Not long ago, mention of Wicca and modern witchcraft seemed ludicrous. Today, millions of Britons and Americans are involved in neopagan activities. Wicca’s Charm is a delightfully readable look at this rapidly growing movement, written by a skilled Christian journalist who is remarkably open to other people and their religious beliefs. Sanders provides a broad overview of neopaganism from a missionary perspective intended to help Christians reach out to its adherents.
 Wicca’s Charm:Understanding theSpiritual HungerBehind the Riseof ModernWitchcraft andPagan Spirituality by Catherine Edwards SandersWaterBrook256 pp.; $13.99 |
Sanders explains why Wicca and other forms of neopaganism attract people “as an alternative to other mainline religions, including Christianity.” (One reason, as she notes, is this: “[E]ach practitioner can add and subtract beliefs at will.”) Sanders goes to considerable lengths to accurately document the history and beliefs of the neopagan movement.
The result is a well-informed account that presents a powerful Christian critique that is both sensitive to the issues and considerate of the people involved.
Anyone who wants to understand contemporary neopaganism in all its forms would be well advised to begin by reading this excellent book.
Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere:
Wicca’s Charm is available from Christianbook.com and other book retailers.
More information is available from Random House.
National Review Online interviewed Sanders about the book.
