The Bavinck quote reminds me a lot of C S Lewis' "Materialist Magician". I googled "cs lewis materialist magician" and got the following AI summary:
C.S. Lewis defined a "Materialist Magician" in The Screwtape Letters as a dangerous, modern figure who denies the existence of spirits while attempting to harness impersonal "Forces" to control nature. This ironic blend of materialism and occult desire for power serves as a deceptive tool for demonic forces.
Key details about the Materialist Magician concept:
The "Screwtape" Definition: In The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape notes that the "Materialist Magician" is the perfect target—someone who denies supernatural reality but is ready for, and welcomes, the influence of demons.
"That Hideous Strength": Lewis illustrates this concept through the scientists in his novel That Hideous Strength, who, in their quest for power, inadvertently begin worshipping demons.
Connection to Modernity: Lewis believed this type of thinker is prevalent in modern culture, confusing the pursuit of scientific power with, or elevating it to, a form of worship.
Magician’s Bargain: Lewis termed this the "Magician’s Bargain," where individuals sacrifice their souls to gain power, often finding that the power never actually belongs to them.
Contrasted with Magic: While a magician (in the traditional sense) might believe in the supernatural, the Materialist Magician acts in a way that suggests a desire to control the world through unnatural means while claiming to be rational.
This figure reflects Lewis's warnings about scientism—the belief that science is the only source of knowledge—and his concern over the dehumanizing, often occultic, outcomes of such a worldview.
If you made all these posts into a book I’d buy it
Perfect.
The Bavinck quote reminds me a lot of C S Lewis' "Materialist Magician". I googled "cs lewis materialist magician" and got the following AI summary:
C.S. Lewis defined a "Materialist Magician" in The Screwtape Letters as a dangerous, modern figure who denies the existence of spirits while attempting to harness impersonal "Forces" to control nature. This ironic blend of materialism and occult desire for power serves as a deceptive tool for demonic forces.
Key details about the Materialist Magician concept:
The "Screwtape" Definition: In The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape notes that the "Materialist Magician" is the perfect target—someone who denies supernatural reality but is ready for, and welcomes, the influence of demons.
"That Hideous Strength": Lewis illustrates this concept through the scientists in his novel That Hideous Strength, who, in their quest for power, inadvertently begin worshipping demons.
Connection to Modernity: Lewis believed this type of thinker is prevalent in modern culture, confusing the pursuit of scientific power with, or elevating it to, a form of worship.
Magician’s Bargain: Lewis termed this the "Magician’s Bargain," where individuals sacrifice their souls to gain power, often finding that the power never actually belongs to them.
Contrasted with Magic: While a magician (in the traditional sense) might believe in the supernatural, the Materialist Magician acts in a way that suggests a desire to control the world through unnatural means while claiming to be rational.
This figure reflects Lewis's warnings about scientism—the belief that science is the only source of knowledge—and his concern over the dehumanizing, often occultic, outcomes of such a worldview.
Indeed! Lewis was very keen on this stuff. I once had a fascinating discussion with Claude about what C.S. Lewis would make of “him.” 🤣