What is Paganism and its core beliefs?

Definition and Historical Context

Paganism, in a broad sense, refers to religious practices and beliefs outside of the worship of the one God revealed in Scripture. Historically, the term described the practices of polytheistic cultures in the ancient world—such as the Egyptians, Canaanites, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans—who revered multiple deities and spiritual forces. In modern times, it can also encompass neo-pagan movements that revive or reinterpret these historical religions or experiment with new forms of nature-based spirituality.

From the standpoint of the biblical timeline, ancient paganism flourished alongside the civilizations described in the Old Testament. Archaeological finds like the Moabite Stone (discovered in 1868, referencing King Mesha’s devotion to the deity Chemosh) confirm the longstanding presence of polytheistic belief systems in the Near East. These historical and archaeological evidences align with biblical accounts of pagan worship, illustrating the types of religious and cultural conflicts faced by the Israelites.

Varieties of Pagan Worship

Pagan traditions exhibit diverse customs but often share certain elements:

• Polytheism: Honoring multiple gods, each being associated with aspects such as fertility, weather, war, or the afterlife.

• Animism: Attributing spiritual significance to animals, plants, rocks, or other aspects of nature.

• Idol Worship: Constructing physical representations (idols) to symbolize or actualize devotion to various spirits or deities (cf. Exodus 20:4–5).

• Rituals and Festivals: Celebrations tied to seasonal cycles (e.g., solstices) or local myths.

These elements appeared frequently in the ancient cultures mentioned in Scripture. For example, records of Canaanite religion describe sacrifices and fertility rites meant to placate or earn the favor of their deities. Greek and Roman pantheons followed an extensive mythological framework interwoven with their civic and cultural life, such as the worship of Zeus (Greek) or Jupiter (Roman). Modern forms of paganism typically draw upon these older traditions or incorporate new syncretistic ideas that emphasize reverence for nature or personal spiritual experience.

Core Beliefs

1. Multiple Deities: A fundamental trait of pagan belief is devotion to more than one god or goddess. Some pagan systems divide the divine realm into specialized domains (e.g., sea gods, sky gods), while others propose an overarching pantheon with different ranks of deities.

2. Nature-Centered Spirituality: Many pagan traditions emphasize the sacredness of the natural world, viewing forests, rivers, celestial bodies, or other elements of creation as divine or spiritually charged. In some expressions of paganism, nature itself is considered godlike or inseparable from divinity (often termed pantheism).

3. Sacred Rituals and Ceremonies: Certain rites are common across pagan communities—burnt offerings, festivals aligned with lunar or solar cycles, and consecration of spaces or objects. Historically, scriptural accounts describe nations around Israel offering sacrifices and libations to idols (cf. 2 Kings 17:29–32).

4. Syncretism and Flexibility: Pagan worship often blends influences from multiple cultures or belief systems. Ancient Rome, for example, frequently absorbed foreign deities into its pantheon, leading to overlapping religious practices. Modern neo-pagan movements may incorporate elements of Celtic, Norse, Greco-Roman, and other mythologies in a single, personal spiritual practice.

5. Human Effort or Appeasement: Much pagan worship involves appeasing or manipulating spiritual forces to receive favor or blessings—rain for crops, victory in war, personal prosperity. These efforts highlight a transactional view in which worshipers believe they must continuously offer sacrifices or rituals to maintain divine goodwill.

Contrast with Biblical Revelation

In Scripture, there is a clear distinction between worshiping the Creator and worshiping created things. Romans 1:25 underscores this contrast: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.” Biblical faith recognizes one supreme sovereign God who transcends the created order and holds ultimate authority over life, morality, and salvation. In contrast, paganism disperses spiritual authority among many forces or deities, leading to conflicting moral and religious ideas that differ from the cohesive revelation found in the Bible.

From Genesis through the New Testament, Scripture consistently testifies that there is only one true God worthy of worship (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4). This belief stands firmly against any system that elevates other spiritual entities or the material universe itself to the level of deity. The first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3), sets the biblical faith apart from all forms of idolatry or polytheism.

Scriptural Testimony Against Paganism

1. Old Testament Warnings: The Israelite nation encountered pagan cultures from the moment they left Egypt. Multiple passages, including Exodus 34:14, caution the people not to worship foreign gods: “For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Prophetic writings frequently condemn pagan practices, highlighting how they led Israel astray (cf. Jeremiah 19:4–5).

2. Historical Confrontations: Events like Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18) demonstrate a direct showdown between the power of Yahweh and pagan deities. Passages like these illustrate the biblical assertion that pagan gods are powerless idols.

3. New Testament Context: Early Christians lived amid polytheistic Roman and Greek societies. The Apostle Paul addressed pagan practices in places like Athens (Acts 17:22–31), emphasizing the unique sovereignty of God and calling people to repentance from idol worship.

Archaeological and Historical Insights

Archaeology supports the biblical accounts of pervasive pagan worship in ancient cultures. Besides the Moabite Stone already mentioned:

• Excavations in Canaanite cities have revealed temples and religious artifacts devoted to Baal and Asherah, matching Old Testament narratives of idol worship.

• Discoveries in Egypt, Greece, and Rome confirm extensive pantheons of gods and elaborate worship systems, consistent with the historical context described in the Bible.

These findings lend historical credibility to scriptural descriptions of the religious environment that Israel and the early Church encountered.

Modern Paganism

Contemporary forms of paganism, often termed neo-paganism, may look different from ancient expressions yet retain common features—such as veneration of nature, belief in multiple or impersonal spiritual forces, and reliance on ritual to harness divine energy. Examples include Wicca, certain Druidic revivals, and eclectic pagan traditions. While outward practices vary, the underlying concept that divinity is manifold or embedded within creation stands in contrast to the biblical portrayal of one transcendent and personal God.

Conclusion

Paganism, encompassing both ancient and modern expressions, involves seeing the divine in multiple gods or in the elements of creation and engaging in rituals to influence or appease such forces. It contrasts with the biblical depiction of a singular, all-powerful Creator God who alone is worthy of worship. Archeological, historical, and scriptural evidence align to affirm the distinctiveness of the biblical message amid a world historically and presently shaped by a multitude of pagan beliefs. As the Bible proclaims, “The LORD is God; there is no other besides Him” (Deuteronomy 4:35).