Williamson Productions: Site News http://www.williamsonproductions.com/mod/news/group.php?category_id=1 Feed en-us no@body.com Copyright 2010 2010-09-07T09:18:11-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 How can "magic" be used to illustrate the Bible? http://www.williamsonproductions.com/n/how_can_magic_be_used_to_illustrate_the_bible.html http://www.williamsonproductions.com/n/how_can_magic_be_used_to_illustrate_the_bible.html Here are four examples of how tricks can be used to illustrate truths from the Word of God. Feel free to pass them on! Click here to read these great examples!]]> 2008-01-01T00:00:00-05:00 Are you ready? http://www.williamsonproductions.com/n/are_you_ready.html http://www.williamsonproductions.com/n/are_you_ready.html Time is running out... who knows, maybe God will deliver one of YOUR kids at our next show!

We don't mean to be presumptious or to sound the wrong way.  However, God is blessing our ministry with the fruit of salvation.  Over 100 kids have accepted Christ at our shows in 2007 alone, and since going full-time in Feb 2008 (as of June 15), over 350 more kids/adults have joined the kingdom!  We understand that it's not about the numbers, but it's a confirmation of God moving in this ministry.  We also know that GOD is in it for the numbers, for He wants all to come to a saving knowledge of the truth.  I've been a Christian for many years, and this video has IMPACTED my life with God and my sense of urgency for this ministry.

Click HERE to view the video that can change your life... for eternity!

]]> 2007-11-03T00:00:00-05:00 What does the Bible say about "magic" as a ministry? http://www.williamsonproductions.com/n/what_does_the_bible_say_about_magic_as_a_ministry.html http://www.williamsonproductions.com/n/what_does_the_bible_say_about_magic_as_a_ministry.html
'This Is Just Theater'
'This Is Just Theater'
Despite the proven credibility of illusion as a useful tool in communicating the gospel, some Christian magicians have experienced criticism and censure from the church, though that resistance is rapidly fading.
However, for evangelists who are influencing society for Christ by using illusion, the greatest resistance comes not from other Christians who disagree with the technique, but from Satan, who knows that effective ministry can change people's lives.
"There's a spiritual war that's pretty obvious that goes on just naturally. With what we do, since it's very heavily evangelistic, I think there's an extra spiritual opposition [or] battle that goes on wherever we go."
 
Is it okay to use “magic” in ministry?

 
There are still SOME Christians who view magic and what the Bible says about it incorrectly. First, let us make it very clear that when we use the word “magic”, it is in the sense of prestidigitation, sleight-of-hand, gimmicks and tricks. It is not in reference to the evil side of witchcraft or sorcery. We make every effort to use the words “Christian illusionist” or “Gospel magician” in all our correspondence, and in every performance we explain that what we do isn’t magic, but tricks, and that we don’t perform miracles, only God does.
 
An actor in a movie is playing a part. They are using their skills to make you believe they are someone else… the character in the movie. You know that Dustin Hoffman is not really Rainman, or Captain Hook, or any of the other characters he has played in his career. But through skill, direction, camera trickery and makeup he can pull those roles off with great expertise. 
 
As a “magician”, or a “puppeteer”, we are using our God-given skills to play the parts in our show, whether as a “magician” or as ourselves, to bring you entertainment. You know that the puppets aren’t really talking. 
 
The Greek language uses two words in the Bible that have been translated (in some cases, with error) into the word “magic” or “magician.”
 
 
 
The first is Pharmakos, which has three root meanings.
 
1.    The first meaning is “the use of drugs”, and is where we get the words Pharmacist and Pharmacy.
 
2.    The second meaning is the abuse of drugs.
 
3.    The third meaning is “the abuse of drugs with the intent of harming another person.” This is Sorcery or Witchcraft and is clearly condemned in the Bible. 
 
In Rev 21:8, the original Greek language uses the word Pharmakos, which is properly translated Sorcerer. A sorcerer is one who used drugs, potions, spells and enchantments.
 
The other Greek word, Magos, means wise one, learned one or clever one. This word is used in the Bible in reference to those who visited Jesus just after his birth (Three wise men, Matthew 2:1). In Daniel 5:11 this same word is used in reference to Daniel when he was made “Chief of the Magicians” (see also Daniel 2:2). This Godly young man was not being asked to head up the “sorcerers”, but instead he was asked to be the head of the kings’ “learned” Council.
  
