Unraveling the Myths: What Sets Jesus Apart
Critics of Christianity have long pointed out similarities between Christian beliefs and pre-Christian myths. From the ancient philosopher Celsus to modern scholars like Marvin Meyer and Robert Price, many have argued that the miraculous events in the Gospels, such as the virgin birth and resurrection, are borrowed from earlier religions. But is this really the case?
Surface-Level Similarities
It’s true that ancient myths feature stories of death and rebirth, such as those of Osiris, Adonis, Attis, and Horus. These parallels can be striking, leading some to wonder if the New Testament stories of Jesus are simply a rehashing of earlier myths. But when we dig deeper, the differences become clear.
Three Key Distinctions
Firstly, the parallels aren’t as parallel as they seem. A closer examination of ancient texts and artifacts reveals significant gaps between the stories of other gods and the accounts of Jesus. For example, despite claims that Horus was crucified and resurrected, no such story can be found in pre-Christian depictions or descriptions.
Secondly, many supposed parallels confuse affirmations in the New Testament Gospels with later Christian traditions. Take the word “Easter,” which some claim comes from the Sumerian goddess Ishtar. However, the word “Easter” is more likely derived from an Indo-European root meaning “rising,” and its origins have nothing to do with the historicity of any event in the New Testament.
Thirdly, even if some parallels do exist, they could be rooted in common human cultural practices. The theme of dying and rising in other religions was often tied to seasonal changes, whereas the resurrection described by Christians was a one-time event with no connection to agricultural cycles.
A Radically Different Birth Story
The birth of Jesus, as described in the New Testament Gospels, stands out from supposed parallels in Greco-Roman literature. While these stories often feature fantastical elements, the account of Mary’s unsuspected pregnancy has a realistic tone, with real people living in real times and places. As James Tabor, professor of early Christianity, notes, the narrative “rings true.”
God’s Revelation in Human Culture
Even if clear parallels did exist between the story of Jesus and previous religious expectations, this wouldn’t necessarily mean that the apostle Paul or the authors of the New Testament Gospels borrowed from other faiths. It could mean that God chose to reveal himself in ways that the people in that particular culture could comprehend. As C. S. Lewis so eloquently put it, “In the New Testament, the thing really happens… The old myth of the Dying God… comes down from the heaven of legend and imagination to the earth of history.”
In conclusion, while surface-level similarities between Christian beliefs and pre-Christian myths exist, a closer examination reveals significant differences that set Jesus apart.
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