Paganism Surviving in Christianity - Abram Herbert Lewis

[245] The Two Babylons, seventh edition, London, p. 21 ff.

[246] Jer. xliv., 19.

[247] Two Babylons, p. 169. The references to Wilkinson’s Egyptians are vol. ii., p. 94, and vol. v., pp. 383, 384.

[248] Ovid, Fasti, bk. i.

[249] Hislop, Two Babylons, p. 106.

INDEX.

A
Abespine, on use of “lights” at tombs, [264].
Achamoth, gnostic idea of, injected into N. T. exegesis, [45].
Alabaster, Henry, describes Brahmanic baptism, [93].
Allegorists, the “Fathers” as, [44].
Allegory, the mediator between philosophy and religion, [39];
existed among the Greeks before the Christian era, [39];
united paganism and Judaism, [39];
corrupted the earliest methods of Scripture exegesis, [42];
perverted the true doctrine of “inspiration,” [43];
great influence of, on “Christian exegesis,” [46];
destructive examples of, [49], [50];
foolish application of, to clean and unclean food, [51], [52];
unmeaning application of, to the “cross,” [53];
much used by Augustine, [64], [65];
prevailing influence in Scripture interpretation, after the second century, [66];
used by Barnabas in combining pagan and Christian ideas concerning baptism, [133] f;
destructive application of, to the Decalogue, [184] f.
Alzog, historian, describes the character of Constantine, [212].
Anointing, in baptism, borrowed from pagans, [123];
use of, in baptism, as shown in apostolic constitutions, [138].
Antinomianism, wholly unscriptural, [166].
Anti-Sabbathism, appeared contemporaneously with Sunday observance, [159];
wholly unscriptural, [166].
Apollo, the counterpart of Mithras and Baal, [156];
the patron deity of Constantine, [219].
Apostolic Constitutions, teach pagan theories concerning baptism, [137] f.
Aringhus, on similarity between paganism and Roman Catholicism, [11].
Aruspices, Constantine’s law concerning, associated with his Sunday edict, [222].
Astarte, worship of, reproduced in worship of the “Virgin Mary,” [28];
the worship of, at Rome, [199].
Augustine, influence of, on formation of Christian doctrines, [64];
evil effect of allegorizing Scriptures by, [64], [65];
describes corrupting influence of paganism on Christians, [224], [225];
excessive superstition of, regarding miracles wrought by baptism, [258].
Aurelian, Emperor, “Triumph” of, [199];
costly offerings to the Sun-god, [200].
Aztecs, baptism as practised by, [109] f.
B
Baal, the worship of, corrupted the Israelites, [156].
Baptism, character of, in the N. T., [71], [72];
pagans sought spiritual purity by it, [77];
mithraic and gnostic, [77];
gnostics called it a “purifying fire,” [79];
pagans initiated candidates to their “mysteries” by it, [82];
by blood, a feature of mithraicism, [82];
administered at death as a means of salvation, [83];
performed for the dead, [83];
associated with serpent worship, [85];
pagan, in Egypt, [87];
of young children in Thibet and Mongolia, [93];
pagan, of the dying, [93];
modern Buddhistic, [94] f;
various forms of, in Oriental paganism, [97];
an ancient Aryan rite, [103];
pagan ideas and forms of, reproduced in the early Church, [128];
pagano-Christian theories of, taught by Methodius, Clement of Alex., and others, [136];
sign of the cross, and anointing connected with, [249];
deemed invalid without sign of the cross upon the water and the candidate, [252];
miracles said to be wrought by it, [253];
believed to cure physical diseases, [255];
delayed until near death, [256];
“orientation” in connection with vows, [257];
superstitious acceptance of miracles in connection with, [258] f;
magical power of, [258];
cancer, paralysis, and gout cured thereby, [258], [259];
evil spirits exorcised by, [259];
conclusions concerning, [290];
pagan elements yet remaining in, [291];
should be the symbol of new spiritual life, [300].
