philechat

From Ovid's "Metamorphoses":

"So now the prophetic frenzy gripped her mind, and the god's presense set her breast aglow. She looked upon the babe, and said, 'grow and prosper, my child, you who are destined to bring health to all the world. Often mortal men will owe their lives to you, and you will be granted the right to restore those who are already dead; till, in one case, you will incur the gods' displeasure by daring to do so, and will be prevented by your grandfather's bolt from ever again bestowing such a boon. From an immortal god you will be reduced to a lifeless corpse, but later, from being a corpse, you will be raised up to be a god again, and will twice renew your destiny."


The "dying-and-rising savior" motif is all here in this very short passage. Not only is the babe "immortal" before death, he will "be raised up to be a god again". He is also credited for the ability to heal humans and restore life.

Need I say more?

Thieving Magpie

Yes.. that whole idea has been around just about forever.. believe me, you are not the first, nor the last to notice it.

However, make sure you aren't using the Pro Causa Non Causa fallacy, if you are trying to make an argument of this.

philechat

No. I don't think "The Metamorphoses" is the direct source of NT writings. I am just thinking that in Ovid's time the "dying-and-rising immortal" motif must be everywhere in Roman society, and that the story of JC's rising is in no aspect unique at all.

Amos

In Catholicism each believer is asked to pick up his or her cross and follow Jesus so we can die and rise with him in the same order. This is possible because metamorphosis is archetypal reality that is native to mankind.