Syncretism

2 Kings 17:32-33New International Version (NIV)

32 They worshiped the Lord, but they also appointed all sorts of their own people to officiate for them as priests in the shrines at the high places. 33 They worshiped the Lord, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.

The Old Testament covenant people of God who God had delivered out of Egypt in His power and might failed to walk in the covenant He had made with them.  Because of this they had been a divided kingdom.  The northern kingdom of Israel had burned through a succession of monarchies and despite God attempting to turn their hearts back to Him through the prophets had come to a day of judgment by way of an Assyrian dispersion.  But even in this, God had in mind bless and save them as they would remain His people, loved and adored by Him no matter where they were. The way the Assyrians conquered nations was by removing them from their land and mixing them with other people from other lands.  It was to create a great “melting pot” in which all identities were mixed so that ultimately individual identity was lost.  This was the plan of the king of Assyria for Israel however this was no ordinary people, these were the children of God!  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28 (NIV) and that sometimes what man intends for evil, God intends for good (see Gen. 50:20).  Through this time of suffering, these Israelites (later known as Samaritans) became extremely monotheistic and loyal to the one true God.

The verses above however are not referring to the northern tribes of Israel but to the peoples who were exported from other conquered lands into Samaria.  The king of Assyria settled all these foreign people into Samaria but Samaria remained God’s land.  Because these people did not worship the Lord, He sent lions to attack and kill them.  Deducing that it was because the people did not know “how” to worship the God of this land, the king had a priest who had been taken from Samaria brought back to teach these people how to worship the Lord.  “Nevertheless, each national group made its own gods in the several towns where they settled, and set them up in the shrines the people of Samaria had made at the high places. (2 Kings 17:29)”.  The people took part in what is called “syncretism”, Webster defines syncretism as “1:  the combination of different forms of belief or practice; or 2:  the fusion of two or more originally different inflectional forms.” The people worshipped God but also worshipped all their other gods as well.  The king didn’t care who they worshipped or what cultural traditions they took part in as long as they did not separate themselves into one single identity.  The melting pot, explore all cultures and gods way was beneficial to him because all the people seemed fairly content to have some of this and some of that…whatever felt good, this they would hold on to.  The people were content enough with this and there was little chance of any groups rallying under ONE TRUE way and rising against him.

This reminds me a lot of where American churches (notice the small “c”) are today.  There are a lot of people claiming to be Christians who have been deceived by the wicked king of this world into getting involved in “syncretism”.  There are religious institutions and country clubs set up as “shrines at the high places” and “they also appointed all sorts of their own people to officiate for them as priests” “They worship[ed] the Lord, but they also serve[d] their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they [have] been brought.” Many in this country and around this world believe that giving some semblance of worship to God will be sufficient while also remaining fully devoted to the idols of the carnal man.  Many believe that their grand buildings and large denominations with their traditions and customs will save them while their loyalties remain mixed between the things of God and the things of this world.  The beautiful Gospel of Grace (Jesus Christ) and the wonderful finished work of the cross are indeed the greatest of gifts ever made available to mankind but there is no syncretism in true new covenant people.  The time has come that true believers worship in spirit and in truth with uncompromised and unwavering loyalty to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Not that we have any part in the gift of our salvation but to receive it by Grace through faith, but BECAUSE we are saved (and if we are truly saved), there will be no mixture…no worshipping of the one true God and any other of the worlds “idols” whether money, self, status, job, success, our children, our spouse, our parents or any other god of this world.  It is my prayer that you are walking in the truth and the light.  Later in the scripture section that is shared above we read, “³⁸ Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. ³⁹ Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.⁴⁰ They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. ⁴¹ Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did. (2 Kings 17:38-41 (NIV)”.  A very sad testament to the nation of Israel.  May the Church excel in her devotion to God to be presentable as a bride without spot or wrinkle when our bridegroom returns, Amen.

One more thought about “syncretism” or “mixture”, it NEVER works!  The TRUE GOSPEL is the gospel of GRACE.  At Freedom Church we are committed to that gospel and to the teaching of that gospel to all.  The understanding of the difference between the old covenant of law, works and performance and the new covenant of grace is essential.  Too many believers are kept in bondage to the old covenant due to the poor teachings and traditions that have been brought down through religions and traditions of men.  Do not think that a religion based on works or performance is a saving work.  Also do not think that a religion of mixture of grace and law (performance, works) is pleasing to God either.  There is but one way to be saved and that is through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world, Praise His Holy Name!  Jesus Christ has born ALL the sin of the world, past, present, future, period!  Sin is forgiven.  God has reconciled man to Himself through Jesus and His FINISHED work on the cross.  His unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor is available for all who will believe and receive this incredible gift.  There is nothing that anyone has to do or anything anyone CAN do to deserve or earn this.  God loves you ridiculously; you are the apple of His eye and He has blessing upon blessing for you in Christ. 

GRACE and PEACE be upon you,

Pastor Tony

Freedom Church, USA