Neopaganism is a modern religious movement that seeks to revive ancient pagan beliefs and practices. While Neopaganism takes many forms, common themes include reverence for nature, goddess worship, use of ritual and magic, and emphasis on self-spirituality. The Bible does not directly address Neopagan beliefs, as these developed long after biblical times. However, there are some key biblical principles that provide insight into a Christian perspective on Neopaganism.
Biblical Perspective on Pagan Idolatry and Nature Worship
A core aspect of Neopagan practice is reverence and worship of nature, embodied in goddesses representing natural forces and phenomena. However, the Bible clearly prohibits worship of anyone or anything other than the one true God. Exodus 20:3 states, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Throughout the Old Testament, idolatry is condemned and punished. Deuteronomy 4:19 warns against worshipping “the sun and the moon and the stars.” While appreciating nature is not wrong in itself, ascribing divine status to nature and worshipping it is considered idolatry from a biblical viewpoint.
The Bible also teaches that nature is part of God’s good creation (Genesis 1:31), but is not divine in itself. Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Nature glorifies God, but is not to be worshipped. Neopagan veneration of nature and goddesses representing natural forces conflicts with the Bible’s teaching that these are part of God’s creation, not divine beings worthy of worship.
Biblical View of Magic, Divination, and Occult Practices
Another key element of Neopaganism involves use of magic, spells, divination, and occult practices to tap into spiritual forces. However, the Bible strongly prohibits these activities. Passages like Deuteronomy 18:10-12 forbid practices like witchcraft, sorcery, interpreting omens, witchcraft, casting spells, and necromancy (communicating with the dead). The reasons given include that these practices rely on sources other than God and often aim to manipulate spiritual forces against God’s will.
The New Testament also condemns magical arts and sorcery. Acts 19:19 records new believers voluntarily burning materials related to sorcery. Revelation 21:8 puts those who practice magic arts together with the sexually immoral, idolaters, and liars who face exclusion from God’s kingdom. From a biblical perspective, the use of magical rituals and divination techniques reflects a desire to control outcomes apart from reliance on God, which conflicts with biblical teaching to trust in God’s sovereign will.
Neopagan Focus on Self-Empowerment Versus Reliance on God
A core emphasis in Neopaganism is seeking empowerment, knowledge, and experiences through one’s own efforts to tap into the divine within. However, the Bible presents a different view. Humanity’s fundamental problem according to the Bible is sin, which has separated people from God (Isaiah 59:2). Self-help and spiritual enlightenment are insufficient to bridge this gap. Jesus makes the exclusivity claim that “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Rather than looking within, the Bible directs us to look to God. 1 Chronicles 16:11 commands to “seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” Jesus says the first and greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). The focus is on developing a relationship with God through Christ, not seeking divinity within oneself. This contradicts Neopagan emphasis on self-empowerment and realizing one’s own divine nature.
Neopagan Sexuality Versus Biblical Standards of Sexual Morality
Neopaganism often embraces sexual liberation and LGBTQ+ identities as part of honoring the natural self and the diversity of human expression. However, the Bible presents standards for sexual ethics according to God’s design and intent for sexuality. Passages like Romans 1:26-27 indicate homosexual behavior is sinful and “contrary to nature.” God’s plan at creation was for one man and woman to unite in marriage (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6).
While having attractions or orientation contrary to God’s design for sexuality is not in itself sinful, the Bible prohibits acting upon those desires. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 commands avoiding sexual immorality and controlling one’s own body in holiness and honor. 1 Corinthians 6:18 tells believers to “flee from sexual immorality.” Thus, from a biblical perspective, Neopagan views on sexuality stray from God’s design and standards of moral purity in this area of life.
Incompatible Views on the Nature of Spiritual Forces
Where Neopaganism sees myriad spiritual forces tied to nature that can be harnessed through ritual magic, the Bible presents a different reality. There is only one true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4), who created everything, including the spiritual realm. This realm includes God’s angels, as well as the devil and demons opposed to God. Demons are fallen angels who rebelled against God (2 Peter 2:4). The devil seeks to deceive people into following other spiritual paths outside of allegiance to the true God (1 Peter 5:8, John 8:44).
