What is a Pagan

[Dor]

Originally Posted by Marietta

Greetings Quaham1, My point was not in saying that Christians are Pagan and not in saying that Gentiles are Pagan. It was in saying that the Hebrew and Greek words that have been translated into Pagan are a mistranslation and should read Gentile. I was not placing any judgment on either the word Pagan or the word Gentile. I was simply showing a place in the text where a word has been mistranslated and should read Gentile. Now if the person doing the translation of the text have developed the opinion that all Gentiles were Pagan than this translator may have transposed the proper word Gentile for the word he associated with the Gentiles.
Love and Light, Marietta

When a word has more than one defintion you have to translate things in context.

[Marietta]

Hello Dor, Neither the Hebrew word Goy or the Greek word Ethne mean Pagan no matter the context of the sentence.

According to the Etymological dictionary of the Hebrew language:
Goy: body, an irreligious Jew, Gentile, nation, people

From Fiberg Lexicon: Ehtne:
nation, people, gentile, foreigners

Love and Light, Marietta

[Marietta]

A Gentile is anybody who does not practice the Abrahamic faith. I guess the term Pagan was coined as a means of applying this defination.
Love and Light, Marietta

[flowperson]

This is an issue that goes way back in ancient cultural roots. Keep in mind that the semitic tribes were originally nomadic people who lived off the land and moved about with their herds and flocks to seek sustenance. Over several centuries about three thousand years ago they gradually adopted "living in place" lifestyles, and adopted worship practices that gave praise and adulation to an all powerful G-d that was hidden, was in control of reality, and that meted out forgiveness and punishment in a balanced manner according to laws found in books, and which had their origins in oral mythical traditions.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the Abrahamic religions, all sprang forth from these origins. The term "gentile" really referred to the "others" who did not believe as did the semitic tribes, and usually lived in settled communities and walled urban states which were supported in the main through trade activities and agricultural production. This was also the case in late neolithic and early metal age communities in what is now western Europe, not to mention much of Asia and North America.

So I see the term "gentile" as an exclusionary label used by these people to label those who were not a part of their cultural tradition. And, in the main, the "others" who were excluded and labelled "gentile" were those who mostly lived in the world of settled agriculture and trade... and who mostly engaged in idol-based worship practices that had sprung from agricultural rituals and beliefs based in the fertility and cyclic features of nature in general.

Do not forget either that Genesis teaches us that Abram's father was an idol maker in UR before he was called out into the country to wander as a nomad and founded the Abrahamic beliefs that we all... Christians, Jews, and Muslims practice to this day...with some modifications of course.

flow....

[Faithfulservant]

Originally Posted by Marietta

Faithfulservent,
Some food for thought that go along with the scriptures you quoted: Jesus said that the path that leads to heaven is the narrow path and only a few will find it and that many would call on upon his name but he would say depart from me you practiced iniquity. In another verse (IN Luke) Jesus says my flock is the little flock.
This makes one wonder? Christianity is the LARGEST organized religion in the world which surly isn't the small flock Jesus spoke of and the path is narrow and only a few will find it and so on and so on. Food for thought!
Love and Light, Marietta

You had posted:After reading some of the stuff you've posted on this board... This is what my scriptures tell me about your "beliefs"

Yep you can also go read Christs letters to the Laodiceans and Philadelphians.. Its pretty clear there also.. I know which one I am...Do you?

14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' "

7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." '

[Faithfulservant]

Originally Posted by Marietta

A Gentile is anybody who does not practice the Abrahamic faith. I guess the term Pagan was coined as a means of applying this defination.
Love and Light, Marietta

Thats not true either.. we are still gentiles... but spiritually we are the descendents of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. We DO practice the Abrahamic faith we just realize that the Messiah has come whereas Jews dont. Yet.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Marietta

Greetings Quaham1, My point was not in saying that Christians are Pagan and not in saying that Gentiles are Pagan. It was in saying that the Hebrew and Greek words that have been translated into Pagan are a mistranslation and should read Gentile. I was not placing any judgment on either the word Pagan or the word Gentile. I was simply showing a place in the text where a word has been mistranslated and should read Gentile. Now if the person doing the translation of the text have developed the opinion that all Gentiles were Pagan than this translator may have transposed the proper word Gentile for the word he associated with the Gentiles.
Love and Light, Marietta

But then, you imply that the Bible is in error...But we are told the Word of God is not in error...I think that is called a conundrum...

[Dor]

Originally Posted by Marietta

According to the bible a Pagan is a Gentile. Look up any scripture that contains the word Pagan check a Greek or Hebrew dictionary and see for yourself.
Love and Light, Marietta

Actually can you show me anywhere my Bible even has the word Pagan in it?
Cause try as I might on my computer software and every online bible I checked when I do a word search.
My KJV shows no matchs for Pagan.