JESUS a Historical Figure
Each year at this time, the media turn to ''religious scholars'' in an attempt to paint a different picture of the first Christmas, one that was invented by early Christians using existing mythology as their mold. While writers theorize that Christ's birth is rooted more in fable than in historical fact, they fail to mention that these doubt-inspiring disclaimers simply do not measure up to the scrutiny of historical investigation.
The premise behind these stories is that the early Christian beliefs about Jesus were just variations on older religious themes. Pagan ''mystery religions'' had emerged from Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultures, with teachings that focused on mythical hero-gods such as Osiris. Some writers suggest that Jesus was an invented figure, patterned after such gods.
It is hypothesized that Christian doctrines developed through a repackaging of existing legends. A recent Newsweek feature article asserts that the New Testament writers were ''confronted with a literary problem that had to be solved'' and thus created the story of Christ's birth. The apostle Paul is frequently cited as a likely reviser and partial ''founder'' of Christianity, allegedly having meshed prevalent paganism with teachings about Jesus. The implication is that the core beliefs of classical orthodoxy are inventions of men rather than revelation from God.
But consider the facts revealed upon closer examination: The New Testament deals with actual persons and historical events open to investigation. The mystery religions dealt with mythical figures, having no historical ties whatsoever. In contrast, Jesus' birth is tied to such things as real people (Herod of Judea), real places (Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth) and actual events (``a census by Caesar Augustus''), and it's corroborated by verifiable details (``when Quirinius was governor of Syria''). Further, none of the myth-based ancient religions ever claimed to be reported via eyewitnesses, as does the New Testament's presentation of Christ.
The belief that early Christians borrowed from the paganism of their times rests on the assumption that mystery religions were pervasive and influential in Palestine during the first century. But even the skeptical Albert Schweitzer concluded of those who interpret Christianity in this manner, ``They manufacture out of the various fragments of information a kind of universal mystery religion which never existed, least of all in Paul's day.''
C.S. Lewis rejected the mystery religion thesis, observing that Christianity originated ''in a circle where no trace of the nature religion was present.'' Religion scholar Mircea Eliade concluded, ``There is no reason to suppose that primitive Christianity was influenced by the Hellenistic mysteries.''
Christianity not a myth
Why is it important that we consider such things at this time? The difference between Christianity and ancient myth is worth noting because it illustrates how unique the Christian message truly is. Even 2,000 years ago, the mystery tales were known to be fables. On the other hand, Christmas reminds us that at a precise point in history, Christ came bearing the gift of Himself.
2 Peter 1:16 demonstrates the solid base on which Christian faith rests: ''For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.'' Here we have eyewitness testimony to actual events. It does not matter that many years separate us and the earliest Christians; we, too, may personally meet history's most important figure, who bears life's most relevant message.
The Gospels present a genuine Savior, demonstrating genuine love, coming to a world possessing genuine spiritual need. None of the so-called savior gods of the myths died for someone else. Do note, too, that Jesus died once and for all. The mystery religions portray gods that died repeatedly, depicting cycles of nature. Unlike the mythical heroes, Jesus died voluntarily, and His death was a triumph, not a defeat. Christ's death provided atonement for sin, a concept utterly foreign to the mystery religions.
Alex McFarland is the director of teen apologetics at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs
The premise behind these stories is that the early Christian beliefs about Jesus were just variations on older religious themes. Pagan ''mystery religions'' had emerged from Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultures, with teachings that focused on mythical hero-gods such as Osiris. Some writers suggest that Jesus was an invented figure, patterned after such gods.
It is hypothesized that Christian doctrines developed through a repackaging of existing legends. A recent Newsweek feature article asserts that the New Testament writers were ''confronted with a literary problem that had to be solved'' and thus created the story of Christ's birth. The apostle Paul is frequently cited as a likely reviser and partial ''founder'' of Christianity, allegedly having meshed prevalent paganism with teachings about Jesus. The implication is that the core beliefs of classical orthodoxy are inventions of men rather than revelation from God.
But consider the facts revealed upon closer examination: The New Testament deals with actual persons and historical events open to investigation. The mystery religions dealt with mythical figures, having no historical ties whatsoever. In contrast, Jesus' birth is tied to such things as real people (Herod of Judea), real places (Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth) and actual events (``a census by Caesar Augustus''), and it's corroborated by verifiable details (``when Quirinius was governor of Syria''). Further, none of the myth-based ancient religions ever claimed to be reported via eyewitnesses, as does the New Testament's presentation of Christ.
The belief that early Christians borrowed from the paganism of their times rests on the assumption that mystery religions were pervasive and influential in Palestine during the first century. But even the skeptical Albert Schweitzer concluded of those who interpret Christianity in this manner, ``They manufacture out of the various fragments of information a kind of universal mystery religion which never existed, least of all in Paul's day.''
C.S. Lewis rejected the mystery religion thesis, observing that Christianity originated ''in a circle where no trace of the nature religion was present.'' Religion scholar Mircea Eliade concluded, ``There is no reason to suppose that primitive Christianity was influenced by the Hellenistic mysteries.''
Christianity not a myth
Why is it important that we consider such things at this time? The difference between Christianity and ancient myth is worth noting because it illustrates how unique the Christian message truly is. Even 2,000 years ago, the mystery tales were known to be fables. On the other hand, Christmas reminds us that at a precise point in history, Christ came bearing the gift of Himself.
2 Peter 1:16 demonstrates the solid base on which Christian faith rests: ''For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.'' Here we have eyewitness testimony to actual events. It does not matter that many years separate us and the earliest Christians; we, too, may personally meet history's most important figure, who bears life's most relevant message.
The Gospels present a genuine Savior, demonstrating genuine love, coming to a world possessing genuine spiritual need. None of the so-called savior gods of the myths died for someone else. Do note, too, that Jesus died once and for all. The mystery religions portray gods that died repeatedly, depicting cycles of nature. Unlike the mythical heroes, Jesus died voluntarily, and His death was a triumph, not a defeat. Christ's death provided atonement for sin, a concept utterly foreign to the mystery religions.
Alex McFarland is the director of teen apologetics at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs
posted by R7 | 12/22/2004 07:35:00 PM
2 Comments:
Hi,
I am doing research for e-books on original gift ideas. That is how I ran into your blog JESUS a Historical Figure. Do you have any brilliant suggestion for a Christmas gift for a woman by any chance? I already have several books done and posted at http://www.100mostoriginalgiftideas.com but I am looking to upgrade some of the ideas for Christmas gifts. Thanks.
Hi R7,
I am a writer and I research gift ideas for e-books on original gift ideas for Christmas and other events like Valentine's, Easter etc. I also organize gift ideas per receiver, like for babies, for kids, for teens, for grandparents, for dog lovers, for him, for her, etc Or I organize them by category like romantic gifts and inexpensive gifts. In my research I also go through blogs that mention gifts and gift ideas or events like Christmas. That is how I came upon your blog this post. I would appreciate if you would share just one successful gift idea with me, for instance a Christmas gift for a mom. I hope that my question doesn't annoy you. And I apologize if it does. I thought if I'd just ask enough people I'd wind up with plenty of good ideas to share with others again. That is what networking is all about, right? Or let's call it the spirit of Christmas. Let me know if I can do something for you. You can find my free e-books with gift ideas here: http://www.100mostoriginalgiftideas.com. God bless.
Chevalier Blanc
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