🍎Repost: Special Edition: A Trick, No Treat

*Synopsis: The pre-Christian ancient world had both monotheistic and polytheistic religions. As the early Christian faith traveled from ancient Jerusalem to nearby lands in East Africa, the Mediterranean, and Western Asia (the Middle East), more people began to adopt the faith. Many divorced their indigenous spiritual beliefs. The practice of the Christian faith does not permit polytheism or idolatry for believers.

Neo-Paganism appears to be on the rise and there are some general practices that Christians should be aware of. First, the U.S. Constitution guarantees each person the right to freedom of religion or belief. However, this protection does not mean a person’s conduct is free from being scrutinized. There are allegations that cult groups with foreign roots are deceptively infiltrating U.S. Christian churches. Believers must also consider the use of non-Biblical sources as methods of potential indoctrination and take dominion with the tools of spiritual warfare. Hopefully, by addressing these topics some light will be shed on the tactics and deceptions of Satan the enemy. Therefore, allowing us to recognize these tricks as no treat.

*Reposted article. First published in October 2023.

A Trick, No Treat

The world is a diverse place of different religions and spiritual beliefs. Many ancient nations had their own indigenous spiritual practices such as, the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. The pre-Christian ancient world had both monotheistic and polytheistic religious traditions. Monotheistic religions could be found among the Hebrews, Zoroastrians, and Dacians. Whereas, the Greeks, Romans, and Babylonians practiced polytheism.

As the early Christian faith traveled from ancient Jerusalem to nearby lands in East Africa, the Mediterranean, and Western Asia (the Middle East), more people began to adopt the faith and divorced their indigenous spiritual beliefs. Even the polytheistic Romans later converted to Christianity. Many Romans no longer engaged in the indigenous spiritual practices that were once the cultural norm.  

As a student of world religions, I recognize both the ancient and modern world has various religions and spiritual beliefs. The U.S. Constitution guarantees each person the right to freedom of religion or belief. However, this protection does not mean a person’s conduct is free from being scrutinized. This article will address three main topics: 1.) Allegations of cult groups in the church body,  2.) Non-Biblical Sources, and 3.) The movie Divination (2011, PG-13). The Christian worldview will be used to address these topics.

Pastor Alexander Pagani of Amazing Church (Bronx, New York) alleges a false church and cult attempted to infiltrate his congregation. He claims this U.S. based church, with roots in South Korea, deceptively uses its African-American and Latino members, not its Asian members, to recruit in minority communities. According to Pastor Pagani: “You might laugh, because you say no one would dare follow an Asian, ain’t none of us Asian. It’s followers in New York are not Asian, they are Latino and Black. And guess what? Because we are so disenfranchised as a people, they are the most hardest workers, trying to prove, you ain’t ready for me. So, they came every Wednesday and my spirit said something is off with this group” (time-stamp 1:20).¹   

A woman in his congregation gave her testimony about feelings of church hurt and her interaction with the group: “Let me tell you something, these people are militant. Just because they are females, don’t get it twisted, because they operate like men” (time-stamp 11:00). “What religion you claim to follow?…I noticed it. They mix all the religions together. They put out their own religion and they want to stuff it down your throat” (time-stamp 11:52).²  

Pastor Pagani publicly denounced the group as preaching false doctrine and made them aware not to proselytize in his church. He warns other pastors about the conduct of this group (see video below). It is important to note, some religions or spiritual beliefs on the surface can appear to be similar. But a deeper look often reveals distinct differences. An attempt to blend these similarities, without recognition of their differences, can pose a religious contradiction or philosophical quandary. For example, biblical scripture does not permit divination, omens, or witchcraft (see Deuteronomy 18:10 KJV). 

Neo-Paganism also appears to be on the rise and there are some general practices that Christians should be aware of. There are subgroups within this belief system, such as those based on ancestral origins, ethnicity, or racial identity. Christian believers must take consideration that a celebration of culture does not become idolatry based on skin color or ethnic origins. This type of ancestral idolatry has the potential to push a destructive socio-political agenda to snare vulnerable populations into a trap. Be cautious when the appreciation of ethnic or racial heritage moves from a celebration of culture into the idolatry of it.  

