What is Paganism?

Mountain View Christian Church What is Paganism? Paganism Defined Paganism comes from the Latin word paganus, which means “country dweller” and can refer to polytheism or the worship of more than one god, such as in ancient Rome. A pagan is also considered to be one who, for the most part, has no religion and indulges in worldly delights and material possessions; someone who reveres in sensual pleasures; a hedonistic or self-indulgent individual. Another more modern term is “neo-paganism” which refers to some of the contemporary forms of paganism such as Wicca, Druidry, and Gwyddons. Got Questions Ministries, (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 20022013). Presentation title 2 From a Christian viewpoint, pagans are generally characterized as those who are caught up in any religious ceremony, act, or practice that is not distinctly Christian Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013). Presentation title 3 • The physical world is a good place, one to be taken pleasure in by everyone. • Everyone is considered to be part of this Mother Earth (Gaia). • Divinity reveals itself in every facet of the world. • Every being, man and animal, is a derivative of the Divine. As such all are gods and goddess. • Most pagan religions do not have gurus or messiahs. • Doctrine is superseded by one’s own responsibility. • Solar and lunar cycles are significant in pagan worship. Presentation title 4 • The physical world is a good place, one to be taken pleasure in by everyone. • The physical world was created good, but was marred by the Fall. • Everyone is considered to be part of this Mother Earth (Gaia). • Only the triune God is God. Man is created and not a part of God • Divinity reveals itself in every facet of the world. • • Every being, man and animal, is a derivative of the Divine. As such all are gods and goddess. • There is one God. Everything else is created and not God. • Most pagan religions do not have gurus or messiahs. • God gave pastors and teachers. Pagans have YouTube and TED talks. • Doctrine is superseded by one’s own responsibility. • • Solar and lunar cycles are significant in pagan worship. • Solar and lunar cycles markers but play no role in worship. Deuteronomy 4:19 Presentation title The Heavens Declare the Glory of God. Doctrine implies responsibility 5 Characteristics • Term originally meant, “country dweller.” • Hedonism • Monism • Can be polytheistic, secular, or atheistic • Contemporary: Wicca, Druidry, Gwyddons. • Marked by a desire and supposed ability to manipulate nature, time-space, gods, and reality by magic. Presentation title 6 Living in a Pagan Society 1. Physical reality denied in favour of gender. 2. Because of Monism, man loses his place as created in the image of God. 1. Man is not unique. 2. Man can be sacrificed for the sake of the earth. 3. Evolutionary progressivism must be assumed 1. Survival of the fittest 4. The loss of the individual. 5. All of this becomes enshrined in law. Presentation title 7 Modern Examples 1. Mormonism 2. The Lodge 3. The environmental movement 1. Extinction Rebellion 4. Socialism 5. Nazism 6. LGBTQ movements. Presentation title 8 Paganism and the Occult Deuteronomy 23:17 Leviticus 19:31 Amos 2:7–8 Deuteronomy 18:9–14 Isaiah 57:7–8 1 Timothy 4:1 Romans 1:22–27 Acts 13:6–10 Romans 1:28 Acts 13:6 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 Acts 13:6–7 1 John 5:19 Acts 13:8 1 Peter 5:8 1 Peter 5:8 Ephesians 6:10–18 Presentation title 9