Neo-Paganism - Barriers and bridges to Christian faith

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Pagan-Christian relations are crucial for the church. The relationship as it stands varies from antagonism to coexistence or a syncretistic blending of the two (Hoggart-Creegan). These are not options for the church. An examination of paganism will

inform the church of it weaknesses and help it to respond;
highlight the church's nonnegotiables and therefore its identity;
show the church where it is being misunderstood.

What most Christians fail to realise is that Wicca has something serious to say and indeed offers some significant theological challenges to the Church. Instead of dismissing Wicca as being devilish or humbug, Christians ought to take a first-hand look at what Wiccans advocate, At a very basic level, Wicca is a mirror in which we can see ourselves reflected for all the things we have neglected. (Johnson)

Philip Johnson believes that paganism, rightly understood, will have the same effect on the church as the early heresies - a (re)centering, positive effect - if we let it. We therefore ignore paganism to our peril. It was never easy being church in a rationalistic, modernistic world. Paganism reminds us of the need to be church in an age of spiritual searching. But to make paganism 'work' for the church we need to understand it. To understand it we need real dialogue. For dialogue to occur we need Christian apologists willing to enter into the pagan world.

Neo-Paganism - Holy days

Neo-Paganism: Barriers and bridges to dialogue

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