2007-05-01 06:40:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's already a proven fact. It was easier for people to accept what he was saying if he injected it with some of their beliefs. Christmas and Easter were both Pagan holidays. In fact, the church outlawed Christmas. Christmas has been celebrated as we know it just since the 1800's.
NOTE: Now why would someone give me a thumbs down for stating a known fact? This isn't my thoughts. If it were my thoughts, I'd say "I believe...". Just goes to show how naive people really are.
2007-05-01 07:06:12 · answer #1 · answered by QaHearts 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No Paul is not guilty of paganizing Christianity. It was Constantine.
For the first 280 years of Christian history, Christianity was banned by the Roman empire, and Christians were terribly persecuted. This changed after the “conversion” of the Roman Emperor Constantine. Constantine “legalized” Christianity at the Edict of Milan in A.D. 313. Later, in A.D. 325, Constantine called together the Council of Nicea, in an attempt to unify Christianity. Constantine envisioned Christianity as a religion that could unite the Roman Empire, which at that time was beginning to fragment and divide. While this may have seemed to be a positive development for the Christian church, the results were anything but positive. Just as Constantine refused to fully embrace the Christian faith, but continued many of his pagan beliefs and practices, so the Christian church that Constantine promoted was a mixture of true Christianity and Roman paganism.
Constantine found that with the Roman Empire being so vast, expansive, and diverse – not everyone would agree to forsake their religious beliefs and instead embrace Christianity. So, Constantine allowed, and even promoted, the “Christianization” of pagan beliefs. Completely pagan and utterly unbiblical beliefs were given new “Christian” identities.
2007-05-01 14:52:39 · answer #2 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's consider this. Did Paul agree with God and the previous prophets of God? Obviously he did. Moses taught the tree of life and the lamb of God and God's purpose for his creation, Abraham taught that God would provide himself a lamb for sacrifice. Isaiah taught the Messiah would atone for sin. John the Baptist said "Behold the Lamb of God" Jesus taught that he would fufill the prophsies of Isaiah 53 that he would atone for the sins of his people. What Gospel to you suppose Paul hijacked? from Moses to Christ the same message is taught from God why are you not seeking God's truth? Moses taught this message in 1500 BC who's message do you suppose he hijacked?
2007-05-01 13:47:56 · answer #3 · answered by djmantx 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some maybe. But I think the Pagan beliefs were adopted later. Mostly to help convert different peoples to "THE CHURCH". Incorporating their local practices would help ease them into Christianity. Many Holidays are celebrated with those additions even today.
2007-05-01 13:47:12 · answer #4 · answered by Celtic Tejas 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Or is it possible that Paul [Saulus] experienced what he said he did: Christ revealed in himself [Gal 1, 16] as Christ asked Him "Saul, why persecutest thou me" [Acts 22, 7]
2007-05-01 13:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by Pelgrim 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, he injected Roman pagan beliefs into it, he 'flavored' it for his target audience. The Saxon 'flavor' came later.
2007-05-01 13:48:36 · answer #6 · answered by St. Toad 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Possible??? It is fact
2007-05-01 13:45:24 · answer #7 · answered by Quantrill 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