Going The Distance - Patrick Madrid

Uh Oh, It's Magic
These particular lucky charms are not magically delicious

There's a lot of weird stuff on the Internet. True, the Information Superhighway is a great avenue for communication and instant exchange of information and ideas, but it's also the modern equivalent of a bandit-infested European highway in the Middle Ages. A lot of dangers lurk out there.

One you may not be aware of is the occult. The kingdom of darkness is flourishing in the dark corners and back alleys of cyberspace, extending its malignant tentacles and finding many new victims. Some occult groups out there are your basic, no-frills Satan-worshipper types. Their activities and beliefs are so repulsive few people are likely to be drawn in.

But there are more "classy," more insidious forms of occult activity that are quite attractive to a modern culture that has repudiated its Christian heritage, but still yearns for some sort of spirituality. This hunger is being fed by the growing number of groups spreading paganism, Wicca and Magick. Many Christians are being caught in the net of "white magick" groups that's being cast across cyberspace.

In this issue you'll read John Gibson's conversion testimony. A former pagan and dabbler in Wicca and Ceremonial Magick, he promoted paganism heavily on the Internet. Now he takes you into the dark labyrinth where he wandered blindly, until he finally encountered the Light that would lead him to freedom -- the Light of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ. His story begins on page 12.

Precision guesswork while you wait

On page 28, you'll find Mark Shea's expose of the latest infomercial scam: "Psychic Hotlines." These operations are springing up like weeds, bilking the gullible, hooking them, and keeping them coming back for more.

Every age has its share of charlatans, and the late 20th century is flush with one doozy of a bumper crop of snake-oil salesmen. We're bombarded from every direction by come-ons for "psychics" who, for a modest per-minute price, are ready and willing to tell us what to do, how to do it, what to believe, and what not to believe. TV infomercials, highway billboards, even e-mail spam, abound. Just today I received the following e-mail message:

"I hate to brag about all of my successful predictions lately such as John Denver's tragic plane crash and Princess Diana's automobile crash, but if I don't make you aware of my God gifted powers, you will never know to call me in regards to your life. I am Jeanne Dixon, a well known psychic, medium, healer, spiritualist, clairvoyant and astrologer. My horoscopes and psychic predictions are found in all of the major newspapers and publications worldwide. I can predict your future. I can ease your pain. I can help you make decisions that are important in your life. I can help resolve job anxieties. I can help remove spells. I have a psychic pool filled with hand picked psychics all with the same capabilities as mine. STOP procrastinating. STOP complaining. STOP worrying. Just pick up the telephone right now and make this very important call.

"Please do not let both John Denver's and Princess Diana's deaths be in vain. We have helped millions of people just like you to resolve the unknown and prevent such unnecessary tragedies. Please call today and let us help you. My psychic facility can be reached 24 hours per day and seven days per week including holidays. I know your life would be more positive if you receive some additional guidance with finances, your relationship, your job, and even your health. I want you to know that the stress you are feeling right now will disappear just by talking to me today."

Right. There's plenty more than money that's at stake here. These silly psychics may be buffoons, prancing jesters in the court of the prince of darkness, but they represent what for many is the first, unwitting step down that wide and well-paved road to spiritual ruin.

Some major new additions in 1998

In our January/February 1998 issue, we're rolling out some exciting new features that I know you'll really like. Besides several new departments, by leading Catholic personalities who will be joining our staff (I'll give you full details in our next issue), we're also going to bring you -- in each issue of Envoy -- "God's Word To You," Dr. Scott Hahn's powerful and prestigious newsletter, produced by his Institute for Applied Biblical Studies.

Envoy subscribers -- and only Envoy subscribers -- will receive the complete newsletter bound into each issue of Envoy, at no extra charge. Imagine. Every time you receive a new issue, you'll also be getting a brand-new, four-page newsletter on applied biblical studies, directly from Scott Hahn himself. He personally edits this excellent study resource, bringing you a treasure-trove of biblical insights and teaching. Your study of the Catholic Faith and Scripture will be supercharged by Scott Hahn's personal teachings. It's like having Scott Hahn as your private Scripture tutor.

And as I said, it comes to each and every Envoy subscriber at no charge, and the only place Scott Hahn's exciting teaching is available in this form is in Envoy. So don't forget to renew your subscription when the renewal notice comes in the mail!

News from the Battle Front

Bud Macfarlane, Jr. (profiled in Envoy's Premier Issue), director of the Mary Foundation, is spearheading an effort to educate lay Catholics in the finer points of Marian doctrines. His latest resource is a 60-minute cassette tape called "The Truth About Mary," featuring former Protestant minister Marcus Grodi and me. Marcus and I explain from Scripture various Marian doctrines. Get your free copy of this new tape (donations are accepted) by contacting The Mary Foundation, P.O. Box 26101, Fairview Park, OH 44126. You can visit their Web site at www.CatholiCity.com.

Move over, Hank Hanegraaff

For far too long, Evangelical Protestants have dominated the radio airwaves. That's about to change now that Catholic Answers is launching its own daily, live, call-in radio program: "Catholic Answers LIVE!" The daily broadcast, hosted by Jerry Usher, will be a solid hour of pure apologetics. The show will debut in early January on the WEWN shortwave radio network and will be simulcast on several AM and FM stations around the country. I will be a guest on the show discussing new evangelization trends on Jan. 19, 1998, 6 p.m. EST.

Envoy will keep you informed on the specifics of the stations and times this show will air, but in the meantime, you can request a program guide by contacting Catholic Answers at P.O. Box 17490, San Diego, CA, 619-541-1131, or visit their Web site at www.catholic.com.

And in other news . . .

I recently engaged in two brief, written debates on the subject of sola scriptura with Doug Jones, a Reformed Protestant apologist and editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine. The first debate appeared this Spring in Credenda/Agenda, the second came out in Regeneration Quarterly magazine. Both debates are available at the Envoy Web site. I think you'll find them helpful in understanding how many Evangelicals explain and defend sola scriptura, as well as how to respond.

Goodbye, Heaven's Rose

As you know, Mother Teresa died recently. I can't think of a single thing I could possibly say in her honor that hasn't already been said more eloquently and a thousand times over by others around the world.

The closest I ever came to her was when I was in the eighth grade. It was 1973 and she had come to speak at a conference in Southern California. Sitting there in the audience, I had no idea who she was, but my mom whispered to me, "She's a living saint. Always remember that you saw her before she went to heaven." I always will.

Mother Teresa, I'm the young man in the 22nd row. And I would've liked to have known you, but I was just a kid. Though I never knew you at all, you had the grace to hold yourself while those around you crawled. Please remember to pray for me.