Recognize when sources other than the Bible are being used in a spiritual belief system. For example, the “Serpent Seed” fringe doctrine claims a physical union occurred between Satan and Eve that created Cain. Therefore, a “cursed genetics” ancestral lineage was birthed into existence. I do not subscribe to this doctrine. This questionable doctrine is not found in the Bible. Instead, it is linked to ancient Jewish and Christian sources and is a point of debate among some theologians. The Bible speaks on the conception and birth of Cain. Genesis 4:1 KJV: “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.” Furthermore, the Lord Almighty confronts Cain about his crime and puts a mark of protection on him to prevent retribution. Genesis 4:15 KJV: “And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.” 

The Apocrypha can be another point of debate. Generally, the apocryphal texts are more common in Roman Catholic and Ethiopian Bible canons, in contrast to other Christian based denominations of the Protestant tradition (e.g. Baptist denomination). Protestants typically (not absolutely) have no exposure to the apocrypha. However, I do read apocryphal texts with a healthy amount of skepticism until further research is conducted. First, check the apocryphal text against Biblical scripture, how does it hold up? To read my book review: Great Women of the Apocrypha: Susanna (July 2021 Edition) click here.

For the purpose of skepticism, examine the term Apocrypha as defined by encyclopedia Britannica.com:

Apocrypha ( from the Greek apokryptein,“to hide away”), in biblical literature, works outside an accepted canon of scripture. The history of the term’s usage indicates that it referred to a body of esoteric writings that were at first prized, later tolerated, and finally excluded. In its broadest sense apocrypha has come to mean any writings of dubious authority.³

Finally, the movie Divination (2011, PG-13) starring D’angelo Midili and Natasha Sims, is a spiritual warfare thriller. A married couple, Jason and Jessica, are ready to start a family. But soon feelings of fear begin to invade their lives and home. This is a good movie to watch as it has some Christian faith principles and illustrates spiritual warfare. It also includes knowledge about spiritual gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 KJV).

I will point out one critique of the movie that involves the use of blood. The Christian faith recognizes that Jesus the Christ already shed his blood for us. Your redemption has been paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus. Therefore, no further blood sacrifice is required on our part. Not the blood of others and not your own blood. It is familiar spirits or demons who request blood covenants with human recruits to seal malevolent supernatural bargains.

The tools of our spiritual warfare include: calling on the name of the Lord Almighty, prayer, faith, fasting, study of the Bible, worship, and repentance. And for some Christian denominations the use of anointing oil. But not your blood. Your redemption has already been paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus. However, you must choose Jesus as your Lord and savior, and walk the path of his teachings of your own free will.

The movie provides a good representation of spiritual warfare in our midst. Satan and his army of the fallen, challenged the authority of the Lord Almighty and failed. They seek revenge through the torment of the children of the Most High. It’s an attempt to continue their failed coup and get an audience with the Lord. To put it in modern terms, Satan and his minions are haters who fear the Lord, but will fight his kids. They have studied humanity over thousands of years and are crafty and deceptive in their tactics. But remember, you have an advocate with the father in Jesus, the unison of the Lord Almighty.

Hopefully, by addressing these topics some light will be shed on the tactics and deceptions of Satan the enemy. Therefore, allowing us to recognize these tricks as no treat.

Bibliography

( 1, 2 ) “Pagani Publicly Denounces & Embarrasses Cult” YouTube video, 13:49. “Alexander Pagani Ministries,” February 6, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcLiJcg6TQ

( 3 ) “Apocrypha.” Britannica.com. Accessed December 24, 2019.  https://www.britannica.com/topic/apocrypha

*Notice: This updated repost article “A Trick, No Treat” was first published in October 2023, to view click here.

💖For Additional Reading (3)

1.) Got Questions: How were Pharaoh’s magicians able to perform miracles?

https://www.gotquestions.org/Pharaohs-magicians-miracles.html

2.) Got Questions: Who was the Ethiopian eunuch?

https://www.gotquestions.org/Ethiopian-eunuch.html

3.) Table Talk Magazine: Should Protestants Read the Apocrypha?

Should Protestants Read the Apocrypha?

Videos (5)