Christian Paganism?

[Pard]

Bob, I do not speak Latin, nor do I use dictionaries from that long ago... I use a dictionary that was published in 2007 (seriously, who needs a new dictionary every year?). In 2007 paganism meant any religion that doesn't worship the Elohim... I'll stick to that definition, because that is the one we use today.

And to be etymologically correct, I feel I should inform you it is derived from an earlier latin usage of the word "paganus" which referred to an incompetent civilian soldier. It came to use in the 14th century and it did not come into its current meaning until the early 1900s.

Source, my etymology dictionary. It's no OED, but it does the job.

 

[seekandlisten]

If your Bible uses the word paganism then the translator is paraphrsing too much. With respect to both of you, the word isn't to do with Abrahamic religion. It comes from the Latin paganus which means country dweller. It was the equivalent of calling someone a hick or a redneck. It took on a religious meaning when the educated city folk became Christian while older practices, now looked down on as backward and superstitious, survived in the country. In a religious context it's fourth century at the earliest, so it doesn't feature in the Bible.

Thanks for posting that bob. I have always assumed the meaning to be more of reference to 'idol worshippers' back in the day and not really applicable in modern terms. I've seen the reference come up when looking into pantheism and some 'new age' type beliefs systems but never paid much attention to it.

cheers