📘 Lexicon Entry: Syncretism

The blending or fusion of different religious, philosophical, or cultural traditions into new hybrid forms that combine elements from multiple sources

Syncretism refers to the blending or fusion of different religious, philosophical, or cultural traditions into new hybrid forms that combine elements from multiple sources. Originally a neutral term describing how religious traditions naturally adapt and evolve through cultural contact, syncretism becomes problematic when it creates incoherent combinations that compromise the integrity of core theological commitments. In the context of contemporary American Christianity, syncretism manifests in the fusion of Christian symbols and language with nationalist ideology, consumer capitalism, and political partisanship. MAGA Christianism represents a form of syncretism that blends Christian identity with political ideology, while Dominative Christianism syncretizes Christian language with power-seeking behavior. The Nova Effect creates cultural conditions conducive to syncretism by multiplying worldview options and weakening traditional religious authority. Identity Synthesis can be understood as a particular form of syncretism where religious and political identities become fused into new hybrid forms that resist traditional categorization.

Theological Genealogy

syncretism, religious fusion, cultural blending, hybrid religion, civil religion, nationalist Christianity, theological integrity

Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Syncretism.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].

Term originates from Greek synkretismos, referring to Cretan cities uniting against common enemies

Applied to religious studies in 19th century to describe mixing of religious traditions

Colonial encounters created extensive religious syncretism throughout history

American religious history marked by various syncretic movements and adaptations

Contemporary globalization accelerates syncretic processes across religious boundaries

Ancient religious syncretism in Hellenistic and Roman contexts

Medieval synthesis of Christian theology with Greek philosophy

Colonial-era fusion of Christianity with indigenous traditions worldwide

American civil religion as synthesis of Christian and republican themes

New Age spirituality as eclectic synthesis of diverse religious traditions

Contemporary political-religious syncretism in nationalist movements

Recognition that all religious traditions develop through cultural interaction and adaptation

Distinction between authentic inculturation and problematic syncretism

Theological criteria for evaluating syncretic developments

Emphasis on maintaining core theological commitments amid cultural adaptation

Understanding of gospel as both particular and universal in scope

Recognition of danger when political or cultural ideologies co-opt religious language

Hellenistic mystery religions blending Greek and Near Eastern elements

Medieval scholasticism synthesizing Christian and Aristotelian thought

Liberation theology incorporating Marxist analysis with Christian themes

American civil religion blending Christian and republican symbols

Contemporary Christian nationalism fusing religious and political identity

New Age spirituality creating eclectic religious syntheses

Early Christian theologians navigating Hellenistic cultural synthesis

Medieval theologians like Thomas Aquinas synthesizing faith and reason

Colonial missionaries encountering indigenous religious traditions

American theologians developing civil religious themes

Contemporary religious leaders promoting nationalist-Christian synthesis

Scholars of religious studies analyzing syncretic phenomena

Early Christian interpretation of Hebrew Scriptures through Greek philosophical categories

Allegorical interpretation allowing synthesis of biblical and philosophical themes

Colonial missionary translation creating new syncretic biblical interpretations

American civil religious reading of biblical chosenness themes

Contemporary nationalist interpretation blending biblical and political themes

Selective biblical interpretation supporting cultural and political agendas

MAGA Christianism as syncretism of Christian identity with political ideology

Dominative Christianism syncretizing Christian language with power-seeking behavior

Christian Nationalism blending religious and national identity

Identity Synthesis as fusion of religious and political identities

Prosperity materialism combining Christian language with consumer capitalism

Platform Capitalism creating new forms of technological-religious synthesis

Classical studies of Hellenistic religious syncretism by scholars like Martin Hengel

Anthropological analysis of syncretic processes by Claude Lévi-Strauss and others

Religious studies scholarship on American civil religion and cultural Christianity

Postcolonial analysis of missionary encounters and religious hybridization

Contemporary research on political religion and nationalist movements

Theological analysis of authentic inculturation versus problematic syncretism

Related Primary Concepts: MAGA Christianism, Dominative Christianism, Nova Effect

Key Mutations: Primitive Biblicism, Practical Atheism, Tribal Epistemology

Contemporary Movements: Christian Nationalism, Identity Synthesis, Platform Capitalism

Theological Alternatives: Prophetic Patriotism, Relational Receptivity, Analogical Metaphysics

Historical Context: Civil Religion, Covenant Theology, [Cotton Evangelicalism](placeholder-url)

May 22, 2025

*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*