Preaching in an Age of Pervasive Paganism

                                                                                                                                                                Vol. VIII, No. 10, Nov./Dec. 1995

Michael Duduit, editor of Preaching magazine and adjunct professor of preaching at. Southern Seminary, spoke 2-5 October at Clear Creek Bible College, Pineville, KY.

The paganism in today's culture involves the actual revival of the religions of the ancient Greco-Roman world, he said. Duduit noted that paganism also functions under a more common term today: New Age. New Age groups typically stress mystical experiences, out-of-body experiences, and astrology, he said. In addition, 'increasing numbers of Americans are interested in witchcraft, also known as wicca. "A characteristic of contemporary paganism is the attitude that all religions or belief systems are equally valid with no single, revealed' truth that is appropriate for all," Duduit said.

The greatest danger paganism poses to the church is NOT that massive numbers of Christians will leave the church and become active followers of a pagan religion but rather "The far greater danger is that a majority of Americans – both inside and outside the church – will adopt attitudes and philosophies shared and shaped by contemporary paganism." "We preach to people whose attitudes are shaped by a pagan culture – through public education, through media – and we must recognize that fact." [BP]