Topical Bible: The Heathen: Worshippers of the Devil

◄ The Heathen: Worshippers of the Devil ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "heathen" often refers to those who do not worship the God of Israel and are outside the covenant community. Throughout Scripture, heathen nations are frequently depicted as engaging in idolatry and practices that are contrary to the worship of Yahweh. From a conservative Christian perspective, these practices are often seen as tantamount to worshipping the devil, as they involve the veneration of false gods and idols, which are considered to be under the influence of demonic forces.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly warned against adopting the practices of the heathen nations surrounding them. These nations are often described as engaging in idolatry, which is equated with the worship of demons. For instance, in Deuteronomy 32:17, it is stated, "They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear." This verse highlights the belief that the idols worshipped by the heathen are not merely lifeless objects but are associated with demonic entities.

The prophets frequently condemned the Israelites for falling into the idolatrous practices of the heathen. In Jeremiah 10:2, the Lord instructs, "Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them." This warning underscores the danger of adopting heathen practices, which are seen as leading the people away from the true worship of God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul addresses the issue of idolatry and its connection to demonic worship. In 1 Corinthians 10:20, Paul writes, "No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons." Here, Paul explicitly links the worship practices of the heathen to demonic activity, warning Christians to avoid any association with such practices.

The New Testament also emphasizes the spiritual battle between the forces of God and the forces of evil, with Satan being the chief adversary. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the belief that behind the visible practices of heathen worship lies a spiritual reality that is opposed to God.

Heathen Practices and Christian Response

Throughout history, Christian missionaries have often encountered heathen practices that they interpret as being influenced by demonic forces. The response has typically been to preach the gospel, urging conversion to Christianity and the abandonment of idolatry. The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, calls Christians to "go and make disciples of all nations," which includes turning people away from heathen practices and towards the worship of the one true God.

The Bible consistently portrays the worship of idols and false gods as a serious offense against God, equating it with spiritual adultery. The call to separate from heathen practices is a recurring theme, urging believers to remain faithful to God and resist the temptations of idolatry and demonic influence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 10:20
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Clementine Homilies
... Chapter VIII.--Wiles of the Devil. Chapter IX.--Uncertainty of the Scriptures. ...
Chapter XV.--Heathen Worshippers Under the Power of the Demon. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the clementine homilies/

"And we Will --"
... See the worshippers of the race horse, as, whipped and ... they should go back to the
assemblies of the heathen? ... Most of those who serve the devil mean to forsake ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xii and we will.htm

Psalm LXXIV.
... What is this but that the worshippers of the devil ... now how that with these bitings
the devil is being ... when angry with his servant, even a heathen, would not ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiv.htm

Let These Dealers in Crowns Then Recognize in the Meantime the ...
... as, according to the last chapter, worshippers of the ... literature, for things belonging
to the heathen must be ... If the devil, a liar from the beginning, is even ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter vii let these dealers.htm

Amaziah
... Israel and their king had fallen away from God, and become heathen people, worshippers
of Baal ... I am not sure, even, that the devil was the author of them. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/amaziah.htm

The Second Commandment
... They were mingled among the heathen, and served their idols.' Psalm 106 ... Senesius
calls the devil a rejoicer at idols, because the image-worshippers help to ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

Psalm CXV.
... in another passage of Scripture concerning the worshippers of images ... sort, judge
of the idols of the heathen, so to ... neither worship an idol, nor a devil; but in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxv.htm

Why Man is of Two Sexes; what is his First Death, and what the ...
... is from the earth and the devil, to obey. ... removed death, recall righteous men, His
worshippers, to the ... necessary to remove ambiguity from the heathen, to whom ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiii why man is of.htm

Christian Worship,
... against sin, the world, and the devil, and to ... came into it, bringing their old heathen
notions with ... sorrow, many of the ignorant were "worshippers of pictures ...
/.../chapter xviii christian worship.htm

A Caution against Bigotry
... 2. For the devil is not to be considered only as "a ... The god of this world holds his
English worshippers full as ... were in the most refined of the heathen nations ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 38 a caution against.htm