What are some verses in the bible that quote pagan/non-christian sources?

Question

I am told that there are certain passages within the New Testament that quote pagan/non-Christian sources. And that this is not, for example, Pilate said such and such. These passages are Christians quoting pagan sources.

First off, what is a pagan?

Second off, I have tried to look in my index (I have a teen bible) but i can't find anything like that. What verses are they directing to?

Answer 1

There are many stories in the Bible that are based on earlier myths. The book, "101 Myths of the Bible: How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History", by Gary Greenberg demonstrates some of them.

Answer 2

Pagan Bible Verses

Answer 3

A pagan is a pre-Christian religion. The word tends to take on a negative connotation due to the fact that Western Civilization has been Christian for much of its history (nothing wrong with that, I'm a Christian and I love Western Civ), however, we need to remember that notable individuals such as Plato and Aristotle were "pagans" by this definition, as was Buddha.

As for pagan sources in the Bible, I don't know of any specific notations or quotes. The Old Testament makes reference to VERY ancient pagan deities, such as Tammuz, Pazuzu, Leviathan, etc. Many of these have Akkadian or Babylonian origins (remember the Israelites were kept as slaves by the Babylonians for a long time- their captivity there may have influenced many of the stories of the OT and comparisons have been made to Babylonain mythology).

The making of the golden calf in Genesis (which angered God) by the Israelites was a pagan ritual.

Ezekiel 8:14 (Tammuz).

If this is for a paper, don't forget to put the entire chapter in context.

Answer 4

Just some clarification (unfortunately, I do not have an answer for you).

Historically, in the Christian West "pagan" refers to worshipers of the Greco-Roman pantheon alone (pantheistic idolatry). However, the word has come to mean *any* non-Christian religion (traditionally referred to as heathen, rather than pagan). If you read European history, you will often read accounts of pagan Muslims (Mediterranean Muslims, nominally, that still worshiped Greco-Roman gods in addition to Allah). Considering the nature of your question, I would guess that "pagan" in this instance refers specifically to Greco-Roman quotes.

Unfortunately, the only non-scriptural quotes I know are in Jude, where he quotes Enoch (not pagan, but rather a Hebrew work apparently quite popular among the Jews of the 1st century C.E.)

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 5

I can only think of one offhand:
In Acts, "All Cretans" are called total liars and slowbellies by St. Paul. This refers to a quote by a pagan author who said something like, "An Absolutely Truthful man said that It is an Absolute Truth that All Cretans always lie always!", but he was a Cretan! So, If all Cretans lie, and he is a Cretan, then he is lying about all Cretans always telling lies, which is False because all Cretans lie all the time, therefore he lies all the time, but he is telling the Truth because Cretans do lie all the time, but no Cretan can tell the Truth.,,,

Webster's Dictionary takes the xtian view on paganism. However, Paganism actually refers to both the religions that aren't xtian like Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Animism, various flavors of heretical xtianity (Gnosticism), the present revivals of Heathendom (like Asatru) and the Neo-Pagan movement: Druidry, Celtic and Women's Spiritualiy, Wicca, etc...

Answer 6

we first we cant show you how to in case you do not prefer to be helped. only think of approximately this do you somewhat wanna take the prospect of being incorrect?? i advise somewhat existence in hell because of the fact your to proud to confess you have not have been given administration and we quote the bible because of the fact the bible has some thing for each man or woman in it and btw speaking to non-Christians is amazingly very very terrifying because of the fact in being human we needless to say care what people think of no rely how confusing we attempt to not we do so we are apprehensive what you will think of yet we over come that worry a touch via utilising the bible as a connection with what we are saying. i don't comprehend if this might show you how to yet i will purely attempt

Answer 7

A lot of the bible incorporates old mythological stories, mostly Greek. One example that I can think of in the old testament is the story of Noah. This comes from the Greeks who got it from the Sumerians (ancient city state in present day Iraq)


You've got to remember, Christianity is just mythology that has a lot of current believers, therefore, people refer to it as a religion.

A pagan is simply someone that believes in two or more gods instead of one.

Answer 8

Well of course your teen bible wont tell you anything about Pagans~ They want you to only know what they shove down your throats and not what is really out there to explain the mysteries of the universe!
http://www.religioustolerance.org/paganism.htm

I guess with a christian background this may be useful to you...
http://www.msnusers.com/GoddessAwareChristianWomen

Be Blessed
Ariel