Hi everyone. Umineko is a fictional aka fake series which people have proclaimed as “the greatest piece of fiction they’ve ever seen across all mediums”
For me personally, after reading the visual novel I think it’s an interesting fictional work. It’s been a while since I read through it, so for variety, I’m watching the anime. (Already watched the fictional aka fake Higurashi Anime, like original, Sotsu, etc.). I remember many Bible verses were mentioned in the visual novel, so expect to hear my commentary as I watch through the anime as I expect some Bible verses to appear too. The Bible is nonfictional aka a true series, so I will be providing biblical commentary on parts.
Alright some disclaimers as I get into this. Yes, real life witchcraft and sorcery that is specifically condemned in the Bible is a sin.
Galatians 5:19-21 ESV Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Is all magic evil? First, we see supernatural is defined as
https://www.wordnik.com/words/magic
: of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe especially : of or relating to God
Meanwhile magic is defined as
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magic
“: an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source.” so God can use “magic” meaning “influence the supernatural aka spiritual” to affect the physical.
However, it’s evil for mere humans to intentionally use real life witchcraft or sorcery for trying to manipulate the supernatural on their own, so this type of magic is sinful as this may summon demons, also falling under the sin of idolatry when worship of these demons is used to obtain these supernatural powers.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supernatural
: of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe especially : of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil
To worship a god besides god, or a demigod, spirit, devil is the sin of idolatry. This magic is evil.
For those who want to read the fictional Umineko series like I have, just know that it has more words than the entire NIV Bible.
https://wiki.whentheycry.org/wiki/When_They_Cry_Wiki:Fun_Facts
NIV Bible Word Count: 727,969
Umineko Word Count: 1,126,301
As someone who’s read through the Bible and usually posts on Christian forums, I’m used to reading a lot I think lol.
Umineko anime opening starts with “No one can free themselves from the sin that flows in their veins”
It’s true that we are all born with original sin inherited from Adam, so it does flow in our veins. And it’s also true that none of our works can free ourselves from our sin. Sin = any violation of the law of God. However, there is a solution to free ourselves from sin and it’s by faith alone in Christ. Because Christ died for our sins, He paid the price, so His blood washes us from all our sins. That is where our freedom lies, as only God is good! The blood that flowed through the veins of Christ frees us from sin!
Revelation 1:5 ESV And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
The word Hell does not appear in the Bible. There’s Sheol/Hades, the realm of the dead. No loving God tortures in an endless hell forever.
Umineko no Naku Koro ni 03 has Maria say “This is the Seventh Pentacle of the Sun. It bestows the power to escape from restraints and gain freedom. “
The doctor replies “Escape from restraints and gain freedom?”
[The “Seventh Pentacle of the Sun” line does not appear in the Bible verse, so it is not scriptural”]
Maria replies “It’s from the Old Testament of the Bible, Psalms 116:16-17”
Psalms 116:16-17 KJB O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
https://biblehub.com/psalms/116-16.htm
https://biblehub.com/psalms/116-17.htm
https://www.hogwartsishere.com/library/book/2129/chapter/6/
This website uses the same description of it casting off chains, freedom, etc.
The 7 Pentacles of the Sun Author From the Book: The Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon the King
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lesser_Key_of_Solomon
Wikipedia makes mention of these seals, these pentacles being among them, describing it as “ an anonymously authored grimoire on sorcery. It was compiled in the mid-17th century, mostly from materials several centuries older…. It is based on the Testament of Solomon”. Sure it says “of Solomon” but this is most likely a false attribution as this is not
Episode 4
Maria: “That was the First Pentacle of the Moon. The Old Testament, Psalms 107:16. It can open any door no matter how it’s locked.
Psalm 107:16 KJB 16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
https://biblehub.com/psalms/107-16.htm
The verse before this mentions Psalm 107:15 KJB “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
But the NIV shows it as “Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,”. Christian Universalists can see the connection of unfailing love with 1 Cor 13:8 “Love never fails” to Universal Reconciliation for all mankind.
In the context of the anime, these “Pentacles” are written at the scene of murders. Assuming this were to happen in real life, the Devil would most likely due this to try and trick people into thinking that God is not good, since sin is a murder that the LORD is against.
Surely the LORD can open any door no matter how it’s locked, but, just because we do some random drawing and write some Bible verse in a door doesn’t mean any door will open automatically. It depends on the will of the LORD. Let the LORD shut the door of all murders and open the door to the exposure of all murders.
In the anime, these murders are blamed on the witch “Beatrice”. Too avoid spoilers, I won’t go into too much details, but the genuine worship of witches is the sin of idolatry, rebellion against God. So this anime has an accurate portrayal of the evil magic witches may use.