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Modern Christianity: Roots and Influences

Feb 9, 2025

Lecture Notes: Critique of Modern Christianity and Historical Context

Introduction

  • The lecture discusses the divergence between the Christianity of today and the original teachings of Jesus.
  • The argument is that modern Christianity has pagan influences and is not biblically founded.
  • The presenter challenges the notion that Christianity originated with Europeans.

Main Points

Christianity and Paganism

  • Christianity today is considered a new face of paganism.
  • The term "Christianity" itself is not found in the Bible, and the current form differs from the teachings of Jesus.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:4 is cited to show that another Jesus and gospel were preached, which aligns with modern Christian beliefs.

Historical Context

  • Early Christianity was Jewish in origin, focused on Jesus as the Messiah and adhering to Jewish laws.
  • The spread of Christianity was heavily influenced by Greco-Roman paganism.
  • Pagan festivals (e.g., Christmas, Easter) have been incorporated into Christian traditions.

Roman Influence and Spread of Christianity

  • Roman emperors, like Nero, persecuted early Christians, which strengthened the movement.
  • The Roman Catholic Church merged paganism with Christian doctrines to control religious beliefs.
  • The concept of Jesus' miraculous birth is linked to removing his humanity, making it an excuse for not following biblical laws.

Pagan Practices in Christianity

  • Early Christians adhered to Jewish laws and traditions, including Sabbath observance and synagogue attendance.
  • Pagan customs, such as the Christmas tree and Easter egg, have origins in Babylonian and Roman festivals.

Hellenistic Influence

  • Hellenistic religion and philosophy significantly influenced early Christianity.
  • The Greeks and Romans worshipped the same gods under different names, adopting this into Christian theology.

Historical Figures and Events

  • Notable figures like William Tindale contributed to translating the Bible into English, influencing the King James Bible.
  • The King James Bible translation process was thorough, with Easter in Acts 12:4 intentionally left due to its pagan context.

Conclusion

  • Modern Christianity, as practiced, is heavily influenced by pagan traditions and diverges from its original teachings.
  • The lecture encourages understanding the true origins of Christian practices and adhering to biblical teachings rather than traditions.

Key Verses

  • 2 Corinthians 11:4: Another Jesus and gospel are preached.
  • Acts 20:7: Meeting on the first day of the week was not for Sunday worship but to see Paul off.
  • Matthew 5:17: Jesus did not come to destroy the law.
  • Isaiah 28:11: The Bible would be translated into other tongues for people to understand.

Important Concepts

  • Pagan Trinity: Nimrod, Semiramis, and Tammuz as the first pagan trinity.
  • Sun Worship: Roman and Greek influence seen in the adoption of sun worship customs.
  • Cultural Syncretism: The merging of different religious practices into Christianity to appeal to a broader audience.

Final Thoughts

  • The lecture emphasizes the importance of returning to the original teachings and practices of early Christians, focusing on biblical commandments and recognizing the pagan roots of many current Christian customs.

Full transcript