Early Christian Beliefs About Superstition and Pagan Religion

Mathetes, Epistle to Diognetus Direct teaching

I see thee, most excellent Diognetus, exceedingly desirous to learn the mode of worshipping God prevalent among the Christians, and inquiring very carefully and earnestly concerning them, what God they trust in, and what form of religion they observe, so as all to look down upon the world itself, and despise death, while they neither esteem those to be gods that are reckoned such by the Greeks, nor hold to the superstition of the Jews;

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Direct teaching

But someone may say, "He deserved our hatred because He drove religion out of the world, because He kept people from trying to honor the gods." Is He then called the destroyer of religion and the promoter of impiety, when He brought true religion into the world? He opened the gates of piety to people who were blind and truly living in impiety, and He showed them to whom they should bow down. Or is there any religion more true, more helpful, more powerful, and more right than this: to have learned to know the supreme God, and to know how to pray to God Most High, who alone is the source and fountain of all good? He is the creator, founder, and maker of all that continues to exist. By Him all things on earth and all things in heaven are given life and filled with the movement of life. Without Him, there would certainly be nothing that could bear any name or have any substance. But perhaps you doubt whether that ruler of whom we speak exists, and instead are more inclined to believe that Apollo, Diana, Mercury, and Mars exist. Give a true judgment. If anyone looks around at all these things that we see, he would sooner doubt whether all the other gods exist than hesitate about the God

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

But if in these matters any one were to imagine that it is superstition rather than wickedness which appears in the multitude of those who believe the word, and should charge our doctrine with making men superstitious, we shall answer him by saying that, as a certain legislator replied to the question of one who asked him whether he had enacted for his citizens the best laws, that he had not given them absolutely the best, but the best which they were capable of receiving;

Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen Direct teaching

Superstition, then, as was to be expected, having taken its rise thus, became the fountain of insensate wickedness;

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

Then he adds, "Worship this God not as the Greeks." He is clearly showing that the better Greeks worshiped the same God that we do, but they had not learned through full knowledge what was delivered by the Son. So he did not say, "Do not worship the God whom the Greeks worship." He said, "not as the Greeks," changing the way God is worshiped, not announcing another God. What, then, does the phrase "not as the Greeks" mean? Peter himself explains it when he adds: "Since they are carried away by ignorance and do not know God"—that is, not as we do, according to full knowledge—"but they shape the things He gave them power to use—wood and stones, bronze and iron, gold and silver, matter—and they set up the things that are slaves for use and possession, and worship them." And what God gave them for food—the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the creeping things of the earth, and the wild animals along with the four-footed cattle of the field, weasels and mice, cats and dogs and apes, and their own proper food—they offer as sacrifices to mortals. And by offering dead things to the dead, as if to gods, they are unthankful to God, denying His existence by these actions. And that it is

Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Direct teaching

For these are not gods, but idols, as we have already said, the works of men's hands and unclean demons.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

For, as they did not speak to the Gentiles in compliance with their notions, but told them with boldness that their gods were no gods, but the idols of demons;

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

...ey trouble them through men and persecute them by the hands of others. And if they admit that these demons exist, we have won. For the true religion must be the one that understands the nature of demons, understands their craftiness, and compels them, once conquered and subdued, to yield to it. If they deny it, they will be refuted by the testimony of poets and philosophers. But if they do not deny the existence and malice of demons, what remains except for them to say that there is a difference between gods and demons? Let them then explain to us the difference between the two kinds, so that we may know what should be worshiped and what should be held in execration, and whether they agree with each other or are truly opposed to one another. If they are joined together by some necessity, how shall we distinguish them? Or how shall we join the honor and worship of each kind? But if, on the other hand, they are enemies, why is it that the demons do not fear the gods, or that the gods cannot drive away the demons? Look, someone stirred by the impulse of a demon is out of his senses, raving, and mad. Let us lead him into the temple of the excellent and mighty Jupiter, or, since Jupi

Tertullian, On Idolatry Direct teaching

...e the flavor of opposition to God, and anything that has the flavor of opposition to God belongs to demons and unclean spirits, whose property idols are, then without doubt whoever commits a sin is chargeable with idolatry. For he does what belongs to the owners of idols.

