Pagan Connection: Did Christianity Borrow From the Mystery Religions? (original) (raw)
The "Christ Myth Theory" has gained traction among some scholars and internet commentators, arguing that the life of Jesus Christ is a mere amalgamation of myths from ancient pagan gods such as Horus, Mithra, Dionysus, Osiris, and others. This theory suggests that key elements of Jesus' narrative-including his virgin birth, miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection-were borrowed from earlier deities. This paper critically examines these claims by evaluating the alleged parallels between Jesus and various pagan gods, including Horus, Mithra, Krishna, Zalmoxis, and others. Upon close analysis, it is clear that many of these comparisons either misrepresent pagan mythology or rely on superficial similarities while ignoring the deeper theological and historical contexts. Ultimately, this paper demonstrates that the life of Jesus is distinct from pagan traditions and rooted in a unique Jewish theological framework.
The pagan roots of Christianity: a Reply
In the introduction of his book "The Pagan Origins of Christianity" Andre Knighton wrote: "…. The Catholic Church did not recognize her pagan roots and origins up to this day…… the time has come to look today at Christianity in the light of the emerging studies on paganism" In fact, the first to put these theories is Godfrey Higgins (1772-1833), followed by Kersey Graves, who published his famous book "The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors", in 1875, after that, there have been writings by John G. Jackson , Tom Harpur , Acharya S , and others. But the accuracy and validity of the information of these writings had been questioned not only by Christian scholars, but also by atheists, with the general consensus that these writings are non-scientific and non-credible, and among those who issued these books including Higgins, none of them is specialized in history or theology or religions, or even ancient civilizations. This theory, which is called the copycat, (means: copy or imitation) is trying to put all the similarities between Jesus and Horus, Attis, Krishna, Mithra and Dionysius and others, on the basis that Christianity had adapted the personal details and the life of Jesus from them.
This paper explores the relationship between the Hellenistic Mystery religions and the developing religion of Christianity between the First and Third Centuries CE. Looking particularly at the examples of Eucharist and Baptism in the early Church, it examines the evidence that Christianity was, in effect, a Mystery Religion and that its sacraments were derived from the cults around it. Ultimately, the paper rejects this analysis arguing that the relationship was far more complex, with Christianity taking ideas and practices from both Hellenistic and Jewish predecessors as well as developing its own unique ideas and world view. The relationship between Christianity and the religious traditions that surrounded and helped to form it was a complex one with ideas and influences flowing in both directions.
Early Christianities and the Ancient Mysteries - lecture slides (pdf)
Had you ever heard about the Ancient Mystery Centers by the time you graduated from high school? Why did so many Roman historians cite the important role these centers played in the development of world culture, mythology, and religion? We will explore their history and track their sponsorship of Early Christianities and their influence on so-called heretical theologies, how they went underground by the 6th Century, and their continued brief flowerings through the Renaissance and on to modern times. What happened at these mystery centers? What knowledge flowed into civilization? How did Christianity relate to their wisdom?
Jesus Revealed: The Dynamics of Early Christian Mysticism
Ekstasis: Religious Experience from Antiquity to the Middle Ages, 2010
Like its sibling Judaism, Christianity understands itself as a revealed religion, as a religion that was not only disclosed through direct and immediate divine-to-human communication, but whose dogma reveals to humans the Hidden God and his will. With such a selfidentity, mysticism can scarcely be far away. Yet early Christian mysticism traditionally has been understood as a relatively late Platonic and philosophical product of patristic theology, marked particularly by Denys the Areopagite who, in the late fifth century, taught the apophatic way, where the soul escapes the created order to unite with the Unknowable God. 1 The first generations of Christianity and their foundational memories and narratives are casually brushed aside as "background" to a mysticism arising later from Christianity's fusion with neo-Platonism. 2 Although it is true that a particular strand of Christianity fused with neo-Platonism produced the type of mysticism taught and practiced by Denys, it is also true that long before Denys lived there was a rich tradition of Christian mysticism already in place, a mysticism that grew out of even older Jewish mystical traditions as I have described elsewhere. 3 It was this Christian brand of early Jewish mysticism that was the root structure which produced and sustained the new movement. It was this Christian brand of early Jewish mysticism which eventually yielded a pliable branch for a neo-Platonic graft to take hold, such as it did in the teachings of Denys. In many ways we are dealing here with the problem of semantics. When historians of Christianity talk about mysticism, it is defined by them in such a way that it explains a certain data set, particularly 1 Louth 1981:159. 2 Louth 1981. Cohn-Sherbok-Cohn-Sherbok 1994. Although McGinn does not wish to neglect the Jewish origins of Christian mysticism, his treatment of the Jewish materials hinges on fourteen pages before turning to a discussion of the Greek materials: McGinn 1992: 9-22. 3 For a treatment of the major characteristics of early Jewish and Christian mysticism, see DeConick 2006b: 1-24.
