Pagan Influences on Christianity
Pagan Influences on Christianity
Jason McMullen
July 29, 2007
Axia College of University of Phoenix
COM 125
Chris Shevereve
Christianity is the largest religion in the world. With all the different types bundled into one it is possible that there are over one billion followers. Since its ' beginning around two thousand years ago Christianity has underwent some major changes. In fact many of the first century followers of Jesus Christ would not even recognize what we practice and do today to be Christianity. The influence of pagan customs and symbols has shaped the way we practice many of our Christian beliefs. This started back during the late first century with the early Christian church. In order to draw more Gentiles (pagans) into Christianity the church started to use and develop customs around pagan beliefs (Hinson, 1993). In fact the very symbol that we as Christians use to represent the death of Jesus Christ is based on pre-Christian worship of a pagan god. In Exodus 20:4 of the King James Bible (1984) it is stated, "Thou shall not make for yourself a carved image." This is the fourth commandment given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It goes on to explain that God told Moses that He wanted no images, be it in heaven, on earth or in the sea, to represent Him. So why do Christians use the cross as a symbol of their faith? When asked this many Christians will answer, "Because it reminds me of our Savior Jesus Christ and that he died on this cross so that we may be forgiven of our sins and live in a paradise forever." Is this the way you would want your son remembered after such a tormented death? Would you want everyone wearing and honoring this device that he was killed upon? Jesus left specific instructions on how He wanted to be remembered in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 of the King James Bible (1984): For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was
Jason McMullen
July 29, 2007
Axia College of University of Phoenix
COM 125
Chris Shevereve
Christianity is the largest religion in the world. With all the different types bundled into one it is possible that there are over one billion followers. Since its ' beginning around two thousand years ago Christianity has underwent some major changes. In fact many of the first century followers of Jesus Christ would not even recognize what we practice and do today to be Christianity. The influence of pagan customs and symbols has shaped the way we practice many of our Christian beliefs. This started back during the late first century with the early Christian church. In order to draw more Gentiles (pagans) into Christianity the church started to use and develop customs around pagan beliefs (Hinson, 1993). In fact the very symbol that we as Christians use to represent the death of Jesus Christ is based on pre-Christian worship of a pagan god. In Exodus 20:4 of the King James Bible (1984) it is stated, "Thou shall not make for yourself a carved image." This is the fourth commandment given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It goes on to explain that God told Moses that He wanted no images, be it in heaven, on earth or in the sea, to represent Him. So why do Christians use the cross as a symbol of their faith? When asked this many Christians will answer, "Because it reminds me of our Savior Jesus Christ and that he died on this cross so that we may be forgiven of our sins and live in a paradise forever." Is this the way you would want your son remembered after such a tormented death? Would you want everyone wearing and honoring this device that he was killed upon? Jesus left specific instructions on how He wanted to be remembered in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 of the King James Bible (1984): For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was
Bibliography: Christian History Institute (2000-2007). A vision of triumph. Retrieved on July 20, 2007 from http://chi.gospelcom.net/index.php Encyclopedia Mythica (1995-2007). Origin of the names of the days. Retrieved on July 25, 2007 http://www.pantheon.org/miscellaneous/origin_days.html June 21, 2007 from Master FILE Premier database http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost This article explains about the beginning of Greco Roman influence on the Jewish religion known today as Christianity Proclaim the Word (2003). Easter with Ishtar and its customs, is it scriptural. Retrieved on June 10, 2007 form http://proclaimtheword.org 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2007 from http://encarta.msn.com. Salamone, F. A. (2004). Easter. In Encyclopedia of Religious Rites, Rituals, and Festivals. Retrieved on June 8, 2007 from Routledge Reference Resources database. Songs 4 Teachers.com (2000-2007). Easter: Information, origins, traditions and more. Retrieved on June 23, 2007 from http://www.songs4teachers.com/easterinformation.htm June 26, 2007 from http://www.masters-table.org/pagan/cross.htm This is an article that discusses the history of the cross symbol use in the pre-Christian era