Baptists, seventh-day, prominent in English Reformation, [293].
Barnabas, closely allied to the Gnostics, [38];
“Epistle” of, shows evil effect of allegorical interpretation, [43];
foolish exegesis of Scripture by, [49];
pagan fancies applied to the “cross,” and to baptism, by, [133] f.
Baronius, Cardinal, defends the transfer of pagan ceremonies to Christianity, [8];
on “lights” used in worship, [263], [264].
Baur, F. C., describes influence of gnosticism on Christianity, [38].
Benares, city of, surrounded by sacred wells, [89].
Bible, the, written wholly by “Jews,” [177];
must be more fully reinstated as the standard of Christian faith and practice, [283].
Bingham, Rev. Joseph, compares Sunday with other pagan festivals, [222];
uses “Lord’s day” where it does not belong, [222], [223];
on sign of the cross as an enchantment among Christians, [246] f;
on “unction” and sign of the cross in baptism, [249];
on baptism as a cure for disease, [255];
on “delayed baptism,” [256];
on “orientation” at baptism, [267].
Blake, W. W., the cross as a pagan “standard,” [241].
Blood, mithraic baptism in, [82];
baptism in, practised by the ancient Germans and Norsemen, [100].
Blunt, Rev. John James, describes pagan use of human saliva as a “charm,” [124].
Boissier, Gaston, describes Constantine the Great, [205];
describes Chi-Ro standard of Constantine, [245], note.
Bonwick, James, describes Egyptian baptism, [87].
Brock, Rev. Mourant, describes kinds of “holy water,” and how prepared, [148];
quoted on pre-Christian cross in Mexico, [242].
Bryant, Jacob, describes pagan water-worship, [73].
Buddhistic baptism, described by Sir Monier-Williams, [94] f.
Bunsen, C. C. J., summarizes teachings of Apostolic Constitutions concerning baptism, [137] f.
“Buns,” hot cross, a remnant of pagan phallicism, [238] f.
Burmah, the “New Year” in, is a great water-worship festival, [95].

C
Centuries, the early ones often misjudged, [1].
Child, Mrs. Lydia M., describes Hindu baptism, [96] f.
Children, pagans named them at baptism, [100].
Choul, de, William, defends the transfer of paganism to Christianity, [9].
Christ, his resurrection allegorically foreshadowed in the deluge, [56];
allegorically typified by a bullock, [63];
the central character in both “dispensations,” [166];
did not destroy the law, [167];
taught full obedience to the Decalogue, [167], [168];
resurrection of, not associated with Sunday observance, in the Bible, [173];
did not rise from the grave on Sunday, [173];
did not live and teach simply as a “Jew,” [176];
his attitude toward civil power, [188];
His kingdom, spiritual, [189].
Christianity, weakened in the work of reform, because corrupted, [6];
deeply corrupted by pagan influence before the fifth century, [23];
contrast between that of the N. T. and that of the fourth century, [31];
first developed within the Jewish Church, [32];
primarily and essentially a new life, born of love, [32];
immensely changed in character under influence of Greek thought, [33];
fundamentally corrupted through allegory, [48];
passed a terrible ordeal when it became united with the State, [68], [196];
first recognition by Roman law was not full toleration, [195];
was controlled and regulated by civil law under Roman Empire, [195], [196];
new era in history of, began with fourth century, [203];
deeply corrupted by paganism, [231] f;
united with the State, according to pagan theories, [295], [296];
Christ forbade its union with the state, [296];
tendency towards union with civil power in the U. S. A., [296];
proved its divine origin by surviving the conflict with paganism, [299];
what it will be when paganism is fully eliminated, [299] f.
Christians, comparatively few in number when Sunday legislation began, [218].
Christian, the, needs to be broad-viewed, [1].
Christmas, date of, borrowed from sun-worship festival, [278], [279].
Chrysostom, on the use of water for cleansing, [147];
condemns low standards of life in the Church, [232];
considers the sign of the cross the greatest of all magical charms, [247], [248].