New York - The Truth SEEKER Company 62 Vesey Streeet, 1882
This groundbreaking work by T.W. Doane explores the profound connections between biblical narratives and ancient Near Eastern mythology, revealing revolutionary insights into the origins of sacred texts. From the creation myths and flood stories to the miraculous birth of deities, Doane meticulously examines the parallels between the Old and New Testament and the religious traditions of Sumer, Babylon, Egypt, and beyond. This specialist analysis challenges traditional interpretations, offering a transformative understanding of biblical events as part of a broader, ancient cosmology, ultimately redefining our perception of the Bible's place in the religious tapestry of antiquity. From a specialist's perspective, Doane’s analysis is particularly illuminating for scholars of ancient Near Eastern and biblical studies, as it challenges the conventional understanding of the Bible as a singular divine revelation. Instead, Doane posits that these biblical stories are part of a broader, shared mythological framework that transcends cultural boundaries. His insights into the common archetypes and themes—such as divine creation, apocalyptic deluges, and the hero's journey—offer a transformative view of the Bible, not as an isolated text, but as a continuation of humanity's ancient quest to understand the divine. This work is a must-read for anyone seeking to grasp the deeper, interconnected origins of biblical literature. Contents with Custom short summaries given below for the readers / researchers ease as follows: PART I Introduction (Page iii) A scholarly introduction that sets the stage for a comparative analysis of biblical myths and their counterparts in other ancient religions. List of Authorities, and Books Quoted From (Page xi) A comprehensive list of sources and references Doane utilized in his extensive research, highlighting the scholarly depth of the work. CHAPTER I: The Creation and Fall of Man (Page 1) Examines the biblical account of creation and the fall, comparing it with similar myths from other cultures, emphasizing universal themes of origin and morality. CHAPTER II: The Deluge (Page 19) Analyzes the story of Noah’s flood, tracing parallels with flood myths from ancient civilizations such as Sumeria and India. CHAPTER III: The Tower of Babel (Page 38) Discusses the Tower of Babel narrative, exploring its symbolic significance and its echoes in the mythologies of other ancient peoples. CHAPTER IV: The Trial of Abraham’s Faith (Page 88) Explores the story of Abraham’s test of faith, comparing it to similar stories of divine trials in other religious traditions. CHAPTER V: Jacob’s Vision of the Ladder (Page 42) Examines Jacob’s ladder dream, analyzing its symbolism and parallels with other mystical experiences in world mythology. CHAPTER VI: The Exodus from Egypt (Page 48) Investigates the Exodus story, drawing comparisons with similar liberation myths from other cultures, particularly in the Near East. CHAPTER VII: Receiving the Ten Commandments (Page 68) Discusses the Ten Commandments, comparing their moral imperatives with those found in other ancient legal codes. CHAPTER VIII: Samson and His Exploits (Page 77) Analyzes the story of Samson, highlighting similarities with other legendary strongmen and heroes in mythology. CHAPTER IX: Jonah Swallowed by a Big Fish (Page 85) Explores the tale of Jonah, discussing its symbolic meaning and parallels with other myths of resurrection and rebirth. CHAPTER X: Circumcision (Page 88) A study of the practice of circumcision, tracing its origins and significance in different religious traditions. CHAPTER XI: Conclusion of Part First (Page 88) A summary and conclusion of the