Astrology

Definition and Meaning

Astrology (Korean jeomseongsul, 占星術) is the practice of foretelling the future by interpreting the positions and movements of the sun, moon, planets, and stars, based on the belief that they influence human character and destiny as well as the fortunes of nations. Although it is concerned with the same heavens, it is distinct from astronomy, which observes the motions of celestial bodies to explain natural phenomena. Today its most familiar form is the horoscope, which interprets a person's character and fortune according to the zodiac sign of his or her birth date.

Biblical and Historical Background

Astrology is generally thought to have developed in ancient Mesopotamia, and in the Bible it likewise appears in connection with Babylon. Isaiah 47:13 declares that Babylon's "astrologers, the stargazers" cannot save the nation from the coming disaster. Jeremiah 10:2 tells Israel to "be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them." Deuteronomy 4:19 forbids the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, and Deuteronomy 18:10–12 prohibits practices such as divination and enchantment. On the basis of these passages, Christianity has regarded astrology as a form of divination or idolatry, because it entrusts one's destiny to the stars rather than to God's providence (God's work of governing and guiding the world).

The Magi of Matthew 2 came seeking the infant Jesus after seeing a star. Many interpreters regard them as astrologers from the East. The church, however, has generally read this account as a story of God drawing even the Gentiles to Christ, not as an endorsement of astrology.

Augustine consulted astrologers in his youth but later abandoned his belief in astrology. In The City of God he refuted it by pointing out that twins born at the same time lead different lives. The Reformer John Calvin also wrote against astrology.

Practice in Korean Churches

Korean churches regard astrology as a form of fortune-telling, alongside saju (Four Pillars divination), gunghap (marital compatibility readings), Tojeong bigyeol (a traditional annual fortune book), and New Year fortune readings, and most denominations teach their members to avoid it. No clear differences in official position among denominations are evident on this matter. How the teaching is explained, however, varies from church to church and from pastor to pastor. Some emphasize that astrology is incompatible with faith in God's sovereignty and providence, while others stress that divination can have spiritually harmful effects.

Church members are divided over whether even reading newspaper or online horoscopes for fun should be considered a problem. Some regard it as harmless entertainment. Others caution that, once it becomes a habit, people come to rely on horoscopes when making important decisions or facing anxiety. Outside Protestantism, the Catholic Church likewise rejects astrology as a form of divination in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.