On Magic & Miracles: A Theological Guide to Discerning Fictional Magic

by Marian A. Jacobs

From classic fantasy like The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia to modern stories like Harry Potter, Christians have been debating the issue of fictional magic for decades. Some believers read and write fantasy as an expression of their God-given creativity while others feel this is dangerous and ignorant of the growing threat of the occult. Deuteronomy 18 says spells and other forms of magic are an abomination, but how does that apply to fantasy magic? Is there a difference between the “Deep Magic” of Aslan at the Stone Table and the spells in Harry Potter? Is it possible for fictional magic to lead someone into the occult? Adults and children alike have wrestled with these questions as the fantasy genre exploded into one of the most popular book and film genres on the market.

In this guidebook, Marian A. Jacobs explores the theology of magic, gleaning contextual clues surrounding supernatural events in the Bible. These scriptural principles can assist readers, movie-lovers, gamers, and parents in discerning how fantasy can both edify and honor God.

On Magic and Miracles aims to answer the following What is the difference between magic and miracles in the Bible? Is magic real? And if so, does it pose a genuine threat? Could books like Harry Potter lead someone into the occult? What is the importance of fantasy for Christians? How can I discern fantasy books, films, and games for myself and my children?  
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction, Books About Books, Faith

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

I'm the author of On Magic & Miracles, writer of the fantastical, Christ follower, mom of three, and wife to a philosophy professor. Featured by Desiring God, Lorehaven, WORLD Magazine, and Stage and Story.

For a free book, visit majacobs.com and subscribe to my newsletter.

Reviews

[Samantha | samanthakreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered how Christians should think about magic in fantasy stories? Did you grow up in a no Harry Potter household or feel unsure about how to approach the fantasy genre?

I've always approached fantasy with caution, so I appreciated how thoughtfully Marian Jacobs handled this topic with clarity, care, and most importantly, Scripture. Her insights are rooted in biblical teaching and careful research to help us understand fictional magic versus real-world occult practices.

What I appreciated most is how deeply rooted this book is in the Bible. It focuses on discernment, theology, and the beauty of God’s creativity reflected in story. The first half lays a solid foundation by examining what Scripture says about magic, miracles, and the supernatural, both divine and demonic.

That foundation sets the stage for the second half, where Jacobs offers practical examples and case studies showing how to apply biblical discernment to the stories we read. I really appreciated how thoroughly the book explores these topics. I do wish there were a bit more practical guidance, specifically on reading fantasy itself. Even so, it’s a very valuable resource that anyone with fantasy questions should read.

This isn’t just a book about whether Christians should read fantasy. It encourages thoughtful engagement with stories in a way that honors God with any books we choose to read, fantasy or not.

If you’ve ever asked questions like these, this is a great book to pick up.✨

[Anna Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The general church approach to fantasy fiction is often one of wariness - and often dependent on the individual pastor and their reading preferences. There are some clearly "accepted" fantasy works, such as CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. But everything else falls in a grey area - traditional fairy tales with elfs and pixies are okay, but Greek mythology may or may not be acceptable, whilst all kinds of Chinese mythology are "obviously evil".

This weird double standard in the church is often related to how "acceptable" a certain kind of mythology and/or culture is, and obviously, whether those particular myths are related to religions currently being practiced. In simple terms, Greek mythology appears more acceptable because it's both white-coded and a mostly dead religion, whilst Chinese mythology often relates to spiritual rituals or beliefs that are still being practiced.

In On Magic & Miracles: A Theological Guide to Discerning Fictional Magic, Marian A. Jacobs delves into scripture to explain what's often seen as "magic" in the bible vs "miracles", with 5 discernment questions to help you tell the difference. This takes up Part 1 of the book - and it's interesting ground to cover. Jacobs brings up both ends of the spectrum: materialism, where all these "supernatural" stuff doesn't exist at all, and overspiritualism (overcorrection?), where EVERYTHING is affected by spirits and demons.