first part, reflecting on the findings and setting the stage for the analysis of the New Testament myths. PART II CHAPTER XII: The Miraculous Birth of Christ Jesus (Page 111) Examines the virgin birth narrative, comparing it with miraculous birth stories from various cultures. CHAPTER XIII: The Star of Bethlehem (Page 140) Discusses the symbolism of the Star of Bethlehem, exploring its parallels in other religious traditions. CHAPTER XIV: The Song of the Heavenly Host (Page 147) Analyzes the song of the angels at Jesus' birth, considering its echoes in other divine announcements in mythology. CHAPTER XV: The Divine Child Recognized, and Presented with Gifts (Page 150) Explores the story of the Magi, comparing it with other myths where divine children receive gifts or recognition. CHAPTER XVI: The Birth-place of Christ Jesus (Page 154) Discusses the significance of Bethlehem and its parallels with other sacred birthplaces in ancient mythology. CHAPTER XVII: The Genealogy of Christ Jesus (Page 160) A comparative analysis of Jesus' genealogy, exploring similar divine lineage stories in other religions. CHAPTER XVIII: The Slaughter of the Innocents (Page 165) Examines the massacre ordered by Herod, comparing it to other tales of rulers who kill to prevent prophecies. CHAPTER XIX: The Temptation, and Fast of Forty Days (Page 175) Analyzes the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, comparing it with other stories of spiritual trials and fasting. CHAPTER XX: The Crucifixion of Christ Jesus (Page 181) Discusses the crucifixion, exploring its symbolic significance and parallels in other sacrificial myths. CHAPTER XXI: The Darkness at the Crucifixion (Page 204) Explores the darkness that fell during the crucifixion, considering its parallels in other traditions of cosmic disturbances at key moments. CHAPTER XXII: “He Descended into Hell” (Page 211) Analyzes the descent into hell, comparing it to similar motifs of journeys to the underworld in mythology. CHAPTER XXIII: The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ Jesus (Page 215) Discusses the resurrection and ascension, drawing parallels with resurrection myths in other religious traditions. CHAPTER XXIV: The Second Coming of Christ Jesus, and the Millennium (Page 238) Explores the concept of the Second Coming and the Millennium, comparing it with apocalyptic visions in other cultures. CHAPTER XXV: Christ Jesus as Judge of the Dead (Page 244) Analyzes the role of Jesus as the judge of the dead, exploring similar roles in other mythologies. CHAPTER XXVI: Christ Jesus as Creator, and Alpha and Omega (Page 247) Discusses Jesus' depiction as the Creator and the beginning and the end, comparing it to similar divine roles in other traditions. CHAPTER XXVII: The Miracles of Christ Jesus, and the Primitive Christians (Page 252) Explores the miracles of Jesus and the early Christians, comparing them with miracle stories from other cultures. CHAPTER XXVIII: Christ Krishna and Christ Jesus (Page 278) A comparative study of Jesus and Krishna, highlighting the striking similarities between their stories. CHAPTER XXIX: Christ Buddha and Christ Jesus (Page 289) Analyzes the parallels between the lives and teachings of Jesus and Buddha, exploring shared themes. CHAPTER XXX: The Eucharist or Lord’s Supper (Page 305) Discusses the Eucharist, tracing its origins and comparing it with similar rituals in other religious traditions. CHAPTER XXXI: Baptism (Page 316) Explores the practice of baptism, comparing it with similar rites of purification in various cultures. CHAPTER XXXII: The Worship of the Virgin Mother (Page 320) Analyzes the veneration of Mary, comparing it with the worship of mother goddesses in other religions. CHAPTER XXXIII: