Proclaiming Truth in a Neo-Pagan Culture

 

Summary

In today's world, we are called to bear Christian witness in a society that increasingly embraces a neo-pagan cosmology. This worldview, which has been developing over recent decades, presents itself as a coherent and comprehensive understanding of existence, yet it is fundamentally anti-Christian. It is crucial for Christians, especially millennials, to recognize that the culture they inhabit is not neutral but is influenced by ideas that oppose Christian truths. This shift is evident in statements from influential figures and media that assert human autonomy over divine authority, such as the claim that rights come from man, not God.

Historically, Western culture was dominated by Christianity, with God the Father as the central figure. However, the rise of secular humanism, which placed human reason above divine truth, marked a significant shift. This period, spanning from the French Revolution to the fall of the Berlin Wall, represented the peak of secular humanism. Yet, in recent times, secular humanism has been declining, giving way to a resurgence of pagan spirituality, characterized by a return to ancient myths and a rejection of rationalism.

This new paganism, often disguised as spirituality, is evident in the widespread acceptance of ideas that blur the lines between good and evil, male and female, and even humanity and divinity. Figures like Carl Jung have played a significant role in this shift, promoting a spirituality that rejects biblical notions of guilt and sin. This worldview, which I term "one-ism," posits that all is one, erasing distinctions and promoting a form of egalitarianism that denies the biblical truth of a Creator distinct from creation.

As Christians, we must understand this cultural shift and its implications. The rise of one-ism challenges the foundational Christian belief in two-ism, where God is separate from His creation. This understanding is crucial as we engage with a culture that increasingly embraces pagan ideas. Our response must be a robust and courageous proclamation of the truth of two-ism, affirming the distinctiveness of God and His creation. This is the only way to effectively communicate the gospel in our time and to offer a compelling alternative to the prevailing cultural narrative.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Neo-Pagan Cosmology: The current cultural shift towards a neo-pagan worldview is not neutral but profoundly anti-Christian. It is essential for Christians to recognize and understand this cosmology to effectively engage with the culture and proclaim the gospel. [01:20]

2. The Decline of Secular Humanism: While secular humanism once dominated, it is now being replaced by a resurgence of pagan spirituality. This shift highlights the need for Christians to be aware of the changing cultural landscape and to respond with the truth of the gospel. [07:12]

3. The Rise of One-ism: The new paganism promotes a worldview where all is one, erasing distinctions and denying the biblical truth of a Creator distinct from creation. Christians must affirm the truth of two-ism, where God is separate from His creation, to counter this ideology. [22:47]

4. The Role of Influential Figures: Figures like Carl Jung have significantly influenced the cultural shift towards pagan spirituality. Understanding their impact can help Christians engage with the culture and offer a compelling alternative rooted in biblical truth. [11:28]

5. Proclaiming the Gospel in a Pagan World: In a culture that increasingly embraces pagan ideas, Christians must boldly proclaim the truth of the gospel, affirming the distinctiveness of God and His creation. This is the only way to effectively communicate the gospel and offer hope to a generation seeking meaning. [37:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - Introduction to Neo-Pagan Cosmology
- [01:20] - The Influence of Anti-Christian Notions
- [02:09] - Human Autonomy vs. Divine Authority
- [03:34] - The Role of Media in Shaping Culture
- [04:10] - The Development of a New Cosmology
- [05:44] - The Rise and Fall of Secular Humanism
- [07:12] - The Return of Pagan Spirituality
- [08:28] - The Critique of Post-Modernism
- [10:06] - Culture Shock and Changing Religion
- [11:28] - Carl Jung's Influence on Spirituality
- [13:10] - The World of Fantasy and Pagan Mysticism
- [14:47] - Julian the Apostate and Jung's Success
- [16:58] - The Death of God and New Polytheism
- [18:54] - America's Shift Towards Hinduism
- [20:41] - The Challenge of Preaching the Gospel
- [22:47] - One-ism vs. Two-ism
- [25:16] - The Push for a New Sexuality
- [27:35] - The New Age Goes Mainline
- [29:17] - Rationalization and Cultural Change
- [31:32] - The Ideological Leviathan
- [33:37] - The Deep Pagan Notion in Culture
- [35:03] - The Post-Secular Era
- [37:06] - A Call to Proclaim the Gospel

