Using the word "magic" still makes me uneasy, Richard. Simply quoting from St John of Damascus doesn't mean one is thinking the way he did.
And, what I see in the others you have quoted in this series that bothers me is what seems to be the seeking of obtaining all the benefits of illumination and transfiguration without maintaining humility before God, and awareness of how easy it is to turn from him and toward death (sin). God is not **required** to do these things for us; he chooses to do so out of his love for humanity. It's the manipulative aspect of theurgy - even though it's not as intense as in casting spells (or even "accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior" in order to **make** God forgive you) - that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It seems to be another way of wanting the gifts rather than the Giver.
Using the word "magic" still makes me uneasy, Richard. Simply quoting from St John of Damascus doesn't mean one is thinking the way he did.
And, what I see in the others you have quoted in this series that bothers me is what seems to be the seeking of obtaining all the benefits of illumination and transfiguration without maintaining humility before God, and awareness of how easy it is to turn from him and toward death (sin). God is not **required** to do these things for us; he chooses to do so out of his love for humanity. It's the manipulative aspect of theurgy - even though it's not as intense as in casting spells (or even "accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior" in order to **make** God forgive you) - that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It seems to be another way of wanting the gifts rather than the Giver.
Dana