Circumcision, spiritual meaning of, according to allegory, [50].
Clement of Alex., his philippic against the Sophists, [46], [47];
his gnostic exegesis of the N. T., [47];
his gnostic exposition of the Decalogue, [60];
gives pagan reasons for observing Sunday, [181];
defends “orientation,” [266].
Clement of Rome, examples of myth and allegory from the writings of, [59].
“Conclusion,” First, [285];
Second, [289];
Third, [291];
Fourth, [295];
Fifth, [298].
“Conclusions,” [282-300].
Congregations, the earliest Christian, were guilds for holy living, [32];
had no settled form of doctrines, [33].
Constantine the Great, was a superstitious pagan, [4];
character of, [206] ff;
murdered his own son, [206];
baptized on his death-bed, [207];
his Christianity loose and accommodative, [207];
objectionable interference with affairs of the Church, [207];
a pagan while favoring Christianity for political purposes, [214];
falsely praised by Eusebius, [214], [215];
his character not transformed by Christianity, [215];
was by no means a Christian emperor, [216];
his legislation touching Christianity was pagan, [217];
always remained pagan Pontifex Maximus, [217];
character of his Sunday edict, 321 A.D., [218] ff;
special worshipper of the Sun-god, [219];
favored Christianity from “policy,” and not from principle, [227];
made no effective legislation against paganism, [228];
established Sunday as a “market day,” [229];
how he placed the cross on his military standard, [244] f.
Creed, early Church had none, [33];
an elaborate one used at baptism, as shown in Apostolic Constitutions, [139].
Criticism, the higher, offers cure for false interpretation of Bible, [288] f;
together with study of Bible, is bringing the second stage of Protestant movement, [289];
ought to be fully applied to Bible, [290].
Cross, the, allegorically found in the O. T., [53], [54];
an ancient pagan symbol, [237] f;
known among Assyrians, Egyptians, Etruscans, etc., [239];
pagan origin of, shown in Edinburgh Review, [240];
how Constantine combined it on his military standard, [244], [245];
the “handled cross” the ancient phallic symbol of Egypt, [246];
sign of, used as a “charm,” [246] f;
the sign of, in baptism, [249];
made on all occasions, [250].
Cumbhacum, a sacred lake in Hindustan, [97].
Cyprian, condemns Christians who frequent public shows, [233];
extremely superstitious concerning baptismal regeneration, [252].
D
Dead, baptism for, of pagan origin, [83];
was transferred to Christianity, [84];
praying for, was borrowed from paganism, [275].
Decalogue, gnostic exposition of, by Clement of Alex., [60];
allegorically compared with man’s senses, [61];
Christ enforced obedience to it, [167], [168];
Paul declared it to be binding, [169];
if it be abolished there can be no sin, [170];
how it was perverted by gnostic exposition, [184].
Demi-gods, the pagan, were the progenitors of Christian “saints,” [16].
Demiurge, the, was creator of “matter” and author of evil, [48].
Devil, the, cast out by anointing one possessed, with oil, and tears of a presbyter, [261].
Diocletian, emperor, a devotee of the Sun-god, [200].
Diseases, miraculous curing of, in connection with baptism, [258] f.
Domville, Sir William, shows that early Sunday observance was not Sabbatic, [180].
Dyer, Thomas H., describes introduction of paganism into Christianity, [3].
E
Earth, sacred, from Jerusalem, cures paralysis, [260].
Easter, grew in part from Jewish passover, [279] f;
changed so as to coincide with festival of Goddess of Spring, [279] f;
primarily a Chaldean sun-worship festival, [280].
“Eighth Day,” pagan origin of argument for, [184], [185];
a day of “indulgence for the flesh,” [187].
Eleusis, city of, the chief seat of Greek “mysteries,” [117].
Elviri, synod of, condemned use of “lights” in cemeteries, [263].
Empire, the Roman, disintegrated under decay of pagan religion, [203] f.
