Paganism, Prophecies and Propaganda – 5

Hints and Glimpses

When someone dismissed Christianity because of its links with pagan religions C.S.Lewis said, “It doesn’t bother me that Christianity has links with earlier pagan religions. What would bother me is if it did not have links with any other religions.” The fact is, you can find similarities and connecting points between Christianity and all the other religions both ancient and modern, and it is this fact which validates rather than invalidates Christianity.

Since the Christian faith (and more specifically the Catholic faith) connects in its beliefs and practices with other religions it shows that Catholicism is deeply true. What we would be suspicious of is a religion that was totally isolated and cut off from every other world religion. Such a religion would have to be made up. Since there are links and connections with other religions they shed light on the Catholic faith and illuminate the depths of Catholicism.

The Catholics understanding is that all the other religions–ancient pagan religions and modern religions–all point to the fullness of truth which is found in the Catholic faith. The pagan religions in their own way point to and prophesy the coming of Christ. This was the view of the church fathers. They looked to the pagan myths and saw glimpses and hints of the Christ who was to come. They saw the ancient religious systems and practices and devotions and saw in them all a kind of prophecy and pointer to the Christ who was to come.

Every aspect of the ancient world was thought to be a pointer to Christ. The pagan philosophers also pointed to Christ. In their images, their language and their systems of thought they were hinting at what was to come. So the Fathers of the Church loved to pull out quotes from the ancient philosophers which hinted at the fullness of revelation that would come in Christ. Now the virgin is returning…

A new human race is descending from the heights of heaven…

The birth of a child, with whom

the iron age of humanity will

end and the golden age begin…

Catholicism is not the practice of paganism, but it is the fulfillment of the hints and glimpses that are given in every ancient religion, philosophy and prophecy. Truth, wherever it appears, is Catholic truth, and once we see the relationship between other religions and philosophies and the Catholic faith the sooner we will see their beautiful fulfillment in the one true faith.

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos