@cryptotheism
This type of self-deification is a huge element of a lot of 20th century occult practices, especially in regards to Thelema. Which was itself a reaction to the most conservative and fundamentalist expressions of American protestantism. Crowley's parents were members of a very fundamentalist Prot sect. Much of his theology is a response to that cultural milieu.
Like this is part of what Crowley meant by "every man and every woman is a star". It's genuinely interesting to see the charismatic elements of modern evangelical protestantism evolve a similar structure.
Also you could absolutely make an argument that the new age was in part inspired by the 1970s revival of early 20th century occultism, the core of which was Crowley / Blavatsky's writing. These new age elements definitely influenced the more woo-y ideological currents in modern Christianity. So what I'm saying is you might be able to draw a direct theological line from Crowley to Paula White-Cain. Like this could literally be a christianized thelemic practice unknowingly laundered through the New Age. Idk how you'd prove or disprove that though.
As a weird Christian Thelemite, I feel the need to add—
While you very well may be able to draw such a thread, I think any Thelemite who actually has a grasp of Thelemic theology and philosophy would agree that if you are not engaging in self-deification as a deliberate act of Will, you are in fact doing something wrong. When Paula White replaces the names of the prophets with her own, does she do it with the knowing, tongue-in-cheek deliberation of Crowley identifying himself as the Beast 666? I for one doubt it.
She makes herself an implement of her God by positioning herself as prophet—but would she go to the lengths that God asked if his prophets? Does she understand what this self identification means? If not, I would not see it as a deliberate act of Will, but as the type of careless, foolish blasphemy that marks megachurch style Christianity.
I love blasphemy. I love self-deification. (My blog probably makes that abundantly clear.) But if all acts are to be done "under Will", then I do not think that Paula White acts with Will in this way.
To be clear, I suspect you're correct about that line. (I would postulate that it goes through Wicca as well before it reaches the evangelicals.) But I just want to put it out there that just as Christian theology is warped by these preachers, so is Thelemic theology (if that's what they are, one way or another, influenced by).
Fuck I should probably end this with 93's or whatever.
@cryptotheism i need further expert analysis here
Yeah I think this is spot on. It also speaks to why Crowley had such a lasting influence on the occult landscape of Modernity. Is Paula here intentionally and willingly engaging with Thelemite theology? No obviously not. However, Paula's actions here are the exact sort of thing that Thelema --for lack of a better term-- meaningfully parodies with its own theology, and it's genuinely interesting to see it travel full circle through the big cultural game of telephone.