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
2. Romans 1:25 - "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen."
3. Isaiah 44:6 - "This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the main thesis of the sermon regarding the current cultural worldview? [00:25]
2. How does the sermon describe the shift from secular humanism to neo-pagan cosmology? [07:12]
3. What role does Carl Jung play in the cultural shift towards pagan spirituality according to the sermon? [11:28]
4. How does the sermon define "one-ism" and "two-ism"? [22:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "one-ism" challenge the biblical understanding of God as distinct from His creation? [22:47]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the current cultural shift impacts the proclamation of the gospel? [37:40]
3. How might the influence of figures like Carl Jung affect the way people perceive guilt and sin in today's culture? [11:28]
4. What are the implications of the statement "Our rights do not come from God, they come from man" for Christian witness? [03:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the cultural messages you encounter daily. How do they align or conflict with the biblical truth of God as Creator? [03:34]
2. How can you personally affirm the truth of "two-ism" in your conversations with others who may hold a "one-ism" worldview? [22:47]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you might be influenced by neo-pagan ideas. How can you counteract this influence with biblical truth? [07:12]
4. How can you engage with millennials or younger generations to help them recognize the anti-Christian notions in today's culture? [01:20]
5. Consider the role of media in shaping cultural beliefs. How can you discern and filter the messages you receive to maintain a biblical perspective? [03:34]
6. What practical steps can you take to boldly proclaim the gospel in a culture that increasingly embraces pagan ideas? [37:40]
7. How can you educate yourself and others about the historical and cultural shifts that have led to the current worldview, and why is this important for Christian witness? [05:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Neo-Pagan Influence
In today's world, Christians are called to bear witness in a society that increasingly embraces a neo-pagan cosmology. This worldview presents itself as a coherent understanding of existence but is fundamentally anti-Christian. It is crucial for Christians, especially millennials, to recognize that the culture they inhabit is not neutral but is influenced by ideas that oppose Christian truths. This shift is evident in statements from influential figures and media that assert human autonomy over divine authority, such as the claim that rights come from man, not God. Understanding this cultural shift is essential for effectively engaging with the culture and proclaiming the gospel. [01:20]

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you noticed the influence of neo-pagan ideas in your daily life, and how can you actively counter these influences with the truth of the gospel today?


Day 2: The Decline of Secular Humanism
Historically, Western culture was dominated by Christianity, with God the Father as the central figure. However, the rise of secular humanism, which placed human reason above divine truth, marked a significant shift. This period, spanning from the French Revolution to the fall of the Berlin Wall, represented the peak of secular humanism. Yet, in recent times, secular humanism has been declining, giving way to a resurgence of pagan spirituality, characterized by a return to ancient myths and a rejection of rationalism. This shift highlights the need for Christians to be aware of the changing cultural landscape and to respond with the truth of the gospel. [07:12]

"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness.'" (1 Corinthians 3:19, ESV)

Reflection: How can you discern and respond to the decline of secular humanism in your community, and what steps can you take to share the gospel in this changing landscape?


Day 3: Affirming the Truth of Two-ism
The new paganism promotes a worldview where all is one, erasing distinctions and denying the biblical truth of a Creator distinct from creation. This worldview, termed "one-ism," posits that all is one, erasing distinctions and promoting a form of egalitarianism that denies the biblical truth of a Creator distinct from creation. As Christians, we must affirm the truth of two-ism, where God is separate from His creation, to counter this ideology. This understanding is crucial as we engage with a culture that increasingly embraces pagan ideas. [22:47]

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." (Colossians 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you affirm the distinctiveness of God and His creation in your conversations and actions today?


Day 4: Understanding the Influence of Cultural Figures
Figures like Carl Jung have played a significant role in the cultural shift towards pagan spirituality. Jung promoted a spirituality that rejects biblical notions of guilt and sin, contributing to the rise of one-ism. Understanding the impact of such influential figures can help Christians engage with the culture and offer a compelling alternative rooted in biblical truth. By recognizing these influences, Christians can better navigate the cultural landscape and proclaim the gospel effectively. [11:28]

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you educate yourself and others about the influence of cultural figures like Carl Jung, and how can this knowledge help you engage with the culture more effectively?


