STEVE VARRO - Magic With A Christ Centered Flair

THE VALUE OF VISUALS

Visuals have been regarded as great teaching aids since the beginning of time. God used them (The Tree in the Garden, The Rainbow, The Burning Bush), Jesus used them (The Fig Tree, The Coin, The Loaves and Fishes), and every great communicator or teacher has used visuals down through the ages.

Traditionally we think of visuals used in church work as pictures, flannel graphs, maps and charts, props, puppets and more recently, video tapes. But sleight of hand tricks can also be effective visuals for use in teaching the principles of Christianity. Not only do sleight of hand tricks gain attention of audiences of all ages, but because of the mystery of not knowing how they are done, we tend to remember the trick longer. As a result this causes us to remember the lesson longer as well.

We live in a visually oriented society. People remember 10% of what they hear, but they remember 50% of what they see. This is the reason advertisers spend billions of dollars a year to convince us to buy their products and services.

Conscientious ministers and teachers are seeking an answer to such questions as:

How can I get and hold the attention of those I minister to?

How can I help them remember what I teach?

How can I motivate them to put into action the lessons I have taught?

Before one can teach he must first have the attention of those he is teaching. Visuals can help capture attention because they provide a focal point. If you walk into a classroom that sounds like a beehive, it would be far more effective to begin by writing something on the blackboard then to shout "Let me have your attention". You will gain the attention of your students more quickly if you take off your coat, roll up your sleeves and say; "Today's lesson is on work" then if you pound the lectern for order. If you are teaching a lesson on stewardship, don't raise your voice and announce, "Today's lesson is on giving". instead, pull out your wallet, take out a bill and drop it in an offering plate. Then ask the class, "Did I give enough?". By using visuals the teacher has an appropriate object upon which to focus the attention of every member of the class. Since it is easier to focus one's attention on an object than on abstract words, visuals help to hold interest.

The proper use of visuals will help set the mood for curtain activities and will provide the proper atmosphere for instilling basic Christian teaching. For example, when accompanied with proper remarks, the famous picture of Jesus praying in the garden is a fine introduction to a lesson on prayer. Care must be taken however, in selecting the visual that best fits the occasion.

TIPS TO USING SLEIGHT OF HAND IN MINISTRY

Gospel magic is not something new. One of the first books ever written on the subject is titled, "Seeing Truth" by C.H. Woolston, d.d. Written and published in 1910 by the Praise Publishing company. On many occasions, around the turn of the century, Dr. Woolston was a guest speaker at the Winona Bible Conference in Winona Lake, Indiana. During the 1970's and 80's, this conference center was the site of the annual International Fellowship of Christian Magicians convention. If you are serious about using your talents for the Lord I would encourage you to join this organization. For more information contact:

Too often, as beginners in magic all we concentrate on is learning new tricks. Don't make the same mistake others have made by ignoring the showmanship principles of this art form. Instead, take a professional attitude and learn how to make your effects more entertaining as well as more memorable.

You may encounter those who will say that what you are doing is not important.... it's only temporary and will not last. It may be temporary, but it is also necessary. A bath is temporary, but it is necessary. Food is temporary, but it is necessary. If what you share keeps a child interested in the things of God long enough to reach the next spiritual influence, then you have done your job. You may never know how effective your ministry has been until the Lord comes and someone approaches you and says, "Thank you! Because of your willingness to share, I am here today." Temporary? Maybe, but definitely necessary.

The main difference between gospel magic and magic used in secular programs is that the aim of the gospel magician is not just to entertain, but to communicate Biblical truths.

Before learning how to do a few tricks, I think it is important to spend a few moments looking at some things that will help you in your presentation of the effects you will learn in these training workshops.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER reveal the secret of the trick. Once revealed, the effectiveness of the lesson is lost.
The only purpose of the magic trick is to help you better illustrate the message. Never let the trick become more important than the message.
We remember so much longer the things we see, as oppose to the things we hear. For this reason it is most important that the things you teach with your tricks be the truth. Research the scriptures to be sure that the things you teach are Biblical.
Be sure you are confident in your ability to perform each trick effectively. This can only be done through practice, practice and more practice.
Do not talk down to your audience and at the same time never talk over the heads of them by using words they are unable to understand. Your purpose is to share lessons from God's word. Remember the true test of communication is not whether the message was delivered, but whether it was received.
Never present the same trick twice for the same audience. They'll know what to look for the second time and more than likely be able to figure out how it's done.
What you say and how you move is just as important as knowing how to do the trick. Join a theatre or acting group to learn stage presence. If this is not possible read books on the subject to help you in your presentation. Presentation is just as important, if not more so, than the working of the trick.
Be creative, write your own routine for each trick. Just because the trick you bought came with a storyline already written out, does not mean you have to use it. Use words that fit you and your style.
Watch where you look. The audience will look where you look, so if you are hiding something in your left hand and want the audience to think it is in your right hand, be sure to look at your right hand NOT your left.
When performing, be sure you are well lit, but make sure there are no lights behind you.
Whenever possible perform on a platform or stage to make yourself more visible to everyone.
Visit your local library, They have many books on sleight of hand that will help you learn more.
Look in the phone book to locate suppliers of magic tricks and get to know the other magicians in your area. They can help you in your learning, locating and selecting props.
Be careful when purchasing magic tricks. Because of the secretive working of each effect, once you buy it and learn the secret, most magic dealers will not refund your money. Books are usually your best buy. When you buy a trick you get one trick. When you buy a book you get lots of tricks.
Last but definitely not least. Always rely on the power of prayer before each presentation.

