Christianity has been an influential religion since its emergence in the first century, and it is often suggested that it originated from paganism. This begs the question, “Did Christianity come from paganism?” In this article, we look at the history of Christianity by exploring the origins of this religion, which can help us uncover the answers to our initial question.
Paganism before Christianity
Before Christianity’s emergence in the first century, the world was largely composed of polytheistic and pagan culture. The Judeo-Christian people of the time were heavily involved in pagan practices, such as sacrifices of animals, worshiping idols and incorporating many gods into their belief system. This type of religion is definitively classified as paganism, which in Latin means “heathen”.
The Coming of Christianity
The New Testament of the Bible marks the beginnings of Christianity, as it was the first record of Jesus’s life and teachings. Pagan religious elements were replaced with the concept of one God, and the teaching of the new faith inspired many followers throughout the Mediterranean. Christianity soon became the official religion of the Roman Empire by the 4th century.
Origin of Christianity
When it comes to the origins of Christianity and its relationship to paganism, there is some debate to be had. Some researchers believe that the early Christian leaders may have borrowed from pagan ideas and beliefs to provide a narrative for their followers. This hypothesis is based on the idea that the very basic foundation of Christianity is similar to other ancient religions, and as such, it is possible that early Christians may have sourced from a variety of these beliefs to create the form of Christianity that we know today.
Assertions and Rebuttals
There are assertions that the belief system of Christianity is not only heavily borrowed from paganism, but rebranded so to create the latest, most updated religion. However, some Christian proponents say this is only a very narrow view, and being influenced by paganism is just one of many aspects that helped shape Christianity. For instance, it is notable that many of the events described in Christianity can be found in other ancient religions and cultures, as universality is a significant component of any religion.
Similarities between Christianity and Paganism
The similarities between Christianity and Paganism are too plentiful to ignore. It can be argued that the medieval Christian church used Pagan practices and symbolism, such as celebrating holidays like Easter and Christmas, which were taken from Pagan rituals. Some historians also assert that early Christian records were heavily influenced by mythology, which is a major part of paganism.
The Impact of Christianity on Paganism
With the rise of Christianity to the top religion in the Mediterranean world, many Pagan beliefs unfortunately diminished and were undermined by the new religion. As Christianity became more popular and widespread, those who held onto their pagan beliefs ultimately converted to it in order to fit with the mainstream norm, which was heavily Christianised. As such, Paganism is no longer a prominent religion today.
Analysing Relationships between Christianity and Paganism
Whilst undeniably some aspects of Christianity and Paganism are shared, such as mythology and belief in the same deity, to suggest that Christianity is explictly derived from Paganism would be inaccurate. Rather, Christianity has been heavily influenced by the spiritual and cultural milieu from the places and times that the religion was made. From the longstanding religion of Judaism to ancient Roman philosophy, Christianity has seen a wide range of influences and touched many different elements since its inception.
Foundational Elements of Christianity
Christianity is a strong, unified faith built on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who is claimed as the Son of God. This narrative has given the religion a set of core values, such as loving your neighbour, being non-judgmental, and embracing hope and forgiveness.
Novel Ideas and Theologies
With the establishment of Christianity, came the rise of a completely new set of ideas and theologies which were never seen before. This is apparent in the works of scholars such as St. Augustine who developed new theories into free will and divine grace. Furthermore, the papacy instigated a system of governance that is still used to this day.
Seeking Truth in History
To understand the relationship between Christianity and Paganism, it is important to look at both historically and from a scholarly approach to comprehend why and how the two seem so intertwined. By understanding the antecedents of the religion, it is possible to further unravel the truth about this relationship.
Current Intersection between Christianity and Paganism
In the 21st century, it is not uncommon to find aspects of both Christianity and Paganism combined in people’s lives. Christianity remains the world’s largest religion and as such, many of its traditions and philosophies are still practised today. On the other hand, Paganism is back on the up and there is a shift in people looking to embrace the ancient beliefs again.
Fresh Perspectives on Interfaith
With the increasing amount of interfaith dialogue in recent years, there has been more and more discourse on the intersection of Christianity and Paganism. Scholars have come forward to challenge the narrative that Christianity is simply rebranded paganism, while also exploring how the two can be seen as companion faiths.
A Symbiotic Relationship?
It can be concluded that Christianity, although influenced by paganism, is a stand-alone religion and is by no means a rebrand or a copy of paganism. The uniqueness and particularities of Christianity’s theologies become the most distinct characteristic of the religion itself. It could, therefore, be suggested that Christianity and Paganism are more interdependent, with some taking from the other to build a diverse and vibrant faith.