The Bible forbids attempting to channel or gain power from any spiritual forces other than God himself. Deuteronomy 18:14 warns, “those nations you are about to dispossess listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.” Neopagan emphasis on accessing numerous spiritual energies seems at odds with the biblical portrayal of the spiritual realm.
Incompatible Views of the Afterlife
Most forms of Neopaganism lack a well-defined concept of the afterlife, with vague notions of continuing existence through merging back into nature or joining a spirit world. Reincarnation is a common theme. By contrast, the Bible presents precise teachings about what happens after death. Hebrews 9:27 declares humans die once and then face judgment before God. Those who trust in Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf enter into eternal life in God’s presence, while those who reject Christ face eternal separation from God (John 3:16, Revelation 20:11-15).
Belief in reincarnation directly conflicts with the Bible’s teaching that each person lives once and then faces judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Those who follow Christ inherit eternal life, not an endless cycle of death and rebirth (1 John 2:25). The afterlife in Neopagan thought differs starkly from the biblical vision of eternal destinies determined by a person’s relationship with Jesus Christ.
Incompatible Views of Sin and Salvation
As discussed above, the Neopagan emphasis on self-empowerment differs greatly from the biblical diagnosis of humanity’s root problem being sin and separation from God. Many Neopagan traditions lack a concept of sin or absolute morality. They promote finding knowledge and truth within oneself through spiritual enlightenment. This contrasts sharply with the Bible’s teaching that human hearts are naturally sinful and inclined to rebel against God (Jeremiah 17:9).
The Bible teaches that no amount of personal effort can bridge the gap between sinful people and a holy God. Eternal salvation is achieved solely through God’s grace shown by Christ’s sacrifice, received freely through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Justification comes by trusting in Christ’s completed work, not striving to earn favor with God. Scripture says our sin-stained attempts at righteousness are like “filthy rags” before a perfect God (Isaiah 64:6). Neopaganism’s different view of human nature and emphasis on self-salvation are incompatible with core biblical teachings on sin and grace.
Foundational Clashes Between Neopaganism and Biblical Theology
Beyond specific practices and beliefs, Neopaganism’s worldview differs greatly from biblical Christianity at a foundational level. Neopaganism embraces pantheism and panentheism, the beliefs that God is the same as creation or that God is in everything. This contradicts biblical teaching that God created the universe but eternally exists apart from it as well (Genesis 1, Isaiah 42:5). Neopagan thought also rejects the Bible’s divine inspiration and authority as God’s inerrant Word.
Additionally, while Neopaganism embraces moral relativism, the Bible asserts ethical absolutes grounded in God’s holy and unchanging character. Scriptural truth claims are by nature exclusive, declaring salvation comes only through Christ (Acts 4:12), while Neopaganism promotes universalism and a syncretistic blend of spiritual traditions. In these foundational ways, the relativistic and pluralistic underpinnings of Neopagan theology fundamentally conflict with the biblical presentation of an authoritative revelation from the one true God.
Summary of Biblical Perspective on Neopagan Beliefs and Practices
In summary, a biblical Christian perspective would find core aspects of Neopagan theology and practice deeply problematic and incompatible with scriptural teachings. Revering nature as divine conflicts with God’s unique worthiness to be worshipped. Reliance on magic arts and divination opposes trusting God’s wisdom and sovereign will. Attempting to realize inner divinity strays from humility before God. Embracing unconstrained sexuality rejects biblical standards of sexual ethics. Accessing spiritual forces other than the true God is forbidden. Vague or nonexistent notions of afterlife and salvation neglect biblical truths about human lostness and God’s redemptive work in Christ.
At a deep level, the monotheistic, objective, and authoritative biblical worldview fundamentally clashes with Neopaganism’s pluralistic, subjective, and relativistic spiritual philosophy. From a Christian perspective based on scriptural teaching, Neopagan beliefs and practices seem irreconcilable with a sound understanding of who God is, who we are as humans, and how we are called to properly relate to our Creator and to each other.