Look, I've lived in the trenches of the latter - with "pastors" declaring that even wearing clothes with an animal image can imbue you with the spirit of the animal - and I live in Asia - where it's very obvious that the spiritual realm exists. So whilst I feel like Jacobs is balanced in her treatment, she does cater a more to her (intended) Western audience, with its unthinking acceptance of Western cultural practices as part of Christianity. There's a focus on New Age, pagan lifestyles, and occult practices, with interviews with ex-witches, and everything else swept mostly under a general "Eastern religions".

Part 2 looks at how the 5 Discernment Questions should be applied to fiction, with consideration to literary conventions and author intentions as well as the final message of the story. And how, at times, you need to READ THE WHOLE BOOK before you can judge whether something is good or bad. Many stories start with a not-ideal situation and bad characters with the goal of ending in a good place and evil defeated or bad characters given a redemption arc. And in recent days, with our poor comprehension skills and outrage culture, many readers write off something from the start without understanding the whole thing. This happens very often in uber-Christian circles, where you're not even supposed to depict evil - when the point of some stories is to point out that EVIL IS EVIL. It concludes with an example of how Jacobs herself applied the framework to the Harry Potter series, the series that pretty much divided the church about fantasy works back in the day.

Side note: Critical reading is important, people!

While Jacobs says it's not really a book for parenting, it does phrase an entire chapter on "how to choose good fantasy books for your kids" vs discerning good reading material for yourself. Which, I mean, you can apply to yourself, but it does have a bit of a parenting vibe lol. This isn't an issue, I just found it funny.

Overall, On Magic & Miracles doesn't tell you what you should or shouldn't read (or write!), but offers a framework to think about what you're reading - as with any theological guide, it comes down to spiritual discernment of what's good and beneficial for you. It's a solid work to look at for general theological principles, and is not a "what books am I allowed to read" list.

Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from the B&H Publishing Group. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[V. Romas Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, this book was such a fantastic read. I learned so many things and many of my own thoughts were affirmed, as well.

When I first graduated from Seminary, I worked at my local library. Being from a smaller town, I knew many of our patrons and their kids. I lost count of how many times parents would ask me for book recommendations for their kids (tween and teens) that didn't have questionable material in them, but were still exciting for young readers.

I eventually made a list of books I had personally read and indicated what was in them for the parents, and this was before I had begun writing myself!

If I had had this book back then, I would have recommended On Magic & Miracles first as a resource and guide for parents and their kids alike!

Jacobs does an amazing job at thoroughly explaining the different view points and opinions of fantasy in literature. The author and theology nerd within me were giddy at all her research into ancient Greek and Hebrew terminology and where Eastern and Western cultures differ in their thinking.

If you have ANY questions regarding fantasy and your faith, I highly highly recommend reading this book! I was honored to have read an early copy and already have recommended it to several of my own friends and family!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an important topic and much needed book. I love how well balanced the views were. It took me many years to come to some of these conclusions and I wish I’d had this book sooner.

[Cap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to read an ARC of this book. Here is my official endorsement:

“Is fictional magic a gateway to the occult?” Such a question can easily lead to knee-jerk reactions: “Of course it is [isn’t]!” But On Magic and Miracles rejects automatic, unthinking attitudes in favor of a robustly Scriptural perspective. Marian A. Jacobs explains five key factors that separate the works of God (divine supernaturalism) from the works of Satan (demonic supernaturalism), and how those differences can help us discern between magic in fiction that is safe or suspect. For those who desire to honor God in their response to the fantasy genre, this book is a resource packed with biblical insight and practical wisdom.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I purchased it because I am teaching on angels in a few weeks. And while this book will not really help me with that teaching this book gave me so much to chew on. I like fantasy novels, and this book makes me want to read more of them! Great stuff

[M.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible read that put into simple, easy-to-understand words lots of thoughts I’ve been pondering for months. As a longtime fantasy reader and author, I’ve been asked a lot—and even asked myself—“Should Christians be involved with fantasy?” This book does a wonderful job of answering that question.