Minucius Felix, Octavius Direct teaching

...parate others from God by bringing in degraded superstitions. The poets know that those spirits are demons. The philosophers speak of them. Socrates knew it too. At the nod and decision of a demon beside him, he either declined actions or undertook them. The Magi also not only know that there are demons, but whatever miracle they claim to perform, they do it by means of demons. By their aspirations and communications, they display their wondrous tricks, making things appear which are not, or making things not appear which are. Of those magicians, Sosthenes, first both in eloquence and in deed, not only describes the true God with fitting majesty, but also the angels who are the ministers and messengers of the true God. And he knew that it enhanced His veneration, that they trembled in awe at the very nod and glance of their Lord. The same man also declared that demons were earthly, wandering, and hostile to humanity. What did Plato say, he who believed that finding God was difficult? Does he not also plainly speak of both angels and demons? And in his Symposium, does he not also try to explain the nature of demons? For he says that a demon is a substance between mortal and immor

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

..., namely, that it is wrong for those who have dedicated themselves to the Most High God to eat with demons. We have already seen what he brings forward against this view. In our opinion, a man can only be said to eat and drink with demons when he eats the flesh of what are called sacred victims, and when he drinks the wine poured out to the honor of the demons. But Celsus thinks that we cannot eat bread or drink wine in any way whatever, or taste fruits, or even take a draught of water, without eating and drinking with demons. He also adds that the air we breathe is received from demons, and that not even an animal can breathe without receiving air from the demons appointed over the air. If anyone wishes to defend this statement of Celsus, let him show that it is not the divine angels of God, but demons, whose whole race is evil, that have been appointed to communicate all those blessings that have been mentioned. We also maintain, with regard not only to the fruits of the earth, but to every flowing stream and every breath of air, that the ground brings forth those things which are said to grow naturally, that water springs in fountains and refreshes the earth with running stre

Tertullian, On Idolatry Direct teaching

...t this kind of ceremony also? If it is an honor to an idol, then without doubt, honoring an idol is idolatry. If it is for the sake of a man, let us again consider that all idolatry is for the sake of man. Let us again consider that all idolatry is worship offered to men, since even their worshippers generally agree that the gods of the nations were once men. So it makes no difference whether that superstitious honor is given to men from an earlier time or from our own time. Idolatry is condemned, not because of the persons set up for worship, but because of its practices, which belong to demons. The things that are Caesar's are to be given to Caesar. It is enough that He added, "and to God the things that are God's." What things, then, are Caesar's? Clearly, the things being discussed at that time, whether the poll tax should be paid to Caesar or not. So the Lord asked for the coin to be shown to Him, and asked whose image was on it. When He heard that it was Caesar's, He said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." That is, give to Caesar the image of Caesar, which is on the coin, and give to God the image of God, which is on man

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Direct teaching

...e the accusations made against us. Instead, driven by unreasoning passion and the influence of evil demons, you punish us without consideration or judgment. For the truth must be told: since ancient times, these evil demons, creating apparitions of themselves, defiled women, corrupted boys, and showed such terrifying sights to men that those who did not use reason to judge their actions were struck with terror. Carried away by fear and unaware that these were demons, they called them gods and gave each demon the name it chose for itself. When Socrates tried, through true reason and examination, to expose these truths and free men from the demons, the demons themselves, using men who delighted in iniquity, orchestrated his death, branding him an atheist and a profane person on the charge that "he was introducing new divinities." In our case, they show similar intent. For not only among the Greeks did reason (Logos) prevail to condemn these things through Socrates, but also among the Barbarians were they condemned by Reason (or the Word, the Logos) Himself, who took shape, became man, and was called Jesus Christ. In obedience to Him, we not only deny that those who did such things

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

After saying so much about demons, and about their love for blood and the smell of sacrifices, Celsus adds, as if he wanted to take back the charge he had made: “The more just opinion is that demons desire nothing and need nothing, but that they take pleasure in those who perform acts of piety toward them.” If Celsus believed this was true, he should have said so instead of making his earlier statements. But indeed, human nature is never completely forsaken by God and His only-begotten Son, the Truth. Therefore even Celsus spoke the truth when he made the demons take pleasure in the blood and smoke of sacrifices. Although, by the force of his own evil nature, he falls back into his errors, and compares demons with men who strictly perform every duty, even to those who show no gratitude, while to those who are grateful they abound in acts of kindness. Here Celsus seems to me to get into confusion. At one time his judgment is darkened by the influence of demons, and at another he recovers from their deluding power, and gets some glimpses of the truth. For again he adds: “We must never in any way lose our hold of God, whether by day or by night, whether in public or in secret, whether

Tertullian, On Idolatry Supporting witness

Idolatry is condemned, not on account of the persons which are set up for worship, but on account of those its observances, which pertain to demons.

1 Corinthians 10:20 Direct teaching

Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.

1 Corinthians 10:21 Direct teaching

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

Deuteronomy 32:17 Supporting witness

They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

...e of the gods, he speaks in this way: “For not only philosophers, but our ancestors also, separated superstition from religion. For those who spent whole days in prayers and sacrifices, so that their children might outlive them, were called superstitious. But those who went over again, and as it were carefully gathered, all things that related to the worship of the gods, were called religious from carefully gathering, just as some were called elegant from choosing out, and diligent from carefully selecting, and intelligent from understanding. For in all these words there is the same meaning of gathering that there is in the word religious. Thus it has come to pass that in the names superstitious and religious, the one refers to a fault, the other belongs to praise.” How senseless this explanation is, we can know from the matter itself. For if both religion and superstition are occupied with the worship of the same gods, there is little difference between them, or rather none at all. For what reason will he give for thinking that to pray once for the health of sons is the part of a religious man, but to do the same thing ten times is the part of a superstitious man? For if it is

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

For if both religion and superstition are engaged in the worship of the same gods, there is little or rather no difference between them.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

What, then, is it? Truly religion is the cultivation of the truth, but superstition of that which is false.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

Superstition is indeed perturbation of mind; being the fear of demons, that produce and are subject to the excitement of passion.

