Did New Testament Christianity borrow from ancient pagan
mystery cults such as Mithraism?[1]
Attempts have been made to discredit Christianity or to cast doubt upon
its veracity by alleging that it simply borrowed its ideas from the Mithraic
mystery religion. For this allegation to
have substance, one must prove: 1.) That Mithraism predates Christianity; 2.)
Minimally, that adherents of Mithraism had direct contact with the stories,
rituals, and beliefs to clearly display real
and significant parallels, and
that there are no better
candidates that serve as a model for understanding nascent Christianity, and
3.) Maximally, that there is an oral or literary dependence of the latter on
the former.
mystery cults such as Mithraism?[1]
Attempts have been made to discredit Christianity or to cast doubt upon
its veracity by alleging that it simply borrowed its ideas from the Mithraic
mystery religion. For this allegation to
have substance, one must prove: 1.) That Mithraism predates Christianity; 2.)
Minimally, that adherents of Mithraism had direct contact with the stories,
rituals, and beliefs to clearly display real
and significant parallels, and
that there are no better
candidates that serve as a model for understanding nascent Christianity, and
3.) Maximally, that there is an oral or literary dependence of the latter on
the former.
Can advocates of New Testament dependence upon Mithraism
establish points one through three above?
First, archaeology indicates that the earliest Mithraic temples or
mithraeum in the Roman Empire post-date the rise of Christianity by over a
century. The earliest known Mithraic
inscription also dates to the second century.
Christianity cannot be dependent upon Mithraism because there is no
evidence for the Mithraic mysteries prior to A. D. 100. Furthermore, when evidence for the mystery
religion begins to appear, it is almost entirely absent from Judea or Palestine
where the New Testament was composed and the core doctrines of Christianity
were formulated. The only mithraeum
discovered in Palestine dates to the fourth century. Christianity could not have borrowed its
teachings from Mithraism because Christianity antedates the Mithraic mystery
religion in the Roman Empire.
establish points one through three above?
First, archaeology indicates that the earliest Mithraic temples or
mithraeum in the Roman Empire post-date the rise of Christianity by over a
century. The earliest known Mithraic
inscription also dates to the second century.
Christianity cannot be dependent upon Mithraism because there is no
evidence for the Mithraic mysteries prior to A. D. 100. Furthermore, when evidence for the mystery
religion begins to appear, it is almost entirely absent from Judea or Palestine
where the New Testament was composed and the core doctrines of Christianity
were formulated. The only mithraeum
discovered in Palestine dates to the fourth century. Christianity could not have borrowed its
teachings from Mithraism because Christianity antedates the Mithraic mystery
religion in the Roman Empire.
Second, alleged parallels between Christianity and the
practices of Mithraism are greatly exaggerated.
Modern advocates of Mithraic parallels allege that Mithra experienced a
virgin birth, died in a manner similar to Christ, and rose from the dead. Christianity also allegedly borrowed baptism
and the Lord’s Supper from Mithraism.
practices of Mithraism are greatly exaggerated.
Modern advocates of Mithraic parallels allege that Mithra experienced a
virgin birth, died in a manner similar to Christ, and rose from the dead. Christianity also allegedly borrowed baptism
and the Lord’s Supper from Mithraism.
However, Mithraic art never depicts a virgin birth for
Mithra. He springs naked from a rock, or
alternatively the zodiac, or an egg, while holding a torch and a knife. Furthermore, no clear references to the death
of Mithras can be found in either Mithraic art or surviving literary sources. Just as there is no evidence for the death of
Mithras, there is no evidence for his resurrection, for the latter is
inconceivable without the former. The concept of rebirth (cf. John 3:3) is also
absent from early Mithraism. The gradual
identification of Mithras with Sol takes place too late to have any impact on
early Christianity, as does the belief in an astrological ascent of the soul.
Mithra. He springs naked from a rock, or
alternatively the zodiac, or an egg, while holding a torch and a knife. Furthermore, no clear references to the death
of Mithras can be found in either Mithraic art or surviving literary sources. Just as there is no evidence for the death of
Mithras, there is no evidence for his resurrection, for the latter is
inconceivable without the former. The concept of rebirth (cf. John 3:3) is also
absent from early Mithraism. The gradual
identification of Mithras with Sol takes place too late to have any impact on
early Christianity, as does the belief in an astrological ascent of the soul.
