THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
Does the Bible condemn astrology? Some Bible passages condemn astrology (Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Isaiah 47:13-14; Jeremiah 10:2), while others approve it (Genesis 1:14; Judges 5:20; Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 21:25). Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
Indeed, the sun, moon and stars serve as signs in various ways. They are a sign bearing witness to the glory of our Creator (Psalm 8; Psalm 19); they have been used to reveal future events (Matthew 2:2; Matthew 16:2-3; Luke 21:25); and also have served as a "sign" of divine judgment (Joel 2:30; Matthew 24:29). Aside from this, they are also used to help travellers navigate, both by land and sea.

Astrology is defined by Webster's as "the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects". To use the heavenly lights in the fashion of the heathen is most certainly forbidden in the Bible, as is evident from the texts which the questioner has supplied above. A child of God ought not trust in horoscopes and other readings of the sky which find their origin in men. Both in times past and today, there are those who live "by the stars", as though they were gods. Such false practices should be abstained from.

Does this exclude all use of the heavenly bodies? No, the questioner has above identified areas wherein God is pleased for men to use them for signs. However, regarding their use to foretell the future, we would do well to rely only upon that which God has revealed, and abstain from heeding the guess work of ungodly men.

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible, but original article is no longer listed

---