Europe, Northern, pagan water-worship in, [98].
Eusebius, his dishonest eulogy of Constantine, [215].
Exorcism, used in baptism, [138];
resorted to in preparing “holy water,” [149].
F
Facts, denying does not remove them, [29].
Farrar, Canon, describes corruption of Christianity through syncretism, [22];
on Cyprian’s theories concerning baptism, [252].
“Fasts,” the pagan, transferred to Christianity, [26].
“Fathers,” the, were uncritical in exegesis of Scripture, [66], [67].
Fauchet, defends the introduction of paganism into Christianity, [8].
Festivals, those of pagans transferred to Christianity, [5], [28].
Fires, “Easter,” borrowed from sun-worship, [267];
described by Grimm, [268], [269];
“Midsummer,” a pagan festival identical with “St. John’s Day,” [270];
“Baal,” yet continued in Scotland, [271].
G
Gale, Theophilus, on pagan origin of “orientation,” [265].
Galerius, emperor, persecution of Christians by, and death of, [205].
Ganges, the most sacred stream in India, [88] f.
Geikie, Rev. Cunningham, shows union of sun-worship cultus with Christianity, [201].
Gibbon, Edward, describes sun-worship under Heliogabalus, [197] f;
recounts devotion of Aurelian to sun-worship, [199] f.
Gnostics, the link between Christianity and Greek culture, [37].
Gnosticism, the product of Oriental philosophy, [34];
effect on Jewish thought, [34];
claimed a hidden meaning in all things, [34], [35];
destroyed authority of the O. T. by false exegesis, [35];
permeated Greek philosophy, [35];
assailed infant Christianity, [36];
Schaff’s description of, [36], [37];
generally antinomian, [36];
“vulgarized” Christianity, and made it “worldly,” [37];
Baur’s description of, [38];
introduced allegory into N. T. exegesis, [40], [41];
sought a hidden meaning in N. T., [44];
applied numerical mysteries to the Psalms, [58];
widely spread in second century, [69];
complete supremacy would have annihilated Christianity, [69];
fundamentally antinomian, [159];
destructively applied to the Decalogue, [184].
Gould, S. Baring, describes pagan baptism in Scandinavia, [100];
on baptism among the ancient Greeks, [114].
Gratian, Emperor, edicts of, against paganism, inoperative, [212].
Greeks, named and “purified” children when seven days old, [102];
water-worship among, [112].
Greek thought, thoroughly permeated by gnosticism, [35].
Grimm, Jacob, on superstitions concerning water, [104];
on use of sacred water in Germany, [105], [106];
on “Easter fires” in Northern Europe, [268] f;
on “Midsummer fires,” [270];
on “Baal fires” in Scotland, [271].
H
Hall, Rev. E. E., on paganism in Roman Catholic Church, [208] f.
Hardwick, Rev. Charles, on the reproduction of paganism in early Christianity, [14].
Harnack, Prof. Adolph, on influence of gnosticism on Christianity, [37];
on the future of Protestantism, [288].
Hatch, Prof. Edwin, D.D., describes pagan elements in early methods of exegesis, [42];
on the rejection of O. T. by many Christians, [48];
describes effect of “Greek mysteries” on early Christianity, [119];
shows identity between the Eleusinian mysteries and Roman Catholic baptism, [122];
declares pagan origin of anointing in baptism, [123].
Heifer, the red, allegorically made a type of Christ, [49].
Heliogabalus, emperor, submitted to pagan baptism in blood, [83];
degraded character of, [197];
his costly offerings to the Sun-god, [198];
triumph of sun-worship at Rome under his reign, [199].
Herodotus, describes sun- and water-worship by Xerxes, [76].
Hippolytus, fanciful commentary on the Psalms, [57], [58].
Hislop, Rev. Alexander, on corruption of Christianity by pagan sun- and water-worship, [150];
describes pagan origin of “Mariolatry,” [274];
on “prayers for the dead,” [276];
on pagan origin of “Lent,” [281].