Is
Mithraism the source for the Christian ordinance of baptism, the immersion of
the believer in water as a sign of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection? On rare occasions, post-Christian Mithraism
practiced a ritual bath in the blood of a bull, but since this practice did not
exist in the religion before A. D. 160, all extant references to it were in
parts of the Roman empire in the west, far removed from Palestine, and the
ritual bath included no notion of a death and resurrection, allegations that
this practice was the source of Christian baptism are not credible. Does Mithraism provide the source for the
ordinance of the Lord’s Supper? While a
common meal was practiced as a rite in Mithraism, parallels to the Christian
practice of the Lord’s Supper are extremely questionable. First, there is no evidence that the Mithraic
communal meal was practiced by all initiates.
Second, bread eaten at the Mithraic meal represented the blood of a bull
slain by Mithra in hunting, not the blood of Mithra himself. There is no evidence at all of Christian
dependence upon the Mithraic common meal, and parallels between the Christian
communion rite and Mithraism are, at best, highly tenuous and dubious.
Mithraism the source for the Christian ordinance of baptism, the immersion of
the believer in water as a sign of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection? On rare occasions, post-Christian Mithraism
practiced a ritual bath in the blood of a bull, but since this practice did not
exist in the religion before A. D. 160, all extant references to it were in
parts of the Roman empire in the west, far removed from Palestine, and the
ritual bath included no notion of a death and resurrection, allegations that
this practice was the source of Christian baptism are not credible. Does Mithraism provide the source for the
ordinance of the Lord’s Supper? While a
common meal was practiced as a rite in Mithraism, parallels to the Christian
practice of the Lord’s Supper are extremely questionable. First, there is no evidence that the Mithraic
communal meal was practiced by all initiates.
Second, bread eaten at the Mithraic meal represented the blood of a bull
slain by Mithra in hunting, not the blood of Mithra himself. There is no evidence at all of Christian
dependence upon the Mithraic common meal, and parallels between the Christian
communion rite and Mithraism are, at best, highly tenuous and dubious.
It
is true that the date for the Christmas holy day as celebrated in Roman
Catholicism was adopted from paganism, as were the dates of many other Roman
Catholic holy days. However, the Bible
never affirms that December 25 was the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ, nor
was Christmas brought into the developing Catholic religion until centuries
after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the composition of the New
Testament, and the crystallization of Christian doctrine. It is one thing to demonstrate pagan
influence upon Roman Catholicism centuries after the rise of Christianity when
the Roman Catholic religion united with the Roman government. It is quite another to demonstrate pagan
origins for Biblical Christianity itself.[2]
is true that the date for the Christmas holy day as celebrated in Roman
Catholicism was adopted from paganism, as were the dates of many other Roman
Catholic holy days. However, the Bible
never affirms that December 25 was the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ, nor
was Christmas brought into the developing Catholic religion until centuries
after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the composition of the New
Testament, and the crystallization of Christian doctrine. It is one thing to demonstrate pagan
influence upon Roman Catholicism centuries after the rise of Christianity when
the Roman Catholic religion united with the Roman government. It is quite another to demonstrate pagan
origins for Biblical Christianity itself.[2]
In
summary, the issue of Christian borrowing from Mithraism hinges on the issue of
chronology. If the chronological priority of Mithraism is shown to be wrong,
the entire issue is a moot point. Strong evidence indicates that the
development of Mithraism in the Roman Empire was chronologically later, not
earlier, than the advent of Christianity. Furthermore, even apart from the tremendous
chronological problem, a causal connection would need to be established to
prove that Christianity took its doctrines from Mithraism. To posit such a connection contradicts the
facts of history. Finally, a careful look at proposed similarities between Mithraic
stories and rituals and Christianity demonstrates that clear exaggeration has
taken place by advocates of parallelism.
summary, the issue of Christian borrowing from Mithraism hinges on the issue of
chronology. If the chronological priority of Mithraism is shown to be wrong,
the entire issue is a moot point. Strong evidence indicates that the
development of Mithraism in the Roman Empire was chronologically later, not
earlier, than the advent of Christianity. Furthermore, even apart from the tremendous
chronological problem, a causal connection would need to be established to
prove that Christianity took its doctrines from Mithraism. To posit such a connection contradicts the
facts of history. Finally, a careful look at proposed similarities between Mithraic
stories and rituals and Christianity demonstrates that clear exaggeration has
taken place by advocates of parallelism.
