Syncretism:
“the reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief.”
As applied in modern culture, it is like a build-your-own religion. The advocates of religious syncretism take whatever they like from the various “faiths” and world religions (maybe a little Bible). They bring that all together in a personal, flexible, fun little religious package and call it “spirituality.”
If you ever think that a little Christianity can be put in the mix, remember that Jesus said, “I am the way,” and - - Something like this must have been under consideration when Paul said, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons,” (1 Cor. 10:21).
“In spite of human efforts to harmonize all religions into equally valid routes to the divine, the scriptures do not allow such an option. Oriental religions have become attractive to many Americans because they are so inclusive. But that attitude stands in stark contrast to the exclusive claims of Christianity. Both cannot be right. Other exclusive religions, such as Islam, clearly understand that two exclusive, contradictory routes to God present a logical impasse,” (Curtis Pope, Biblical Insights, May, 2013).
By Warren E. Berkley
The Front Page
From Expository Files 20.7; July 2013
