Paganism! Today?
You mean to say that we have pagans in our enlightened age? At first, one may be disposed to deny it, but on serious contemplation, I believe we can see that paganism abounds in our generation and in our culture. When the common person thinks of "paganism" he immediately conjures up visions of uncivilized heathens and ignorant barbarians. But such is not the limitation of paganism.
Webster defines "paganism" as: "1. (a) Formerly, a person who was not a Christian. (b) Now, a person who is not a Christian, Moslem, or Jew; a heathen. 2. A person who has no religion." Can we agree completely with this modern definition? This may be accurate so far as the world considers, but is it Biblically correct? Were not the Athenians very religious, but hopelessly paganistic? (Acts 17:22,23). Therefore, I believe we can safely affirm that in the Biblical sense, one can be very religious and also be paganistic.
One of the best definitions and explanations of paganism I have seen is in Merrill C. Tenney's new book "New Testament Times." I quote:
"Paganism is the human attempt to satisfy an inner longing for God by the worship of a deity which will not obstruct one's desire for self-satisfaction. The gods that men worship are of their own making, whether visible or invisible." (Pg.107)
It is significant that paganism is an endeavor on the part of humans to gratify a desire to worship a god who will not hinder their own self-satisfaction. Again we quote from Tenney:
"Paganism is a parody and a perversion of God's original revelation to man. It retains many basic elements of truth but twists them into practical falsehood. Divine sovereignty becomes fatalism; grace becomes indulgence; righteousness becomes conformity to arbitrary rules; worship becomes empty ritual; prayer becomes selfish begging; the supernatural degenerates into superstition. The light of God is clouded by fanciful legend and by downright falsehood. The consequent confusion of beliefs and of values left men wandering in the maze of uncertainties. To some, expedience became the dominating philosophy of life; for if there can be no ultimate certainty, there can be no permanent principles, one must live as well as he can to the advantage of the moment. Skepticism prevailed, for the old gods had lost their power and no new gods had appeared. Numerous novel cults invaded the empire from every quarter and became the fads of the dilettante rich or the refuge of the desperate poor. Men had largely lost the sense of joy and of destiny that made human life worthwhile." (Pg. 108)
Yes, paganism is a parody (caricature, imitation) and a PERVERSION of God's original revelation to man. Do we have any perverted religions today? Note that "it retains many basic elements of truth but twists them into practical falsehood." Remind you of Roman Catholicism? Notice also that "worship becomes empty ritual." As the worship of Israel during the time of Amos had become nothing more than "empty, hollow ritual," so it can deteriorate into this in our day (Amos 5:21-24).
Tenney states that "the light of God is clouded by fanciful legend and by downright falsehood." Remind you of Mormonism?
May we ever guard against perverting the pure gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Gal. 1: 7,8, Rev. 22:18,19). Let us defend the faith against all perversion.
Paganism... today?