In the Bible, 'heathen' simply refers to a non-Jew, also called a Gentile.
This is not about paganism or remote tribes; it is a broad term for anyone outside the nation of Israel. Les Feldick emphasizes this definition, using examples like the Athenians who were steeped in idolatry yet still considered heathen because they were not Jews.
Ezekiel 37:21 — This verse directly uses 'heathen' to refer to the nations where Israel was scattered, clearly meaning non-Jews.
In the King James Bible, the word 'heathen' is used to refer to nations or people groups that are not Israel. For example, Ezekiel 37:21 says, 'Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land.' Here 'heathen' clearly indicates the Gentile nations where Israel was dispersed. The New Testament also uses 'heathen' (or 'Gentiles') in a similar way, contrasting them with Jews. In Acts 17, the Athenians are described as being given to idolatry and having an altar 'To the Unknown God' (Acts 17:23). They are representative of the heathen world—religious and intellectual, but without the true knowledge of God. Thus, biblically, 'heathen' is an ethnic and covenantal term, not necessarily a moral or cultural descriptor of extreme paganism.
Les Feldick consistently teaches that 'heathen' simply means non-Jew or Gentile. He emphasizes that it does not refer to someone steeped in idolatry or pagan darkness, but to anyone who is not a Jew (Clip 2). He illustrates this with the Athenians: despite their intellectualism and elaborate idolatry, they were heathen because they lacked the true God (Clips 0, 4, 6). Les also clarifies Greek terms like 'Grecians' (non-Palestinian Jews) versus 'Greeks' (Gentiles), showing the distinction between Jews and non-Jews in the New Testament world (Clips 1, 3). This distinction is crucial for understanding Paul's ministry and the separation between Israel and the nations.
Les Feldick teaches that 'heathen' refers to non-Jews, not specifically to pagans or idolaters. In Ezekiel 37:21, God promises to gather Israel 'from among the heathen,' which simply means from among the Gentile nations, regardless of their religious practices (Clip 2). The Athenians, though deeply idolatrous, are not called 'heathen' because of their idolatry, but because they were not Jews. Les points out that even idolatrous people like the Athenians were heathen in the biblical sense of being outside Israel (Clips 4, 6).
Les Feldick uses Athens as a prime example of heathen culture. The Athenians were intellectual, philosophical, and religious, yet they were totally given over to idolatry and knew nothing of the true God (Clip 0). They had an altar 'To the Unknown God' because they were trying to cover all bases (Clips 4, 6). Despite Jews living among them for centuries, they remained ignorant of the God of Israel. This shows that being heathen is not about being uneducated or primitive, but simply about being outside the covenant people of Israel.
Yes, Les Feldick equates 'heathen' with 'Gentile.' He says, 'the word heathen in Scripture simply refers to the non-Jew' (Clip 2). In modern terminology, we usually call them Gentiles. This is consistent with the Greek word 'ethnos' which is translated as 'heathen' or 'nations' in the KJV. Les also distinguishes between 'Grecians' (Jews living outside Palestine) and 'Greeks' (pure Gentiles), showing the ethnic distinction (Clips 1, 3).
The summary mentions that in I Corinthians 10, Gentiles' sacrifices are described as sacrifices to demons. This is a biblical truth found in 1 Corinthians 10:20, which says, 'But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God.' Les Feldick does not directly address this in the provided clips, but the context of heathen idolatry supports the idea that they were worshipping false gods, which are demons. This reinforces why believers must separate from such practices.
Athens Given to Idolatry
Les describes Athens as a center of intellectualism yet totally given to idolatry, knowing nothing of the true God—illustrating that heathen are those outside Israel regardless of culture.
Grecians vs. Greeks
Les explains that 'Grecians' are Jews living outside Palestine, while 'Greeks' are Gentiles, helping clarify ethnic distinctions in the New Testament.
Definition of Heathen
Les directly defines 'heathen' as simply a non-Jew, not a pagan, using Ezekiel 37:21 as evidence.
Grecians Defined
Les reinforces that a Grecian is a non-Palestinian Jew, and Greeks are Gentiles, aiding understanding of ethnic categories.
Athenians as Gullible Pagans
Les notes the Athenians' gullibility and paganism, and their altar to the Unknown God, showing their ignorance of the true God.
World Steeped in Paganism
Les explains that before Abram, the whole world was steeped in paganism, with only a few who knew the true God, emphasizing the state of the heathen world.
Paul Confronts Intellectualism
Les highlights Paul at Mars Hill confronting Athenians who were intellectual but ignorant of God, using their altar to the unknown God as a launch point.
Pagan Converts in Corinth
Les describes Corinthian believers as 'pagan Gentiles, recently converted out of their mythology and idolatry,' showing what heathen converts look like.
Ezekiel 37:21: And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land.
This verse clearly uses 'heathen' to refer to the Gentile nations where Israel was scattered, defining the term as non-Jews.
Acts 17:23: For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
This verse describes the Athenians' heathen worship, showing their ignorance of the true God despite their religiosity.
1 Corinthians 10:20: But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
This verse shows that Gentile (heathen) sacrifices are actually to demons, because they do not know God.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that 'heathen' simply means non-Jew (Clip 2). It is not about being pagan or idolatrous, but about ethnicity and being outside the nation of Israel.
Yes, Greeks are Gentiles and therefore heathen by the biblical definition. Les explains that Greeks are pure Gentiles (Clip 1), distinct from Grecians who are Jews living outside Palestine.
Because intellectualism and religion do not change one's status as a heathen. They were still non-Jews, ignorant of the true God, as Les points out from Acts 17 (Clip 4).
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About the Lord's Table — 1 Corinthians 10:16