In a world where enchanted forests have been replaced by concrete deserts, the loss of ancient magic is mourned, but Keith Thomas’ “Religion and the Decline of Magic” reveals the dark truth behind early modern supernaturalism. The Devil played a central role in ordinary life, where deals with the Devil were suspected, and knowledge itself was seen as a diabolical temptation. Ed Simon’s exploration of Faustian stories delves into the dangerous territories of knowledge and power, offering a liberatory view of these heretical tales. From Simon Magus to Christ’s temptation, the Faustian myth becomes a theological safety valve, allowing cultures to project anxieties and desires. Today, we are all Faustians, selling our souls to silicon contracts in exchange for fleeting material ease.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/08/12/devils-contract-the-history-of-the-faustian-bargain-ed-simon-book-review