LeeBuhrul

I've been slowly working my way through this fascinating book

Secret Origins of the Bible

Amazing albeit unsurprising historical perspective and detail

I wonder how many christians have the courage to read it through?

GakuseiDon

Is that the same kind of courage required to read Freke and Gandy's "Jesus Mysteries"?

Here is the Editorial Review for "Secret Origins":

• Clearly written and easily understandable by the lay reader.
• Thoroughly researched: author's points are backed by references in the writings of acknowledged scholars.
• Special features of the book: lavishly illustrated with multiple images in each illustration that show at a glance the mythic themes paralleling the bible.

This book demonstrates that the stories and themes of the Bible were part of the great mythic systems of the ancient world by using comparative mythology, tell tale verses in the Bible and archaeology. The abstract God of modern monotheistic Judaism, Christianity and Islam is a comparatively recent creation.

In later times the myth of a messianic deliverer was combined with that of the pagan god-man who suffered a horrible, excruciating death but was physically resurrected to produce the Christ myth.

Toto

The two books are very different in tone and purpose. Freke and Gandy are neo-Gnostic propagandists. Callahan is a student of comparative religions, and is not a mythicist as far as the historical Jesus goes.

LeeBuhrul

haven't t read Jesus Mysteries... care to ellaborate on yout point?

badger3k

They argue (IIRC - it's been a bit and I've read other works since then...) that the character of Jesus was mythical and based upon pagan deities. They start off with some assumptions (esp on an early origin of gnostic beliefs) and take it from there. I think they relate the story of Jesus as allegory from a Jewish-Pagan mystery religion that got subverted by those who believed that the myths were literally true.

I may have to read it again. I remember thinking that they had some interesting points and arguments, but it all seemed to be based upon some dubious assumptions that I do not think they provided enough evidence for. Still, it certainly encourages asking questions (at least for me) and stimulated again my interest in mythology.

This book sounds similar in outline - that the Abrahamic religion is built by borrowing other religions mythology (given the nature of the region, that's not surprising to me). I am always interested in such material - I gather that you recommend it?

edit -the amazon review of the book is here: Jesus Mysteries - sorry for the long link, I'm not sure how to format it to make it shorter.

ed link - Toto

LeeBuhrul

Yes I do recommend it and so far it seems based on far sounder assertions and history... It also makes sense out of some otherwise seemingly incoherent passages and statements in the bible

badger3k

Thanks - I'll have to check it out when I can afford it. And thanks Toto for fixing my link - I'm copying that to so I can use it in the future.

Spaz

I bought that a few months ago and finished reading it a month or so ago. I thought it did a good job of explaining symbols and anachronisms in the different scriptures. Sometimes it gets pretty tedious and boring (which is why it took a while to read, besides the pretty good size of the book), but for the most part it's very interesting.

The Great Speaker

I would read it, as I think it is good to read other peoples views even if you don't agree with them.

Whos to say that what he says is anymore than his opinion?

Just because he says something doesn't meen it is true, or for that matter can harm my own beliefs.

The Great Speaker has once again spoken! :notworthy

LeeBuhrul

most of this book has little to do with opinion... it's really a historical overview of biblical writings placed in context...

makes you look at the bible from a very different angle... which is why i don't expect many christians will have courage to read it