched". Bekker adds that the opinion of most men matters concerning the existence of the devil. The belief in spirits as part of the society in the 1690s was part of customs learned from tender youth. Christianity was, therefore, necessary to counter customs that confirmed the existence of ghosts and demons in the society.
Bekker identified the need to challenge the existence of demons and ghosts so that the idea of God’s existence could become part of the society. God as a singular power led to Bekker believing that “there was only one God, and for that reason belief in demons or demi-gods had to be rejected.” The belief that God was in charge of nature meant that existence of demons and evil spirits could not be right. According to Bekker, believing in demons and evil spirits is unorthodox. Besides, there is no real reasoning behind the existence of demons and spirits.
Bekker asserts that human beings should use reason to question the existence of demons and ghosts. Reason, through the use of the mind but not the body, is the only reliable method of reaching correct conclusions on the existence of God. When the society adopted the body, especially passions and bad beliefs and strengthened by customs and habits, reason cannot operate smoothly thereby leading to the elimination of superstitions from the society.
A distinction between spirit and matter is necessary. Through the use of reason, it is possible to reach a conclusion that God created the universe. In the universe, spirit and matter were distinct entities from one another. Bekker notes that “A mind is a thinking substance and a body an extended one.” Bekker adds that “Devils are undeniably spirits, and man is composed of a Body and a spirit.” The use of reason to oppose the existence of ghosts and demons is critical to Bekker. The distinction between the spirit and matter would mean that theology and philosophy are necessary for discrediting the existence of demons and ghosts. However, it is not clear whether there is a relationship between matter and spirit. Critics assert that Bekker fails to explain whether spirits have an influence on the body or whether God has any control over bodies in the world.
In the process of explaining whether spirits have an influence on the body, it should be noted that Bekker did not deny the existence of the devil or ghost. The key argument relates to whether ghosts and demons have influence over events in the world. Bekker does not argue based on the existence of demons and ghosts. In particular, ghosts and demons are part of the wrong reasoning of the mind or cognitive mistake. Bekker therefore acknowledges the existence of ghost and devil power in the world. The common mistake of the society in 1690s was in the belief that ghosts had a formidable force in the world. In particular, the society believed in “the Craft and Power of the Devil.”
God, who is a spirit, has influence over the world. The distinction between God as a spirit and demons is explained by Bekker so that God’s singular power is not challenged. Bekker defines God as a singular power that has influence over the universe. The power of God cannot be challenged by demons and evil spirits. The existence of God was necessary as part of attempts to spread Christianity in the 1690s. The society had habits and customs that had to be challenged so that they view the universe as part of God’s creation. Demons and spirits, as part of God’s creation, had no influence on natural events.
Scepticisms
Putting Christian faith against reason was viewed as treason and an attempt by Bekker to argue for atheism. The assumptions that spirits exited but had no influence on life mean that Bekker acknowledges the existence of atheism. Modern controversies surrounding theology and philosophy can be attributed to the arguments of Bekker in the book “The World bewitched”. Clerics experienced attacks on scriptures and miracles. The authenticity of miracles could not be established since Bekker had argued that spirits and demons created by God had no influence in the world. Other aspects such as sovereign authority, supernatural agency, and existing social order led to new challenges to the existence of God. The society, based on their idea of ghosts and demons, rejected the threat to traditional authority and customs that ruled the society.
Scepticism is also based on the idea that Bekker is an atheist. Bekker has been criticised for not offering an exhaustive explanation about true faith or true religion that is consistent with the sovereign power of God. True religion is viewed as a state of the mind or imaginations from tales. As a result, the region is part of superstitions not allowed by the society. Critics also argue that the notion of true or false power only applies to speech but not things. As a result, the idea about truth or falsehood in the existence of demons and ghost should not be presented by Bekker. A claim is true or false based on language use. As a result, it is not appropriate for Bekker to argue that demons and ghost are false or true. For Bekker, something is true when the sovereign power approves them.
Bekker argues that there is God in charge of the universe. Also, Bekker argues that there is the true religion that serves God. However, critics argue that religion should not be based on the need to explain the existence of one God. In particular, human beings have no access to the certainty that there is one God. Since Bekker has no certainty that there is one God, it is not appropriate to argue that demons and ghosts do not exist in the world.
True religion according to critics of Bekker, relates to human scepticism. However, Bekker’s use of reason to explain true religion leans towards the existence of God. Critics also argue that it is possible to consider Bekker approval of God and religion as part of steps that led to acceptance of several gods. Bekker therefore takes a winding route towards explaining the existence of gods.
Religious authorities often seek the power of some kind. However, Bekker believes that the only power that has influence on religion in God’s power. Bekker acceptance of reason as part of attempts of discrediting ghosts and demons is also sceptical. Sceptics believe that associating religion and reason is wrong. Associating reason and religion would mean that the society views religion as the only source of reason thereby leading to weaknesses in Bekker’s arguments. In most cases, religion attracts humanity more than reason. Religious persons may not use reason to explain the reasons that motivated their religious views. Since Bekker gives the power to reason as the guide towards true religion, it is clear that Baker does not acknowledge the role of revelation. The inability for Bekker to acknowledge the role of revelation leads to an assumption that Bekker is an atheist.
The Bible as part of true religion also contains the claim that a woman (eve) as a companion to Adam made dealings with the devil. Such cases show that it is not proof for Bekker to argue that evil spirits do not exist. Evil spirits had an influence on peace and harmony in the Garden of Eden. Critics believe that trials that affect religious person in the society are evidence supporting the existence of ghosts and demons.
Conclusion
Belief in demons and ghost as witchcraft differ in cultures of the world. Beliefs in witchcraft, as well as societies that believe in ghosts and demons should not be subjected to external criticism. Since Bekker has no understanding of each culture of the world, it is wrong to associate demons and ghosts to inferior power that do not have any influence on the life of human beings. Biblical stories on the existence of the devil influencing a woman to eat the ‘forbidden fruit’ are a true reflection that ghosts and evil spirits exist in the world. Bekker’s attempts to explain God as the true and real spirit that has influence over the world was necessary, despite the scepticisms, in spreading Christianity in 1690s England. Discrediting ghosts and demons increased the power of ‘reason’ in questioning assumptions of Bekker. The society, based on experiences, believed that evil spirits and ghosts were part of the supernatural powers that had influence over nature.
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