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Syncretism, Assimilation

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Ligonier Editorial ©Ligonier.org What Is Syncretism? Syncretism is the process by which aspects of one religion are assimilated into, or blended with, another religion. This leads to fundamental changes in both religions. Old Testament In the Old Testament, God was deeply concerned with the pressure and temptation toward syncretism. As the people of God moved into the Promised Land they were confronted with pagan religions. The Canaanite gods, Baal and Asherah, became objects of Israelite devotion. Later, God’s people worshiped the national gods of Assyria and Babylon. The law of God clearly warned Israel not only against abandoning Yahweh for other gods, but against worshiping other gods in addition to the true God. The prophets warned of coming judgments as the people modified their faith to accommodate foreign doctrines and practices. New Testament The New Testament period was one of widespread syncretism. As the Greek Empire expanded, her gods mingled wi...

The Catholic man in the Protestantism

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"Catholicism" in the Protestantism pre When we talk about the "Catholic person" we should see the original definition which refers to a diverse spirituality, not some religious tradition and trend contrary to Protestantism but the attitude of a person, based on his culture, family and community. Definition of the Catholic Catholicism is a rich and diverse reality... The word Catholic is derived from the Greek adjective, katholikos , meaning "universal," and from the adverbial phrase, kath' holou, meaning "on the whole." The term was first used by St. Ignatius of Antioch (d.c. 107) in his Letter to the Smyrneans.. Ever since the Reformation, the word has commonly been used in opposition to Protestant, but its real opposite is sectarian, which pertains to a part of the Church that has separated itself off from the worldwide Church.. {Catholicism. ©1994 by HarperCollins Publishers.} From the non-religious, Bible centered sta...