I appreciated that the majority of the book is spent not on fantasy but on the Bible. Jacobs gives a detailed, thoroughly researched look into what the Bible says about supernaturalist, alongside an honest look at the occult. It’s helpful for evangelism too, which I wasn’t expecting!

This isn’t a how-to guide or a list of stories to accept and not accept. Instead, as the subtitle states, it’s a guide to build discernment. Using a solid biblical foundation and reams of practical examples, Jacobs gives us the tools we need to explore fantasy stories for ourselves and draw our own conclusions about them.

My biggest takeaway: Evil cannot create; it can only corrupt. Anything that pretends to be God and is not is evil.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who’s ever wondered if Christians should interact with fantasy. It’ll give you a lot to think about!

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Marian and B & H Publishing for this gifted book!*

Title: On Magic and Miracles
Author: Marian A. Jacobs
Genre: Nonfiction/Theology

Review: “Doesn’t the Bible say magic is an abomination in Deuteronomy 18:9-12? And yet…Aslan’s Deep Magic is widely accepted in the church when Scripture uses strong language in opposition to magic. How can we teach our children to discern fantasy when we aren’t sure how to do it ourselves?” If I could recommend adding one book to your nonfiction TBR this year, let it be this one! It’s no question that magic in literature is hotly debated in some Christian circles (lookin’ at you Harry Potter!). But what does the Bible actually say about discerning the magic in the books we read? Have we long misinterpreted what the Bible says when it comes to fantasy and magic in media? Marian graciously tackles this topic with diving deep into the theology of the spiritual realm and then follows it with five practical questions of discernment. This book will have you thinking and digging into the Bible for what magic has meant historically and what it means for us now with the rise of the New Age theology across the world. I loved her gentle tone and practical application when it comes to one of the most controversial aspects of literature for Christians. Whatever your stance is on magic and fantasy in media, I think you would benefit from reading this book. It provides a solid biblical foundation and practical application for the start of learning to discern the best books in the fantasy world of literature.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wrestled with whether Christians should read stories with magic, you’re not alone. From The Chronicles of Narnia to Harry Potter, these conversations can get heated—and confusing. Some warn against any engagement with magic in fiction, while others see no problem at all. So where do we even begin?

That’s why I appreciated Marian Jacobs’s On Magic & Miracles. She doesn’t give simple “yes or no” answers. Instead, she invites us into thoughtful discernment—equipping us to ask better questions about the stories we read and watch. Rather than reacting out of fear or carelessness, she encourages us to engage with culture wisely, grounded in Scripture, and with an eye toward truth, beauty, and the gospel.

Whether you’re a fantasy lover, a cautious reader, or just someone trying to navigate these conversations with your kids, I think you’ll find her insights both challenging and encouraging.

{full review on my blog: https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/di...}

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started On Magic and Miracles because it felt like a book I “should” read, especially as my kids get older and read more independently. As the subtitle suggests, I expected a guide that would be helpful in exercising my discernment muscles, and teaching my kids to do the same.
This book exceeded my expectations—it did all of what I just wrote and more. The first half is heavy on the larger topic of magic in the Bible, and I honestly learned so much! I love this quote that sums up a lot of what I appreciated about the book:
“The beauty of encountering the thoughts and research of other believers on topics such as the theology of magic is not that their words are perfect or authoritative but that coming into contact with new ideas forces you to go back to the Bible and read with new questions in mind.”
After laying a biblical foundation for how to think *about* magic and fantasy, the second half pivots to more of a “how to” in practicing discernment as we consume different media (or how to decide if it even would be beneficial to do so). The range of books and movies covered was quite broad and included anything from Narnia, Marvel, and Harry Potter to Seeing Red and Frozen. Keep in mind that the “guide” part of this book is less of a list of what you should or should not watch/read/consume and more of a framework that gives you the tools you need to decide (along with the help of the Holy Spirit, of course).
TLDR; would recommend. Exceeded my expectations!
Thank you Netgalley and B&H publishers for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Liza Tabita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must confess that I was eager to read this book! In my opinion too little is written or presented on this subject.

