What does the Bible say about syncretism?
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Asked June 26 2018
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Gregory Jones
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Tim Maas
As I understand it, syncretism is based on the assumption that no one religion or belief system possesses ultimate truth. Syncretism is therefore an effort to combine aspects of differing belief systems in order to arrive at a blended system that reflects all of them, and that is superior to any of them by virtue of being closer than any one of them to ultimate truth. This would be incompatible with Christianity, based on the words of Jesus, who referred to Himself as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), without reference to any other religious figure or belief. Syncretism can also refer to an effort to "adapt" Christianity to non-Christian cultures by incorporating aspects or practices of existing local non-Christian religions, in order to make Christianity more acceptable to the indigenous population. However, the population's former pagan beliefs often do not really change; Christian symbols and rituals are just substituted for the symbols associated with their former animistic beliefs. Over time, this results in the practice of genuine Christianity becoming corrupted. More recently, religious syncretism can be seen in such religious systems as the New Age, Hinduism, Unitarianism, and Christian Science. These religions are a blending of multiple different belief systems, and are continually evolving as the philosophies of mankind rise and fall in popularity. This points up the central flaw of syncretism -- that of being based on the whims and decisions of humans, rather than on revelation from God.
Jack Gutknecht
In 2 Kings 17:40 the narrative about Israel (Samaria) closes with a tragic comment about syncretistic worship, indicating that it became the norm for everyone in Israel, across generations. 2 Kings 17:40f reads thusly: 40 "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner." 41 "So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day." Faithlife Study Bible The absoluteness of Jesus’ claim is unambiguous. John 14:6 leaves no room for relativistic or pluralistic thinking. This is also reflected by the use of ἀλήθεια, which is always singular and never plural in the Gospel of John. It connects to the fact that God is a person (singular), who embodies absolute truth. Borchert concludes: Any hint at universalism, syncretistic patterns of salvation, or reaching the Father through any other means than Jesus is here completely eliminated. The issue of Johannine exclusivism is therefore placed squarely before the reader. Bastian Ogon
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