Day 5: Proclaiming the Gospel in a Pagan World
In a culture that increasingly embraces pagan ideas, Christians must boldly proclaim the truth of the gospel, affirming the distinctiveness of God and His creation. This is the only way to effectively communicate the gospel and offer hope to a generation seeking meaning. By understanding the cultural shift and its implications, Christians can engage with the culture and offer a compelling alternative to the prevailing narrative. [37:40]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to boldly proclaim the gospel in your community, and how can you support others in doing the same?

Quotes

JONES: My subject really is, in what kind of a world today are we called to Christian witness? And I call the world in which we live today a pagan world. I have a thesis, it goes like this, that the rising generation, the millennial generation is the first generation of our modern era to receive a fully developed neo-Pagan cosmology masquerading as the correct view of history and demanding to be inscribed in public policy. [00:00:09]

It is, indeed, a well-worked out cosmology that is a worldview about the nature of existence, and it is thoroughly Pagan, and I have produced these materials, and the point of my lecture as well, is really to try to describe to millennials that the culture in which they now live, in which they were born, came from somewhere. It's not neutral. [00:00:57]

For most of western history, Christianity dominated, and God the Father was the fundamental notion of who God was, but then we had the attack of secular humanism which brought about its own, in its own way a decline of Christianity where man is God, where the reason of man is the only source of truth, and that lasted form really, if you want to give it dates 1789-1989. [00:05:07]

In our time, oddly enough, we are seeing the decline of secular humanism. It is no longer in a certain sense the massive tool of the devil to attack Christian truth, because what is arising to replace it is a belief not in God the Father, but a belief in the return of the divine mother. That is to say, a rejection of this rationalism of the secular humanists to an irrationalism based on ancient Pagan myths. [00:07:03]

At the beginning of the twentieth century, he with Freud basically invented psychology, but I believe Jung succeeded because he believed in spirituality, and he was very critical, really, of secular humanism. He wanted a place for spirituality, but it wasn't the spirituality of the Bible even though he was raised in a Lutheran home. His father was a Lutheran pastor. [00:11:09]

He was an expert in alchemy, Gnosticism, Hinduism, and his goal was to eliminate from the West the very notion of guilt, and he realized that in these pagan myths, and in the eastern world, there is no such thing as guilt. And the reason is because in these pagan systems, you're able to see the opposites that conflict and join them yourself. [00:12:00]

I just produced a book entitled, "One or Two," and what I'm trying to say in that book was that there are only two religions. One religion emphasizes that all is one, and then the Biblical religion that says all is two, that there is the creation and then separate from the creation is the creator which makes two kinds of existence. So, all is not one, all is two. [00:19:37]

There are only two religions I would argue. There's the religion of one-ism or the religion of two-ism. In one-ism, everything is one, there are real no distinctions, everything is made of the same stuff, matter is eternal, and it has this spark of divinity within it. So, we can worship it. So, that's the basis of nature worship, there's no category for sin. [00:22:50]

In biblical two-ism, we have the wisdom of God based on his being as totally separate from the things he made. That's the message of the Bible from the first statement in the Bible, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Everything else in the Bible from that stage on is pure commentary on that profound truth that God is separate from the creation. [00:23:52]

I believe the only answer to a self-justifying, rationalizing, all-inclusive cosmology based on the lie, one-ism, is a robust, convincing, courageous cosmology of the truth, two-ism. Only a discourse at this level will save the millennial generation, and us too, as Christ church on earth. [00:37:44]

I believe we are facing an ideological leviathan, a thoroughly worked out pagan cosmology, and it's in that context that we need to speak the gospel. So, what do we do? All I can tell you is my hope and prayer. [00:37:22]

I would suggest that as the millennial generation and those of you who talk to them need to realize, that what I have seen in my lifetime is not a typical cultural change as generations pass the baton from the old folks to the young, but what has happened is a radical, catastrophic religious change from a two-ist civilization with all its problems, to a militant one-ist civilization. [00:36:42]

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Transcript
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