The book could be a great resource for people that don’t have much knowledge on the biblical subject of magic and miracles. The author does a great job on shining the biblical truth on fantasy and fiction books. If you are already familiar to this subject more than half of the book will be familiar ground and it may seem pointless ( also for those that are looking for the application part)

The next half goes through 5 questions that are useful for discerning what kind of magic and supernatural are we dealing with in books. This questions seem useful, but a little subjective.

In the end It seems that the subject is reduced to reading preferences. The author has an emotional attachment to the Harry Potter series ( the books that helped her discover her love for reading) and I do not condemn her, but I must wonder if all the people that came from New Age to Christ, that are raising red flags on the subject are wrong.
My biggest issue was with gospel like message, of course we could find good things in any book, we could see beauty in dirt and something to learn from any book, but this is a paper thin argument for accepting all the methods that are used.


Moreover, the subject is of great importance in today’s world and I think that the author did a good job tackling it.

[Crystal Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for anyone questioning the wisdom of fantasy in fiction. This is also a great resource for authors or readers who wish to present a stronger argument on the positive impact of fantasy.
On Magic and Miracles dives deep into the theology of magic with biblical and historical insight. It explores heavy topics such as the occult, but always with a torch of truth. Marian Jacobs is very thoughtful and sensitive as she explains the difference between divine and demonic supernaturalism. It was truly an eye-opening and beneficial journey into why fantasy can be so inspiring, but also why we need to be aware of what we’re reading/watching and sharing with children. This will definitely be a book I read again and share with others.

[Nycole Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is incredibly well done. The first half of the book is dedicated to understanding magic from a biblical perspective before we ever even dive into discerning its use in fiction. I appreciated how thoroughly the topic was handled—including discussions about legalism, Christian freedom, differences between Eastern and Western thinking, understanding New Age influence, mythology, and more…all while staying deeply rooted in Scripture.

Disclaimer, while Harry Potter is referenced several times throughout this book, I did not read her chapter dedicated specifically to HP, as I plan to start the series this fall and don’t want any spoilers. ;)

[Emily Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing resource for Christian parents. I would have loved to have had so much of this information as a child and this book really prepared parents to be more confident with their answers to both good and bad magic and the supernatural.

I went into this book thinking it would be very didactic (this not that type of approach) but was met with a theological deep dive into the history of magic in the Bible, a PSA about modern day occult practices, an examination of the reasons Christians have issues with magic in the modern day, and some great resources teaching parents to think critically about all media (not just magically themed media) that is presented to children.

[Courtney Chiasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! The book offers practical tools to help readers approach supernatural stories with discernment and care. Drawing on examples like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and The Chronicles of Narnia, Jacobs presents a balanced and gracious Christian perspective without being prescriptive.
This book helps readers of fantasy (or anyone who watches fantasy media) engage with supernatural themes thoughtfully, inspiring wonder while staying true to Biblical principles.

[Hailey Huntington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic in fiction can be a tricky topic in Christian circles. Do you allow magic? If so, where do you draw the line about what magic isn't okay? In On Magic and Miracles, Jacobs's goal is to provide readers with a theologically informed framework for thinking through and about magic in stories.

Roughly the first half of the book is spent building a biblically informed basis for thinking about the supernatural in the Bible and the real world. While there were some points when I wished for Jacobs to move more onto the topic of "practically" discerning fictional magic sooner, I do appreciate the time and thoroughness she took working through a biblical theology of the supernatural.

