Assimilation of pagan elements into Christian worship

Abstract

Judaic background is a topic that is discussed quite regularly, but in contrast, we as Christians rarely tend to discuss the influences that Pagan worship has left upon the Christian worship. Throughout time, the Church has changed it's stance many times - if at first, it feared similarities with certain Pagan characteristics, eventually, the Church arrived at a level of maturity, assuming unto itself those very same characteristics. Behind the Church's actions lies It's missionary and pastoral calling. In the following article, starting from certain concrete cases, specifically elements of the Church assumed by the Church but drawing from Pagan origins, we will deduce the elemental principles by which the Church guided Itself when assuming concepts from foreign religious sphere of influence.

Keywords

• christian worship
• pagan worship
• missionary calling
• worship space
• worship time