Why A Visual Illustration?
Around 2,000 years ago the greatest Person who has ever lived gave the greatest challenge that has ever been given. The challenge was to take His message of love and forgiveness to every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth. (Matthew 28:20)
Whenever possible Jesus would use simple, everyday, earthly examples, called parables, to help clarify and communicate a heavenly truth. That is the purpose of this VISUAL presentation of the Gospel.
Studies have revealed that after 24 hours the average person will only remember 6% of what he or she hears, but they will remember about 60% of what they see (percentages differ from study-to-study).  This visual presentation of the Gospel now makes it possible for a person to not only hear the Gospel but to SEE the Gospel. They can see the problem, they can see the solution, and they can see the results of receiving Christ.
 
 
Good vs. Bad, Truth vs. Deception 
 
Satan will use half-truths and lies to try to deceive and cause God’s children to stumble.   We may tell a story with a trick that is not true, and we make it very clear while doing this. It is done for the purpose of providing “entertaining patter”.
 
As Gospel Magicians, or Christian Illusionists (as most would prefer), we create an entertaining illusion using special gimmicks, props and sleight of hand – all designed to illustrate truths from God’s Word. Jesus used items around him to teach parables. We are in keeping with this concept. 
 
We perform tricks, not magic. These tricks are not to deceive you, but through entertainment direct your senses to hear and see the illustration of Biblical truths, all for the sake of good, clean entertainment…but even more so for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. We believe in miracles but don’t perform them. Only God can do that!
 
In some of our shows we use tricks that display how the world is filled with deception and that as Christians we need to be on the lookout for such things. We will ALWAYS edify the name of Christ and point the way to His truths. This entire theme holds true while using puppets to tell a story, or even while twisting balloons into shapes and teaching lessons about God’s love for us through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross.
 
What you will see in our show is designed to not only entertain you, but to bring you into the Word of God in a way that will “Catch your eyes, causing you to listen with your ears, so the Lord can touch your hearts!”
 
 
Further study on the topic of using magic, puppets and ventriloquism in Gospel ministry:
 
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS TAKEN FROM THE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN MAGICIAN’S WEBSITE (www.fcm.org). IT IS USED BY PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR.
 
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 makes 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 Christ’s 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 these 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.
(Note: Grammatical corrections were made, changing this article slightly from the original as found on the FCM’s website.)
]]> 2007-10-23T00:00:00-05:00 How much do you charge? http://www.williamsonproductions.com/n/how_much_do_you_charge.html http://www.williamsonproductions.com/n/how_much_do_you_charge.html
A discussion on fees & love offerings for our ministry.
OFTEN, WE ARE ASKED TO GIVE A SET AMOUNT THAT WE REQUIRE FOR OUR SERVICES...
Through prayer and by seeking God’s wisdom, we have decided not to charge a fee for our services. However, we ask that the church cover our expenses (meals, lodging, and the current IRS approved rate for mileage), and that there be a love offering taken on our behalf to support this ministry. 
We certainly do not want to be a burden on the church, but instead a blessing. Although we prefer hotel accommodations, we are happy to stay with a family of the church on a case-by-case basis. 
We prayerfully stand on God’s Word as the basis for the love offerings and request for expenses to be covered. Here are some verses that we’ve prayed about in making this decision:
“We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.” 2 Corinthians 8:20-21.
…All funds received by Williamson Productions first go to cover the expenses incurred with this ministry and then are used to support the needs of our family. This is a full-time ministry!
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”                                     2 Corinthians 9:6-8
…By asking for a love offering, we are inviting everyone individually to seek their heart prayerfully as to how much they feel led to offer in support of our ministry. This gives the individual an opportunity to obey God’s prompting and to respond as they are led by the Holy Spirit. We firmly believe that God will bless as He chooses, both the gift and the giver, and that He will provide the necessary funds to allow us to continue serving Him.
“We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned us, a field that reaches even to you… Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.” 2 Corinthians 10:13, 15b-16.
…If we were to set in place a fee for our ministry, then we are either boasting beyond our limits by asking too much or limiting the potential blessing that God may have for us.  
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” I Timothy 5:17-18
]]> 2007-10-23T00:00:00-05:00