Featured Theory — the Greek “mystery religion” version of Christianity was already widespread at the time of Paul’s travels.
- Thread starter Multicolored Lemur
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Scooter
Well-known member
- Feb 21, 2024
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Based on what evidence? What is this “mystery religion”? What makes you believe Paul believed in this mystery religion? Again, are you just making up stuff as you go?
Scooter
Well-known member
- Feb 21, 2024
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Who? Who are these people who wondered if Christianity came from some Greek mystery religion? Here’s what Google AI stated when I queried about Christianity coming from a Greek mystery religion:
So what is your answer?
AgnosticBoy
Open-minded Skeptic
It's entirely possible that Christianity borrowed from other religions to some degree. Theologically speaking, some of it would be based on Judaism or the Old Testament.So, Paul’s 1st journey was overwhelmingly in what we’d call present-day Turkey, quite a ways from Jerusalem. I conclude that the beliefs, practices, how we define various emotions, etc, etc, of what was to become mainstream Christianity— all this was already pretty far along!
I am NOT an expert in ancient history.
But if I had to guess, I say the mystery religion was already rolling 150 years before Paul’s start date of 44 AD. This would be 106 BC. Or, let’s say 100 BC for a round number.
But please do explain your thinking more. Is your view that the places that Paul travelled is some indication that he was exposed to other religions that then influenced him and his views? I think Paul would've encountered a lot of other beliefs. Didn't the NT writers write about pagan practices?
Book of Acts chapter 17...
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him.
I mean the opposite.
On the Road to Damascus, a blinding light struck Saul (Paul) to the ground and he heard a voice saying, Why are you persecuting me? [this could have been an epilepsy seizure, who knows what it really was] It was an intense experience.
He was led blind into Damascus. And there, a disciple named Ananias restored his sight and baptized him.
So, Paul’s views were very well-formed by the time he went out traveling on his 4 Big journeys.
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Nope, I wish I could take credit for this. But a lot of people have talked about “Greek mystery religions.” I guess people who more tend to be skeptics and non-believers.
I’m just saying . . . Looking at the extent of Paul’s Big 4 travels, perhaps proto-Christianity was pretty far along.
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Fourth Journey
Paul was already a prisoner in Israel. He asserted his rights as a Roman citizen to a trial in Rome (or maybe even to present his case personally to Caesar).
There was a shipwreck off Malta, which is shown on the map by the most southern of the four Stars of David.
Bible Gateway passage: Acts 7 - New Living Translation
Stephen Addresses the Council - Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these accusations true?” This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. God told him, ‘Leave your native land and...
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”
57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.
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By watching over the coats, Paul did a favor to the men who were committing a murder. Therefore, Paul was involved in the murder.
It was a big deal.
If you only do a little bit of it, maybe you feel tremendously guilty. If you keep doing it, maybe you get used to it.
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Bible Gateway passage: Acts 8 - New Living Translation
Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. Persecution Scatters the Believers - A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and...
1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
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Perhaps a somewhat more extensive career persecuting Christians.
[and in all honesty, we don’t know how much of this is after-the-fact narrative to tie the whole thing together]
