Accidental Pagans

Accidental Pagans, Ryan Lokkesmoe. Tyndale | Elevate (ISBN: 9798400509674) 2026.

Summary: Christians often embrace a fear-driven faith more like pagan beliefs rather than living in freedom and joyful faith.

Ryan Lokkesmoe observes in this book that we often live out of a fear-driven view of God. This is not the healthy “fear of the Lord” that is an awareness that we live all of our lives before God. Rather, it is a view of God that thinks we have to get the words of our prayers “just right” and tick off lists of “the right things to do” or God will be unhappy with us. When we do so, he suggests that we live more like ancient pagans, not in the sense of immorality, but in the sense of a fear-based faith. Because we don’t intend it, we are accidental pagans.

What might be signs we are accidental pagans? Here are some of the indicators, according to Lokkesmoe:

• We see ourselves as minor players in a cosmos where God holds little affection for us.
• God is thin-skinned and temperamental and we may easily offend him.
• We’re not convinced that God always acts morally or may be trusted.
• God is not really present in every domain of life.
• Likewise, God is more present in some parts of the world than others.
• God changes. For example the Old Testament God of wrath gives way to a New Testament God of love.
• God needs visible expressions of our faith to show us as serious followers of Christ.
• We have to work hard to get God’s attention.
• God is mysterious, unknowable, and always will be.
• Likewise, God doesn’t understand what our lives are like.

Lokkesmoe devotes a chapter to each of these fears. First he sets the fear against the ancient pagan perspective, particularly that of the Greek and Roman gods of the New Testament era. Then he sets that against the truth as revealed in the Bible. Finally he offers practical steps by which we may counter this aspect of accidental paganism. For example, where we may question God’s goodness, he suggests we ask where we get our ideas of right and wrong. He also invites us to see God as even more upset about suffering than we are, and that God is just as present in our valleys.

Lokkesmoe concludes by reminding us of the many times in scripture where people hear, “Do not be afraid” from an angel or from Jesus himself. He offers this encouragement:

“Let’s not be accidental pagans who are afaid of God; let’s be intentional Christians who trust him. Because of Jesus, we know who God is and who we are in his eyes. He is good, all-powerful, ever-present, compassionate, just, faithful, slow to anger, abounding in love, ever-attentive, knowable, and comprehending of our experiences. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, and he is infinitely better than we could ever dream or imagine him to be” (p. 148).

In addition, Lokkesmoe includes five Bible studies that may be used on their own or with the book. They cover origins, God’s stability, omnipresence, attention, and God’s knowledge of us and ours of God. Not only do the studies include questions to reflect on biblical passage but also a video discussion.

People sometimes tell me they don’t believe in God. I often ask them to tell me about the God they don’t believe in. Most often, I tell them I don’t believe in that God either. Likewise, many Christians are troubled by needless fears about God. In many instances, the issue is “accidental pagan” beliefs. This book is helpful both in naming and countering those beliefs. For some, this could help them come to faith in Christ and know the triune God. For others, it could mean stepping into the “perfect love that casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Lokkesmoe combines a clear presentation with a warm pastoral presence creating the space to reconsider our fearful beliefs. He offers a compelling vision of the beauty of the God who loves us.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.