Heathenism, in the context of the Bible, refers to the religious practices and beliefs of those who do not worship the God of Israel. The term is often used to describe idolatry and the worship of false gods, which is strictly condemned throughout Scripture. The Bible frequently contrasts the practices of the heathen with the worship of Yahweh, the one true God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the customs and religious practices of the heathen nations surrounding them. The term "heathen" is often synonymous with "Gentiles" or "nations" (Hebrew: גּוֹיִם, goyim), referring to those outside the covenant community of Israel. The Israelites were called to be a holy people, set apart for God, and were instructed not to follow the abominable practices of the heathen. Leviticus 18:3 states, "You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, or follow the practices of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs."

The worship of idols, which was prevalent among the heathen, is a central concern in the Old Testament. The first two commandments given to Moses explicitly prohibit idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5): "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them." The Israelites were repeatedly chastised by the prophets for falling into heathen practices, which often led to their downfall and exile.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "heathen" is often translated as "Gentiles" (Greek: ἔθνη, ethnē). The early church grappled with the inclusion of Gentiles, who were traditionally seen as heathen, into the Christian community. The apostle Paul played a significant role in this transition, emphasizing that faith in Christ was available to all, regardless of ethnic or religious background. In Romans 1:16 , Paul declares, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek."

Despite the inclusion of Gentiles, the New Testament continues to warn against the practices associated with heathenism. In 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 , Paul warns, "No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons." The early Christians were urged to abandon their former pagan ways and live in accordance with the teachings of Christ.

Heathenism and Christian Witness

The Bible calls Christians to be a light to the nations, living in a way that reflects the holiness and love of God. In Matthew 5:14-16 , Jesus tells His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Christians are encouraged to engage with those outside the faith with love and respect, while remaining steadfast in their own beliefs and practices. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commands believers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."

Heathenism, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a reminder of the call to worship the one true God and to live a life that reflects His holiness and love to the world.1. (n.) The religious system or rites of a heathen nation; idolatry; paganism.

2. (n.) The manners or morals usually prevalent in a heathen country; ignorance; rudeness; barbarism.

A Westernized Heathenism.
... The Pressing Emergency A Westernized Heathenism. Now, let us look just
a bit at this present pressing emergency. There are grave ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/a westernized heathenism.htm

Heathenism.
... JOHN, ad 1-100 Section 11. Heathenism. ... The elements of truth, morality, and piety
scattered throughout ancient heathenism, may be ascribed to three sources. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 11 heathenism.htm

Judaism and Heathenism in Contact.
... THE CHURCH UNDER THE APOSTLES AND HEATHEN WORLD. FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST TO THE
DEATH OF ST. JOHN, ad 1-100 Section 13. Judaism and Heathenism in Contact. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 13 judaism and heathenism.htm

The Death of a Husband is God's Call to the Widow to Continence ...
... Book I. Chapter VII."The Death of a Husband is God's Call to the Widow to
Continence Further Evidences from Scripture and from Heathenism. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to his wife/chapter vii the death of a.htm

Central Position of Christ in the History of the World.
... before Christ, the religious development of humanity separates into the two independent,
and, in their compass, very unequal branches of Judaism and heathenism ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 8 central position of.htm

Chrysostom's Youth and Training, AD 347-370.
... The famous advocate of heathenism, Libanius, on hearing of her consistency
and devotion, felt constrained to exclaim: "Bless me! ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/chapter ii chrysostoms youth and training.htm

Christ Our Lesson and Our Teacher
... Ephesians 4:20, 21. The Apostle has been describing in very severe terms
the godlessness and corruption of heathenism. He reckons on ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/christ our lesson and our.htm

The Old Faith Preparing for the New - Development of Hellenist ...
... Thus, more withering sarcasm could scarcely be poured on heathenism than in the
apocryphal story of Bel and the Dragon,' or in the so-called Epistle of Jeremy ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the old faith.htm

As Many as were Called by Grace, and Displayed the First Zeal...
... In his last contests with Constantine, Licinius had made himself the representative
of heathenism; so that the final issue of the war would not be the mere ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xii as many as.htm

Introductory Note
... translator, in his Introductory Note. We owe to himself the pleasing story
of his conversion from heathenism. But I think it important ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/introductory note.htm

Converts (9 Occurrences)
... Cyrene. Others are visitors from Rome--being either Jews or converts from
heathenism--and others are Cretans or Arabians. (WEY). ...
/c/converts.htm - 8k

Heathenism (2 Occurrences)
...Heathenism (2 Occurrences). ... Others are visitors from Rome--being either Jews or converts
from heathenism--and others are Cretans or Arabians. (WEY). ...
/h/heathenism.htm - 7k

Golden (86 Occurrences)
... Jeroboam was not attempting to shock the conscience of his religious adherents by
making heathenism the state religion, but rather to win these pious ...
/g/golden.htm - 66k

Devils (48 Occurrences)
... Our fuller knowledge of the spiritism which conditions the use of images enables
us to recognize the fact that from the viewpoint of heathenism itself Paul's ...
/d/devils.htm - 31k

Demons (54 Occurrences)
... Our fuller knowledge of the spiritism which conditions the use of images enables
us to recognize the fact that from the viewpoint of heathenism itself Paul's ...
/d/demons.htm - 34k

Communion (8 Occurrences)
... Our fuller knowledge of the spiritism which conditions the use of images enables
us to recognize the fact that from the viewpoint of heathenism itself Paul's ...
/c/communion.htm - 30k

With (66342 Occurrences)
... Our fuller knowledge of the spiritism which conditions the use of images enables
us to recognize the fact that from the viewpoint of heathenism itself Paul's ...
/w/with.htm - 20k

Calf (39 Occurrences)
... Jeroboam was not attempting to shock the conscience of his religious adherents by
making heathenism the state religion, but rather to win these pious ...
/c/calf.htm - 49k

Nail (9 Occurrences)
... the nails" is in Deuteronomy 21:12 (marg., "make, " or "dress, " or "suffer to grow")
one of the signs of purification, separation from former heathenism (Comp ...
/n/nail.htm - 14k

Galatians (2 Occurrences)
... They seem to have been composed mainly of converts from heathenism (4:8), but partly
also of Jewish converts, who probably, under the influence of Judaizing ...
/g/galatians.htm - 43k

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