Holda, a German water-goddess, [107].
Holy water, pagans refused it to wrong-doers, [144];
magical virtues attributed to, [144];
catalogue of its effects, [145];
animals sprinkled with, [146];
Roman Catholics defend its use, [146] f;
methods of preparing, salt, ashes, and wine used, [148].
I
India, extent of water-worship in, [88] f.
Isis, extensively worshipped at Rome, [19].
J
Jairus, Gnostics made raising of his daughter a type of Achamoth, [45].
Jamblicus describes sacred fountains, [73], [74].
Janus, God of the Keys, and prototype of St. Peter, [277] f.
Jew, a paralytic, reported cured by means of baptism, [254];
an impostor detected by a miracle at baptism, [254].
Judaism, Christ enlarged and purified, without destroying, [31], [32];
strongly opposed by the pagan-bred “Fathers,” [165].
Justin, Martyr, educated a pagan philosopher, [44];
perverted the Scriptures by false exegesis, [54];
teaches much pagan error concerning baptism, [134], [135];
the first to teach anti-Sabbathism, and to tell of Sunday observance, [159], [178];
always partially pagan, [160];
no-Sabbathism taught in his “Dialogue with Trypho,” [161];
taught the abrogation of the Sabbath law, [162].
Juvenal, describes baptism of Roman prostitutes, [77].
K
Kabbalists, were Jewish gnostics, [81].
Keys, St. Peter’s, borrowed from pagan god Janus, [277] f.
Killen, Prof. W. D., shows that there was no paganism in the earliest Christianity, [20];
tells how baptism was corrupted by pagan influences, [21];
declares the incompetency of the “Fathers” as critics or exegetes, [67];
on character of Constantine, [206].
King, C. W., describes Mithraic baptism, [78-81];
on pagan baptism for the dead, [83];
on serpent worshippers, [85];
on Egyptian water-worship, [87].
L
Labor, prohibited on many pagan days besides Sunday, [225].
Lechler, G. V., shows the relative influence of paganism and Judaism on Christianity, [29].
“Lent,” originated in pagan fast, [280];
early character of, [281];
devoutly observed by many at present time, [281].
Lightfoot, Bishop, on the tendency to misjudge early history, [2].
“Lights,” use of in worship borrowed from pagans, [263].
Lord, Prof. John, on paganism in the early Church, [4].
M
Maitland, Dr. Charles, shows worship of martyrs borrowed from paganism, [15];
on pagan origin of “lights” in worship, [264].
Mallet, P. H., describes pagan baptism in Scandinavia, [99] f.
Mariolatry, pagan origin of, [273].
Martyr-worship, the product of paganism, [15].
“Mass,” the, derived from paganism, [274].
Maurer, Konrad, shows similarity between pagan and Christian baptism, [101] f.
Maurice, Rev. F. W., describes corrupted Christianity under Constantine, [210].
Merivale, Charles, on corruption of Christianity under Leo the Great, [23];
on Constantine’s relation to Christianity, [211] f;
on paganism under Gratian, [212].
Mexico, pagan baptism in, [109] f.
Middleton, Rev. Conyers, on paganism in the early Church, [11];
on pagan origin of “holy water,” [141] f.
Milman, Rev. H. H., describes Diocletian’s sun-worship, [200];
shows pagan character of first Sunday law, [223];
shows Constantine made little opposition to paganism, [228].
Miracles, reported as wrought through baptism, [253];
newly baptized persons reputed to work, [258] f.
Mirror, The Catholic, on paganism in Christianity, [286] f;
on inability of Protestantism to return to Bible alone, [287].
Mithraicism, extent of, in the second century, [19];
had ceremonies of purification, and a “holy table,” [119].
Monasticism, the product of Oriental paganism, [14].
Mongolia, pagan baptism in, [93].
Moses, his rod made a type of Christ, by allegory, [54-56].
“Mysteries,” the Greek, supposed to bring salvation, [117];
embodied confession, baptism, and sacrifices, [117] f;
did much to corrupt baptism and the Lord’s Supper, [120].
