This is the second excerpt from Selwyn R. Stevens’ book and it highlights where many of our current church practices originated from. If you’re interested in getting more details you can pick up the classic book Pagan Christianity authored by Frank Viola and George Barna. You can check out Selwyn’s website here. He has some great free material available here.
Church buildings: were first constructed by the Roman emperor, Constantine (285-337), around 327AD. They were patterned after Roman basilicas, modeled after Greek temples.
The Pastor’s Chair: was originally the Cathedra, the seat of the judge in the Roman basilica.
Tax-exempt status for Churches & Clergy: This was granted by the Roman emperor Constantine, in 323AD, to make them equal to the tax-free privilege for Pagan priests.
Stained Glass Windows: Introduced by Gregory of Tours, perfected by Sugar (1081-1151), abbot of St Denis.
Gothic Cathedrals: were first erected in 12th Century, according to the pagan philosophy of Plato.
The Church Steeple: Based on ancient Babylonian and Egyptian architecture and philosophy, this medieval invention was popularized by Sir Christopher Wren, noted occultist.
The Pulpit: The earliest known use in a Christian church was 250AD. It was derived from the Greek “ambo” used by Greeks to deliver monologues.
Sunday Morning Order of Worship: Evolved from Gregory’s Mass in 6th Century.
Communion Table: Introduced by Ulrich Zwingli in 16th Century.
Taking Communion Quarterly: Introduced by Ulrich Zwingli in 16th Century.
Two lit Candles on Communion Table: Used in the ceremonial court of Roman emperors in the 4th Century.
The Pew: Developed in England from the 13th Century onward.
Congregation Standing & Singing when Clergy enter: Borrowed from ceremonial court of Roman emperors in 4th Century.
The Altar-Call: Instituted by 17th Century Methodists, popularlized later by Charles Finney.
The Sermon: Borrowed by Greek sophists, masters of oratory and rhetoric. John Chrysostom and Augustine popularized the Greek-Roman homily.
The Single Leader (Bishop or Pastor): Ignatius of Antioch in early 2nd century. Did not prevail as model until 3rd century.
The “Covering” Doctrine: Former pagan orator, Cyprian of Carthage. Revived under Juan Carlos Ortiz of Argentina, and the “Fort Lauderdale Five” from USA, who created the “Shepherding Movement” during the 1970’s, since repented of.
Hierarchical Leadership: Imposed by Roman emperor, Constantine in 4th Century. This was the leadership model from the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and Romans.
Clergy and Laity: The term “laity” first appeared in writings of Clement of Rome approx. 100AD. Clergy first appeared in Tertullian’s writings (160-225) in 2nd Century, with Christian leaders all called clergy by 3rd Century. (The term “nicolaitan” means to enslave the laity.)
Celibacy of Clergy: Required by Pope Siricius (334-399). This was carried over from the enforced celibacy required by the Priests of Mithras, a major pagan religion in Rome prior to then.
Ordination: From the Roman custom of appointing men to civil office. Augustine, Gregory of Nazianzus and Crysostom developed the idea of the minister being “the holy man of God.”
The Title “Pastor”: Developed by Lutherans as an alternative title to the Priest of the Roman church.
Clergy Attire: Began in 330AD when Christian clergy began to copy the dress of Roman officials.
The Clerical or Backwards Collar: Invented by Dr. Donald McLeod of Glasgow in 1865.
The Church Choir: Copied from Roman imperial ceremonies, and Greek dramas and temples.
Funeral Processions and Orations: Borrowed from Greco-Roman paganism of 3rd Century.
The Worship Team: Developed by Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in 1965, patterned after secular rock concerts.
The “Sinners’ Prayer”: Originated with D.L.Moody (1837-1899), popularized in 1950’s through Billy Graham’s “Peace with God” tract, and later with Campus Crusade for Christ’s “4 Spiritual Laws.”
Use of the Term, “Personal Savior”: Originated in mid-1800’s by Frontier-Revivalists, later popularized by Charles Fuller (1887-1968).
Infant Baptism: Rooted in superstitious beliefs in Greco-Roman culture. Brought into Christian practice in 2nd century, replaced adult baptism by 5th century.
Sprinkling replacing Immersion: began in late Middle ages.
Baptism Separated from Conversion: Began in early 2nd century, based on legalistic view that baptism was the only medium for the forgiveness of sins.
The Lord’s Supper Condensed from full Agape Meal to only Cup and Bread: Late 2nd century, resulting from pagan ritual influences and anti-Semitism, and enforced by Roman Emperor Constantine (4th Century) and later emperors who saw themselves as leaders of the church. (This is a fraction of the Jewish Passover which reveals the Messiah.)
Tithing: Became a widespread Christian practice in 8th Century. Copied from 10% rent charge by Roman empire, and later justified using the Old Testament.
Clergy Salaries: Instituted by Roman Emperor Constantine in 4th Century.
The Collection Plate: The Alms dish appeared in 14th Century, Passing the collection plate began in 1662.
The Catholic Seminary: Early result of the Council of Trent (1545-1563), a reaction to the Protestant Reformation. The curriculum was based on the teachings of Thomas Aquinas, which blended Aristotle’s philosophy, Neoplatonic philosophy and Christian doctrine. Aquinas created the new doctrine of transubstantiation.
The Protestant Seminary: Began in 1808 in Andover, Massachusetts, with a curriculum also based by teachings of Thomas Aquinas.
The Bible College: Influenced by revivalist D.L.Moody, started in NewYork (1882) and Chicago (1886).
The Sunday School: Created by Robert Raikes from Britain in 1780. It was designed to teach poor children basics of education and had nothing to do with religious instruction.
The Youth Pastor: Developed in urban churches during the 1930’s onward to meet the needs of a new socialogical class called “teenagers.”
Chapter Numbers in the New Testament: Created by Stephen Langton, a professor at University of Paris, in 1227.
Verses added to New Testament Chapters: by printer, Robert Stephanus in 1551.