Christian Symbols (Page 339) A study of Christian symbols, exploring their origins and parallels in other religious iconography. CHAPTER XXXIV: The Birth-day of Christ Jesus (Page 359) Discusses the celebration of Jesus’ birth, comparing it with the birthdates of other divine figures. CHAPTER XXXV: The Trinity (Page 368) Explores the concept of the Trinity, comparing it with similar triadic deities in other mythologies. CHAPTER XXXVI: Paganism in Christianity (Page 384) Discusses the influence of pagan beliefs and practices on the development of Christianity. CHAPTER XXXVII: Why Christianity Prospered (Page 419) Analyzes the factors that contributed to the spread and success of Christianity. CHAPTER XXXVIII: The Antiquity of Pagan Religions (Page 450) Explores the ancient origins of pagan religions and their influence on later religious traditions. CHAPTER XXXIX: Explanation (Page 466) Provides explanations and clarifications on various points discussed throughout the book. CHAPTER XL: Conclusion (Page 508) Summarizes the findings of the book, reflecting on the commonalities between biblical myths and those of other religions. Appendix (Page 581) Contains additional notes, references, and materials supporting the analysis presented in the book. TAGS BELOW : • Creation, 2. Fall of Man, 3. Genesis, 4. Flood, 5. Noah's Ark, 6. Babel, 7. Abraham, 8. Isaac, 9. Jacob, 10. Moses, 11. Ten Commandments, 12. Exodus, 13. Samson, 14. Jonah, 15. Circumcision, 16. Virgin Birth, 17. Bethlehem, 18. Magi, 19. Herod, 20. Temptation, 21. Crucifixion, 22. Resurrection, 23. Ascension, 24. Millennium, 25. Trinity, 26. Eucharist, 27. Baptism, 28. Virgin Mary, 29. Paganism, 30. Pagan Symbols, 31. Divine Child, 32. Angelic Host, 33. Slaughter of Innocents, 34. Star of Bethlehem, 35. Alpha and Omega, 36. Creator, 37. Christ Jesus, 38. Jesus Christ, 39. Old Testament, 40. New Testament, 41. Bible Myths, 42. Mythology, 43. Sacred Stories, 44. Archetypes, 45. Ancient Religions, 46. Heathen Nations, 47. Comparative Religion, 48. Spiritual Traditions, 49. Religious History, 50. Apocrypha, 51. Pseudepigrapha, 52. Sacred Texts, 53. Ancient Near East, 54. Sumerian Myths, 55. Babylonian Myths, 56. Egyptian Myths, 57. Greek Myths, 58. Roman Myths, 59. Zoroastrianism, 60. Mithraism, 61. Eleusinian Mysteries, 62. Osiris, 63. Isis, 64. Horus, 65. Set, 66. Ra, 67. Anubis, 68. Thoth, 69. Gilgamesh, 70. Enkidu, 71. Tammuz, 72. Inanna, 73. Marduk, 74. Ishtar, 75. Astarte, 76. Baal, 77. Asherah, 78. Yahweh, 79. Elohim, 80. Jehovah, 81. Adonai, 82. El Shaddai, 83. Angelology, 8...
Mystery Religions and their Influence on the New Testament and Early Christianity
Mystery Religions and their Influence on the New Testament and Early Christianity, 2022
This article discusses mystery religions and how they influenced the New Testament and early Christianity. It is a library research and is descriptive in nature. Data was gathered from books, journal articles, and internet sources. The research findings reveal that mystery religions influenced the New Testament to the extent that the knowledge derived from it sheds more light on the background of some New Testament texts, such as John 12:24 and Matthew 17:1-13. Also, some practices in the New Testament times, such as baptism, meal fellowship, the veiling of women, and other early Christian practices, were influenced by mystery religions. Both the mystery religions and New Testament contain the same linguistic form. Therefore, this article recommends that mystery religions be studied to gain background knowledge of particular texts in the New Testament. Also, the language in mystery religious texts can be examined since it can aid the understanding of New Testament writings at times.