Even if you already have a formed opinion on fictional magic, On Magic and Miracles can still be a worthwhile and thought-provoking read.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a review copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nicole Rollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book but will be the first to admit I also found it confusing- many times. I wish Jacobs could rewrite this book with many of the specialized terms she uses defined. I went into this read knowing very little about New Age practices or the occult. I was especially lost in Chapter 11 (which ironically felt like it was there to provide clarity for her readers) because I didn't know many of the fictional references. Even though Jacobs briefly explained the fictional situation from a book or movie, the explanation was lost on me because I wasn't familiar with the context.
This is a book I would like to revisit in 10 years to see if I understand more of it.
I would highly encourage any Christian who has ever struggled with their feelings toward the Harry Potter series to read this. Jacobs mentions HP throughout the entire book, but spends the last chapter specifically explaining her views on Harry Potter. Spoiler alert: she approves.

[Maielle Roelfs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gently and appropriately challenged my views as a fantasy reader. I really appreciated the foundation she laid in scripture for the first half of the book, and I wish I had read it with my Bible in hand to look up the context and verses she was citing. I was pleased to find that the author herself recommends doing this at the end of the book. Her point of view on the value in Christians reading fantasy to strengthen our faith encouraged me, while her opinions on how to be biblically discerning in analyzing fantasy convicted me. I would recommend this book to all fantasy readers, and especially for parents desiring to protect their kid's reading choices.

[Allison R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful resource for parents with questions to help discern the magical material our children are interested in consuming. As a parent whose children grew up reading and loving Harry Potter, I appreciated the time Marian spent going over theological perspectives so we have an appropriate background to approach fantasy literature. Overall, I agree that fantasy books cannot just be disregarded completely, but must be looked at with a discerning eye and as our children consume fantasy some discipleship through the material often is necessary to keep them grounded in the truth of God’s word.

[Hayley Lindroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Magic & Miracles is a thoughtful, biblically grounded guide for Christians navigating fantasy and supernatural themes. Rather than banning or endorsing entire genres, Jacobs gives readers clear discernment tools to evaluate stories on their own merits. She balances a deep respect for Scripture with an appreciation for imagination. This book is practical, compassionate, and empowering. It is a must-read for parents, teachers, and anyone who loves fantasy but wants to approach it with wisdom.

[Ari Garzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! Definitely something I’ll keep on my shelves. I know a lot of conservatives who would be unhappy about what is written here, but Miss Marian, I loved your input.

I think the only disconnect with it is that I know nothing of Harry Potter. She did a great job explaining context though. I know if I were an actual Harry Potter fan, I would have enjoyed the chapters discussing it more. But hey, that’s a me issue.

[Tabitha Caplinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

In On Magic and Miracles, Marian does a thoughtful and thorough job of laying a theological foundation of the supernatural as well as offering questions to help you discern the media you consume with tact and grace. Definitely recommend.

[Samantha Mendell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, in-depth dive into miracles, supernaturalism, and dangerous New Age practices/beliefs that have seeped into popular culture. Jacobs’s principles and questions offer sound guidance for parents, readers, and writers alike. Would definitely recommend!

[Gareth Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely detailed and theological in her arguments. Reading the physical book would be better than listening to the audiobook as there is so much content to take in. Very highly recommended.

(FWIW, I don't read fantasy writing so lots of this was new to me)

[Laura Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I enjoyed this read, but I will say it was quite dense! You can tell a lot of research and thought was put into this one, but I also felt like some parts contradicted each other just a bit. I do think it can help Christians navigate fantasy better and that was the purpose.

[Michele Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, I had no idea how much I needed this book! As I listened to the audiobook, I was unable to do anything else, I was so engrossed. The author put so many things into words I was feeling but couldn’t describe. Thank you for writing this book!!!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great look at the theology on how to be biblically discerning when reading fantasy literature. I listened on audio and there were several errors in the reading-repeating text or extended pauses: I’d like to get a physical copy and take notes or re-read portions.

[Matthew Rushing · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book didn’t tell me anything new, I’ve read many books like this, it’s well written, biblical and accessible.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sept 27, 2025 * 4 to 4.5 stars
Back to Hogwarts Reading Challenge #3 - Defense Against the Dark Arts
Very good.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was good with good information. I listened to the audiobook version, and there were problems with the editing of that.