Müller, Prof. Max, paganism of first three Christian centuries, [11].
N
Nation, The, quoted on Teutonic baptism, pagan and Christian, [101].
Neale, E. V., shows non-Christian character of Constantine’s Sunday law, [224] f;
designates other pagan days with similar restrictions, [225].
Niebuhr, historian, shows that Constantine was not a Christian, [229].
Nile, the river, regarded as highly sacred by the Egyptians, [88].
O
“Orientation,” the product of pagan sun-worship, [157], [257];
defended by Clement of Alexandria, [266];
explained and defended by Tertullian, [267].
Osiris, regarded as the counterpart of Noah, [150].
Outlook, The, quotations from, [208], [285].
Ovid, describes water-worship and sun-worship at feast of “Pales,” [75];
describes water-worship at temple of “Themis,” [76];
describes Grecian baptism, [116];
describes god Janus, [277] f.
P
Pagans, many baptized without conversion, [24];
eminent ones as semi-Christians, [25].
Paganism, not found in Catholic Church alone, [3], [143];
some of its lowest forms mingled with Christianity, [6];
“Oriental,” in early Christianity, [6];
much, in Christianity before the “Papacy,” [18];
in “Alexandrian” Christianity, [22];
extent of, in early churches, [68];
customs of, continued under Christian names, [210];
employed various forms of baptism, [290];
opposed Sabbath-keeping, [293].
“Pales,” feast of, a combination of sun-worship and water-worship, [75].
Paul, observed and upheld “the law,” [169], [170].
Penance required for sins after baptism, [253];
demanded by pagan theory of “baptismal regeneration,” [272].
Persecution of Christians under Diocletian, [204].
Perseus satirizes the pagan use of spittle as a “charm,” [124].
Phallicism, associated with water-worship in India, [90];
a department of sun-worship, [157].
Philo blended Greek philosophy with O. T. exegesis, [40].
Phœnix, fable of, used as a type of man’s resurrection, [59].
Pilgrimages, made to sacred streams for salvation, [90].
“Pistis-Sophia,” the gnostic gospel, [78].
Pliny, the historian, describes virtue of spittle, and its use as a charm, [125] f.
Potter, Rev. John, D. D., describes Grecian water-worship and purifications, [112].
Poynder, John, quoted in “Pagano-Papismus,” [9].
Prescott describes Aztec baptism, [109].
Priestley, Dr. Joseph, on pagan origin of “holy water,” [141].
Protestants, do not understand their relation to Catholicism, [2];
work of, but fairly begun, [3].
Protestantism, an unconscious reaction against paganism in Christianity, [282] f;
has never wholly discarded “tradition,” [284];
must accept Bible wholly or be overcome, [285];
must act promptly to overcome loss already sustained, [285];
cannot survive except on purely Biblical basis, [288].
Psalms, “Fathers” made whole number of, a type of the “Trinity,” [57], [58];
meaning of, perverted by gnostic allegorizing, [65].
Purgatory, borrowed from paganism, [275].
Purification, Greeks sought, by dipping and sprinkling, [115].
Purity, spiritual, pagans sought, by bathing in sacred streams, [88] f.
R
Reformations begin when evils reach their lowest point, [283].
Regeneration, baptismal, [87].
“Relics,” faith in, borrowed from paganism, [235];
became widely spread in the Church, [236] f.
Religion, Roman, conception of, as a department of civil government, [190];
all forms recognised in Roman Empire, were regulated by civil law, [201].
Renan, Ernest, on Oriental paganism and Christianity, [18].
Residuum, pagan, minor forms of, in Christianity, [231].
Review, The Edinburgh, on pagan origin of the cross, [240].
Reville, Albert, on civil character of Roman religion, [192] f.
Rivers, confluence of, makes water sacred, [92];
banks of, sacred, [92].
Roman Catholic writers, honesty of, [7].
Romanized Christianity identical with paganized, [17].