A problem I have with Neil Gaiman’s “American God’s” is that the book and TV series do not give nearly enough credit to the staying power of the old gods. Mars, the god of war, is still worshipped by many Americans, as is Hermes, the god of commerce and communication, and Vulcan, the god ofContinue reading “The unacknowledged gods and goddesses of America”
Tag Archives: pagan
What is a god?
A problem with classifying world views as polytheistic or monotheistic or atheistic is that we’re not always using the word theos, that is, god, in the same way. Monotheistic worldviews that emphasise the oneness of God have rarely excluded concurrent belief in angels. Which begs the question: how exactly do we differentiate angels in monotheismContinue reading “What is a god?”
The Dryghten and my views on Divinity
I actually find the Dryghten closer to my understanding of YHWH than the various gods of Paganism. I found this Wiccan blessing particularly interesting: “In the name of Dryghtyn, the Ancient Providence, Who was from the beginning and is for eternity, Male and Female, the Original Source of all things; all-knowing, all-pervading, all-powerful; changeless, eternal.Continue reading “The Dryghten and my views on Divinity”
Jesus as Dionysus and Demeter
In the western imagination YHWH and his messiah have most often been equated with Zeus, lord of the sky, and Apollo, his light giving son … or is it sun? And yet, the scriptures again and again speak YHWH as Lord of earth, sky and sea and everything in them. Would it not be justContinue reading “Jesus as Dionysus and Demeter”
Greek Mythology in the New Testament
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) And I tell you that interacting with contemporary Pagans has given me greater appreciation for just how often the messianic Jews of the New Testament encountered andContinue reading “Greek Mythology in the New Testament”
Do you have to be a “purist” to practice Christianity?
Personally I practice a very eclectic approach to Christianity. This is how I often answer NeoPagans who ask me about it: I see plenty of justification for a flexible approach to Christianity in the New Testament. Indeed, the apostle Paul went so far as to insist on multiple occasions that getting hung up on STYLEContinue reading “Do you have to be a “purist” to practice Christianity?”
How is the Christian church different?
How is the Christian church different from the Jewish synagogue, or the Muslim ummah, or the Buddhist Sangha, or the Wiccan coven? They are all words which refer to community after all. Is there any difference in your experience? Should there be any difference?
Why pentacles are unnecessary for the Esoteric Christian
I thought I would share some interesting nuggets of information about pentacles as used in tarot and esoteric ritual. Pentacles in the Tarot Did you know that the pentacles of the tarot weren’t always pentacles? The four suits of the minor arcana of the tarot are popularly known as swords, cups, wands and pentacles. That theContinue reading “Why pentacles are unnecessary for the Esoteric Christian”
Christo-paganism is more common that you think
Many people think of Christo-Paganism as an odd offshoot of Neo-Paganism, but it is far more common than that. Here is what Christian anthropologist Paul Hiebert had to say about syncretism and Christo-Paganism in Understanding Folk Religion: A Christian Response to Popular Beliefs and Practices: Syncretism The danger in responding to folk religions is not soContinue reading “Christo-paganism is more common that you think”
Jesus of Nazareth: Lightning Thief
Who said theology needed to be dry? Last weekend I found myself in a conversation with my sons about the Greek gods and the ancient Christians. You see, my pre-teen sons are both into the Percy Jackson books and movies this year, and for the uninitiated Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon, the GreekContinue reading “Jesus of Nazareth: Lightning Thief”
Curious Christian 