WHY SOME CHRISTIANS HATE MAGIC?

Witchcraft and Sorcery are clearly condemned in the Word of God, but many Christian also lump the Art of Illusion and sleight of hand into this area as well.

The main reasons that some people may misunderstand the art of illusion include:

Misrepresentation by Media,
Exaggeration of Facts,
Misuse of the Art by Magicians and
A lack of understanding.

The Media, realizing that sensationalism sells, has blown many stories way out of proportion. These stories, promoting an interest in the supernatural, are found at virtually every supermarket checkout counter in the form of a tabloid publication.

It's interesting to listen to those not involved in the field of illusion describe an effect they've seen done by me or some other magician. The facts are often exaggerated to the point that I hardly recognize the effect. Several people have asked me if I know how David Copperfield vanished a 747 or the Empire State Building. First of it would be unethical to expose the methods used by another magician, and secondly it was a small Lear jet and the Statue of Liberty, not a 747 and The Empire State Building. People do not intentionally exaggerate the facts, but doing so makes it that much harder to distinguish between illusion and reality. Remember David Copperfield never really vanished a jet, or a building. He created the illusion of causing them to vanish.

Magicians for centuries have had a fascination with using little gremlins and demons in their advertising. Some will also appear to hypnotize their assistance to add to the mystery of the effect. The truth is, stage magicians never put anyone into a trance, it's just showmanship. Several magicians go so far as to promote the lie that they possess special powers that enable them to accomplish the things they do. They may be possessed, but it is not with special powers. This deception is only used by a few magicians, but more widely used by so called mentalists, psychics, mediums, psychic surgeons, and saddest of all, so called "Christian" Faith Healers. In Churches where honesty is taken for granted it is very easy for those so called faith healers to deceive even the most intelligent. The art of illusion is designed for entertainment, not deception. The practices of those above put a bad mark on the art, causing many to believe our art is satanic.

When people encounter things they do not understand, they often draw their own conclusions to help them justify the unexplainable. Unexplainable, due only to their lack of knowledge of the subject. Many Christians credit Satan with being in control of the things they don't understand.

Much of the misunderstanding is purely semantical. The Greek language, the original language of the Bible, is a very exact language. Unlike our vague English language that uses one word to express several things. Example: The word Love. Used to indicate a fondness for a food or color, feelings for a friend or devotion to a lover or spouse. The same word is used to say I "Love" apple pie as is used to say I "Love" The Lord my God.

The Greek language uses two words in the Bible that have been translated into the word magic or magician. The first is pharmakos, the second is Magos.

Pharmakos, has three root meanings. The first meaning is "The Use of Drugs". It is from here that we get the words Pharmacist or Pharmacy. The second meaning is the abuse of drugs, and 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 uses the word pharmakos, which is properly translated Sorcerer. A sorcerer who used drugs, potions, spells and enchantments.

The other Greek word, magos, means wise one, learned one or clever one. The word Magos is used in the Bible in reference to those who visited Jesus just after his birth as recorded in Matthew 2:1 In Daniel 5:11 this same word is used in reference to Daniel when he was made "Chief of the Magicians". This Godly young man was not being asked to head up the "sorcerers", which is a position I doubt he would have been interested in, but instead he was being asked to be the head of the kings "Learned" Council, or Cabinet.

To lump these words together would be like saying sharing "Love" with your spouse is the same as making "Love" to a prostitute..... I don't think so!!!!

The other thing we need to take into account is that words take on different meanings throughout the ages. For example; If in 1990 I said to you "That's a 'bad' looking car you're driving." It would be a compliment, but the same statement made in 1950 would have been an insult. To tell you that's a "hot" tie you have on, would have nothing to do with the temperature of your clothing.

Stage magicians use their art (and it is an learned art, like singing or playing a musical instrument), to entertain and make people laugh. That, according to scripture is Biblical "A Merry heart is good like a medicine" Proverbs 17:22.

Sleight of Hand Illusions can also be used as a teaching aid. We learn a lot more by what we see then we do by what we hear. We retain 5 times as much information that comes through our eyes as as we do that which comes through our ears.

In the year 600 BC, there was a man know as Aesop, we have all heard of his fables. In Jesus' day the entertainment medium of the day was the storyteller. Jesus used the medium of his day to communicate to the people. If he walked this earth (in the flesh) today, I believe he would use the methods of our day to reach as many people as would be possible. Let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. It's not the item, but the intention that is important.

I make it very clear in my programs that what I am doing is strictly sleight of hand, Object lessons to more clearly illustrate Christian principals.