Tertullian, On Prayer Supporting witness

For matters of this kind belong not to religion, but to superstition, being studied, and forced, and of curious rather than rational ceremony;

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

For what cause will he allege why he should think that to pray once for the health of sons is the part of a religious man, but to do the same ten times is the part of a superstitious man?

Tertullian, On Fasting Supporting witness

out of religion that superstition is compacted. Hence you are more irreligious, in proportion as a heathen is more conformable.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Stay away from all pagan books. What do you have to do with such foreign teachings, laws, or false prophets that overthrow the faith of unstable people? What lack do you find in the law of God, that you should turn to those pagan fables? If you want to read history, you have the books of the Kings. If you want books of wisdom or poetry, you have the books of the Prophets, Job, and Proverbs. In them you will find greater depth of understanding than in all the pagan poets and sophists, because these are the words of the Lord, the only wise God. If you want something to sing, you have the Psalms. If you want the origin of things, you have Genesis. If you want laws and statutes, you have the glorious law of the Lord God. Therefore, completely stay away from all strange and diabolical books. No, when you read the law, do not think that you are required to keep the added precepts, if not all of them, then even some of them. Read those only for the sake of history, so that you may know them and glorify God that He has delivered you from so great and so many bonds. Aim to distinguish which rules came from the law of nature, and which were added afterward, or were additional rules introduce

Minucius Felix, Octavius Direct teaching

Chapter 38. Argument: Christians Abstain from Things Connected with Idol Sacrifices, Lest Any One Should Think Either that They Yield to Demons, or that They are Ashamed of Their Religion.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

...een are people who truly were faithful. But after they gained wealth and became important among the heathen, they dressed themselves in great pride and became arrogant. They abandoned the truth and did not hold fast to the righteous, but lived with the heathen, and this way of life became more pleasing to them. However, they did not depart from God, but remained in the faith, although they were not doing the works of faith. Many of them, therefore, repented, and their dwelling was in the tower. Others kept living with the heathen until the end and were corrupted by their empty glory. They departed from God, serving the works and deeds of the heathen. These were counted with the heathen. But some of them hesitated, because they did not hope to be saved on account of the deeds they had done. Others were in doubt and caused divisions among themselves. Therefore, for those who were in doubt because of their deeds, repentance is still open. But their repentance ought to be quick, so that their dwelling may be in the tower. And for those who do not repent, but remain in their pleasures, death is near.

Tertullian, Apology Direct teaching

...an obstinate refusal to offer sacrifices, he found in their religious services nothing but meetings early in the morning for singing hymns to Christ and God, and sealing their way of life by a united pledge to remain faithful to their religion, forbidding murder, adultery, dishonesty, and other crimes. In reply, Trajan wrote back that Christians were by no means to be sought out. But if they were brought before him, they should be punished. O miserable deliverance. Under the necessities of the case, it is a self-contradiction. It forbids them to be sought out, as innocent, and it commands them to be punished, as guilty. It is at once merciful and cruel. It passes by, and it punishes. Why do you play this game of evasion with yourself, O Judgment? If you condemn, why do you not also inquire? If you do not inquire, why do you not also absolve? Military stations are set throughout all the provinces for tracking robbers. Against traitors and public enemies every man is a soldier. Search is made even for their confederates and accessories. The Christian alone must not be sought, though he may be brought and accused before the judge, as if a search had any other end than that! And so

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

...h sides, or envy us because we have chosen truth over falsehood? But, they say, the public rites of religion must be defended. Oh, with what honorable zeal these miserable men go astray! They know that nothing among men is more excellent than religion, and that it ought to be defended with all our power. But just as they are deceived about religion itself, so they are also deceived about the way it should be defended. Religion must be defended not by killing, but by dying; not by cruelty, but by patient endurance; not by guilt, but by good faith. The first belong to evils, but the second to goods. What is good must have a place in religion, not what is evil. For if you want to defend religion by bloodshed, tortures, and guilt, it will no longer be defended, but polluted and profaned. For nothing depends so much on free will as religion. If the mind of the worshiper is unwilling, religion is immediately taken away and ceases to exist. Therefore, the right way is to defend religion by patient endurance or by death. In this, preserving the faith is pleasing to God Himself and also gives authority to religion. For if a man in earthly warfare keeps faith with his king in some notable

Acts 21:25 Supporting witness

But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

Colossians 2:8 Supporting witness

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

1 John 5:21 Supporting witness

Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

1 Corinthians 10:14 Supporting witness

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.