INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

      At first the “idea” of doing such a project was exciting.  But as pen was pressed to paper, the enormity of the task I set before myself began to sink in as daunting.  Though it was of my own choosing, and I revel in the learning experience; I only hope it will be profitable for others in the sharing of my discoveries.  For I ventured upon this work with an opened mind eager to accept whatever gems lay before me.  The daunting part came in how to share that material in a manner that was as “politically correct” as I could.  By that I mean not as a source of contention or for argumentation.  Yet, no matter the approach many will find offence either way in both camps.

   The intent of this work is not toward the conversion from either of the two communities: Christian or Pagan.  Rather it is intended as a beginning resource for understanding.  My hope is that this material may be used for shedding some light on the background in which the Biblical events played out.  The Judeo-Christian people lived among a plethora of deity worshiping nations.  But who were those nations, their gods, their beliefs and practices that the ancient Jews and early Christians lived among?  What was the major difference between the multiplicity of deities the ancient Pagans worshiped, and the single view of the Jews?  Relationship?  For starters, the pagans lived, feared, and personified the natural world.  Where as the Jews viewed the natural world as being wholly set apart from deity, and that deity was its sole creator.  Yet, Christians believed one step beyond the Jews in that, man could have a personal relationship with deity on an individual basis.
   This work will primarily focus upon the ancient Pagans through the lens of internal evidence of the Biblical text, and then expand that view with external historical evidence.  Keeping the focus within this context may prove more enlightening to the modern reader.  It is hoped that this material will lead some to investigate far more scholarly works.   May, both the modern Christian and Neo-Pagan find this effort beneficial, and become yet another resource among their growing library of knowledge.

   The reconstructionist view of Paganism today is growing by leaps and bounds; yet, it is based on the lives of our ancestors.  Likewise, the Judeo-Christian experience has developed far beyond its historical beginnings. Yet, it is these very modern expressions that are not the topic of discussion in this volume of work, nor are the relationships between those two communities.  May our growing understanding of the ancients foster a more accurate desire to be better descendants.