Have you ever wondered if the Church does everything according to the Bible? Ever wondered if some of the practices during church services originate from the Scriptures? It may surprise you that many practices and observances we think are strictly Christian are based on pagan traditions stretching back centuries. This series of articles will uncover how paganism still influences Christian thought and practice today and why it is so pervasive in the modern Church. Each subsequent article will link to this post, encouraging the reader to remember the motivation, purpose, and goal of evaluating each Church’s tradition and practice.
The Goal: God’s Glory
When it comes to the Church and its practices, modern Christians should strive to understand why certain rituals and customs are being followed. Many practices could have their roots in paganism, but they can still be used to honor God and build up the Church. While some churches might choose to abstain from certain activities or rituals due to their pagan roots, others might embrace, or in the past embraced, them as a way of connecting with their culture or heritage. Christians should seek to educate themselves on the history behind these rituals and consider how they can be redeemed for the glory of God. We must also remember that even though our faith might have pagan influences, we are ultimately called to follow Christ and seek His will in every aspect of our lives. After all, we were once “pagan” in some way in our sins, but God chose to redeem us through Christ.
Asking Dangerous Questions
In pursuing understanding, we will be forced to ask questions about our faith and practices. Asking questions can be dangerous. Not asking questions, however, has the potential to be more perilous. Asking questions about the status quo of Church traditions can be troubling and may cause some Christians to doubt their faith altogether. In many cases, those who question the Church in any capacity are subject to ridicule, scorn, and in church history, even physical violence. This is especially true in areas and history where religious institutions have great power and authority and felt that power threatened by those asking questions. While this series of articles does not seek to target any specific denomination or creed, the ultimate goal is to bring Christian practices under the authority of Scripture.
Christians are advised to honor authority and submit to Biblical teaching. We are also taught to read our Bibles, which is the ultimate authority for any Christian. The Bible we read will undoubtedly be influenced and understood through the lens of traditions, practices, and rituals that the Church, and more specifically, our denominations, has modeled and taught us to follow. Unfortunately, our denominations and movements rarely encourage self-reflection, questioning, or welcome challenges to what they teach or model.
However, asking questions replaces blissful ignorance with Biblical integrity. Knowing what the Bible teaches and requests of each follower of Christ and the greater body of believers allows them to be faithful and adherent to God and His Word first and second to a denomination’s dogma. At the same time, asking these difficult questions is often necessary for growth and understanding. Asking questions about the Christian faith and practices can help individuals discover new perspectives on established doctrines and challenge their preconceptions, likely understanding why other denominations and churches practice their faith the way they feel convicted. While taking an inquisitive stand towards dogmas and doctrines or influential religious figures is never easy, it can lead to greater insight and enlightenment if done respectfully and thoughtfully.
The Result
There is a danger to asking questions, as mentioned before. Those who question church practices and challenge the status quo can be tempted to a rebellious attitude and a sense of self-righteousness; this is not the motivation or intended result of these articles. Instead, it is essential to remember that as God’s children, we should seek to point everyone back to God’s redeeming power and desire to bring all things back under his authority. In recognizing that some church practices have roots in paganism or have been directly transplanted from other religions, we are reminded of how God can still use those things for his glory. We must never forget that he can take anything sinful or rebellious and bring glory after redemption (if you are a Christ follower, this includes you).
In the end, however, if any practice leads you to conclude that your Church or denomination is more concerned with its religious practice than magnifying God’s glory, you can either leave that Church quietly not to cause division or be at peace with the Church you are a member of. This challenge is tough, especially for those who sincerely love the Church because they desire absolute purity within the Church. But, on the other hand, it can also be tough for those who have been hurt by the Church and wish to enact vengeance.
So What is Paganism?
Paganism is an umbrella term that describes various polytheistic and pantheistic spiritual paths. It is believed to have developed from ancient pre-Christian religions, focusing on rituals, deities, festivals, and other practices. It is often seen as nature-based, with many adherents worshipping the elements of the Earth and celebrating seasonal cycles. Paganism also emphasizes personal growth and development in addition to honoring the divine. Paganism mixes throughout history with various cultures and societies and leaves its fingerprints through mysticism and rituals.
Paganism & Christianity
Paganism encompasses varied practices from many different cultures and regions, including polytheism, pantheism, animism, ancestor worship, shamanism, and more. Pagan beliefs have heavily influenced modern Christian theology and practices. An easy example includes the holiday of Easter, one of the most sacred Christian days, which has been heavily influenced by pagan traditions such as Eostre – a Germanic goddess whose festival was celebrated in the springtime. Similarly, Christmas has roots in Yule, a winter solstice celebration in northern Europe. Today’s Christians often celebrate these holidays with symbols originally part of pagan traditions, such as bonfires and evergreen wreaths. In addition to holidays, other aspects of Christianity, such as dressing up in nice clothes on Sunday, are believed to have been borrowed from various pagan traditions. While many people will admit that they should dress nicely for church services, there is no Biblical command or expectation to that reasoning. Finally, some scholars argue that early Christian theologians developed their views on monotheism by incorporating ideas from ancient Greek thought heavily influenced by pagan religion. Thus it can be seen that while Christianity is a distinct religion with its own beliefs and practices, it has been shaped significantly by pagan influences throughout history. Through the subsequent series of articles, we will investigate different aspects of the Christian church service and regular practices and see how paganism has influenced them.
Sacred Cow or Pagan Cow
There are many things that you might think make a Sunday service more spiritual or meaningful and that you believe to be Christian but do not appear in the Bible or even the early Church. Instead, some practices may have been pagan traditions in the Christian Church over decades or centuries.
To conclude, by engaging in honest questioning and dialogue, we can obediently understand the teachings of the Christian faith. All questions must be asked respectfully and seek an understanding that brings glory to God, holding faithful to the word of the Bible at all times. We must take responsibility for our actions to recognize growth and use this knowledge for good, aiming to bless the Church instead of demonizing it or damaging it. When we reconcile these practices with the gospel, our faith will be renewed as intended. Lastly, questions provide an opportunity for thought and learning within ourselves and amongst others. Therefore, let us not be ashamed of asking questions but bravely speak out when such matters arise to serve the Lord faithfully and spread His glory!
Support the Authors
If you are interested in reading more about how pagan practices have influenced the Church, check out “Pagan Christianity” by Viola and Barna.
