• Deuteronomy 12:29-32
    "When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, "How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise." You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

     
  • Revelation 22:18-19
    For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
     
  • Exodus 32:1-8
    Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." And Aaron said to them, "Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!" So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, "Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD." Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. And the LORD said to Moses, "Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!""
     
  • Jeremiah 10:2
    Thus says the LORD:
    “ Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
    Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
    For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.

     
  • Romans 10:1-3
    Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
     
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
    Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
    "I will dwell in them
    And walk among them.
    I will be their God,
    And they shall be My people."
    Therefore "Come out from among them
    And be separate, says the Lord.
    Do not touch what is unclean,
    And I will receive you."
    "I will be a Father to you,
    And you shall be My sons and daughters,
    Says the LORD Almighty."
     
  • James 3:11-13
    Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Syncretism


Resources

Syncretismas!

Article by Martin G. Collins

Christmas, as it is celebrated today, represents a syncretistic blend of pagan rites and Christian themes, a mixture that is abhorrent to God. This holiday, flourishing in the materialistic Western world, has origins rooted in non-Christian traditions, drawing from ancient Babylonian practices involving figures like Nimrod and …


Fishy Syncretism

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

The Philistines were a thorn in the sides of God's people all the way back to Abraham. Later, they continued their torment as a bitter enemy of the Israelites. Samson's epic story, in about the 12th century BC, ended with him dying while destroying the Philistines' temple of Dagon. A few years later, the Philistines attacked the …


Christmas, Syncretism, and Presumption

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Adding to or subtracting from God's Word through the celebration of Christmas exemplifies syncretism, an attempt to merge foreign practices with the truth without determining if God would permit it. This syncretistic inclusion begins to dilute the purity of the God-given religion, and before long, other barriers fall, leading to …


Spirit and Truth

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The pagan origins of Christmas are well known. How can Christians practice something that has always been anti-God? Is this worshiping 'in spirit and in truth'?


Cogitations on Christmas

Article by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Most recognize Christmas' pagan origins and its lack of biblical support. These facts should make us consider whether Christians should celebrate it.


Reasons for Not Celebrating Christmas

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

Why do we not keep Christmas? Jesus was not born on December 25, during Saturnalia, a pagan festival. It is a commercialized holiday rife with lies.


Is New Year's Eve a Pagan Holiday?

'Ready Answer' by Mike Ford

New Year's Eve may seem like an innocuous, secular holiday, but it, too, has ties to ungodly, pre-Christian customs and religious practices.


The Plain Truth About Christmas

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

Did Christmas come from the Bible or paganism? Here are the origins of the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, mistletoe, the holly wreath, and exchanging gifts.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Syncretism