Rather
than highly dubious parallels with Mithraism explaining the background and
doctrines of Christianity, Christianity had its birth and development within
the context of first century Judaism. Unlike
the mythical god Mithras, the life of the historical Jesus is documented
extremely well, and every key event in His life fulfills predictions in the
Hebrew Scriptures. Rather than being a
product of pagan mythology, the New Testament records historically accurate
events through which the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament
prophecies of the coming Messiah.
than highly dubious parallels with Mithraism explaining the background and
doctrines of Christianity, Christianity had its birth and development within
the context of first century Judaism. Unlike
the mythical god Mithras, the life of the historical Jesus is documented
extremely well, and every key event in His life fulfills predictions in the
Hebrew Scriptures. Rather than being a
product of pagan mythology, the New Testament records historically accurate
events through which the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament
prophecies of the coming Messiah.
As for the rituals and traditions of the early church,
they too had their source in the one culture that had the most direct impact on
early Christianity, Judaism. The
initiation of the Lord’s Supper was in the direct context of the Jewish
Passover meal. The sacrificial aspect of the death of Christ should likewise be
understood in light of temple sacrifice, and Old Testament images of the
substitutionary atonement and the scapegoat. As
for origins of the Christian baptism, one need look no further than first
century Judaism and the ministry of John the Baptist.
they too had their source in the one culture that had the most direct impact on
early Christianity, Judaism. The
initiation of the Lord’s Supper was in the direct context of the Jewish
Passover meal. The sacrificial aspect of the death of Christ should likewise be
understood in light of temple sacrifice, and Old Testament images of the
substitutionary atonement and the scapegoat. As
for origins of the Christian baptism, one need look no further than first
century Judaism and the ministry of John the Baptist.
The idea that the New
Testament borrowed or was dependent upon pagan mystery cults such as Mithraism
is clearly a radically inaccurate evaluation of the historical data. Rather than the life of Christ and the records
of the New Testament being legendary accounts because of their alleged
dependence on Mithraism, the idea that Mithraism is the source of Biblical
Christian doctrine and practice is itself a legend and a fable, no more real
than the mythical god Mithra himself.
Testament borrowed or was dependent upon pagan mystery cults such as Mithraism
is clearly a radically inaccurate evaluation of the historical data. Rather than the life of Christ and the records
of the New Testament being legendary accounts because of their alleged
dependence on Mithraism, the idea that Mithraism is the source of Biblical
Christian doctrine and practice is itself a legend and a fable, no more real
than the mythical god Mithra himself.
This study can also be accessed here.
[1] The following study is greatly abridged from “The Mithraic Cult and
Christian Origins,” Allan Di Donato, Christian
Apologetics Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, Spring 2007, 21-53. The 167 footnotes in the original article
provide extensive evidence from ancient sources. Professor Donato is an instructor in
Humanities at a State college in Charlotte, NC.
Christian Origins,” Allan Di Donato, Christian
Apologetics Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, Spring 2007, 21-53. The 167 footnotes in the original article
provide extensive evidence from ancient sources. Professor Donato is an instructor in
Humanities at a State college in Charlotte, NC.
[2]
Compare the resources on the
unbiblical and unauthoritative nature of Catholic holy days at http:/faithsaves.net/ecclesiology/.
Compare the resources on the
unbiblical and unauthoritative nature of Catholic holy days at http:/faithsaves.net/ecclesiology/.
Dear Dr. Ross ,
Hope you're doing well, as always spot on, another excellent article for defense of the faith, it's truly amazing how many times atheists or unbelievers try to use this as proof of Christianity being wrong, and also, something called zeitgeist, to attack true Biblical Historical Christianity! Great work as always, very much needed and very helpful, thanks for your time and support here for all of us! May GOD bless you with many, many, more years of fruitful service to us all, and with health love joy and peace always in Jesus name amen! Have a blessed day and weekend.
Dear John Mark,
Thank you.