The Christian legend, with its stories of Jesus Christ's birth, death, and resurrection, has deep roots in pagan traditions. Many of the key elements of the Christian narrative can be traced back to ancient religions that predate Christianity. These pagan roots have shaped and influenced the development of Christian mythology and symbolism. One of the most prominent pagan influences on the Christian legend is the story of the virgin birth. The concept of a god or goddess giving birth to a divine child without the intervention of a male partner is a theme that can be found in numerous ancient mythologies. In Egyptian mythology, for example, the goddess Isis was said to have conceived her son Horus through immaculate conception.
One of the most common accusations leveled against me by my favorite Twitter atheist, whom I only know by the pseudonym “Thomas Doubtmoore”, is that I am not qualified to determine the veracity of my own faith. Mr. Doubtmoore has sent me several dozen tweets in which he points to the history of religion and pagan mythology that predates Jesus by millennia as the true source of the Christian faith, claiming mankind made it all up. To wit:
Stephen Miller is a visual arts and theology scholar who has been fascinated with researching this subject since studying for his Master s degree in Christianity and the Arts at King s College London in association with the National Gallery, London. Most analyses of the origin of the word Easter agree that it was named after Eostre, an ancient word meaning spring , though many European languages use one form or another of the Latin name for Easter, Pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew Pesach, meaning Passover.
In Egyptian mythology, for example, the goddess Isis was said to have conceived her son Horus through immaculate conception. Similarly, in Greek mythology, the goddess Athena was believed to have been born from the head of Zeus. The idea of a divine figure dying and being resurrected is another common element in pagan religions.
The Green Man in Medieval England: Christian Shoots from Pagan Roots
This beautifully illustrated landmark book (with more than five dozen specially commissioned original colour photographs) compellingly connects the Green Man phenomenon in medieval England to a specific Christian meaning and understanding rather than a mysterious and undefined pagan one. The meaning and significance attached to such Green Man depictions would have been apparent to almost all churchgoing medieval folk, from the patrons who commissioned them and the stonemasons and woodcarvers who created them, to the monks, clergy and worshipping community well-versed in biblical stories and associated Christian lore and legend that helped to flesh out and illuminate Scripture—stories and legends long-since forgotten by the majority today. The visual narrative contained in the art and craft of medieval churches brought such stories to life in a meaningful way for everyone, the literate and illiterate alike.
Drawing on a wealth of extant examples, the book connects Green Man iconography with the Christian legends and hagiographies of Adam, the Garden of Eden, the Quest of Seth, and the various legends of the cross, contained in such medieval writings as Jacobus Voragine’s, The Golden Legend and Honorius of Autun’s Imago mundi. The author has visited a large sample of medieval cathedrals and parish churches throughout the length and breadth of England in his search of such illustrative evidence and offers a selection of those findings and conclusions here.
Stephen Miller is a visual arts and theology scholar who has been fascinated with researching this subject since studying for his Master’s degree in Christianity and the Arts at King’s College London (in association with the National Gallery, London). He has contributed to a number of academic journals, and is the author of the books, The Word Made Visible in the Painted Image (2016) and The Book of Angels: Seen and Unseen (2019). His research interests focus on the theology of images.
“Stephen Miller, a visual-arts and theology scholar, has presented the evidence that the Green Man is traceable to apocryphal Christian (and Jewish) texts about the Garden of Eden, hagiographies pertaining to Adam, legends about the making of Christ’s cross, and such medieval texts as The Golden Legend of Jacobus de Voragine and the Imago Mundi of Honorius of Autun. Along with his careful research into the meaning of the motif, he has provided a sort of guidebook to a selection of locations around Britain where the many versions of the image can be seen. Perhaps most stunning of all are the 69 colour plates that provide the centrepiece of this attractive volume, the photographic work of his daughter, Lucy Alexandra Miller.”
Addison Hodges Hart
The Church Times, 21 October, 2022
“While Miller makes a strong case for his understanding of the Green Man, he also recognizes how the importation of this established Christian motif into England with the Norman conquest would have been received and appreciated within a new culture where a variety of Celtic and Norse pagan figures and images remained and would have influenced the stonemasons and woodcarvers who copied this image into so many new churches. Miller considers a wonderful range of previous scholarship and allows for some of the typical Christian appreciation of pagan stories and characters in the reception of the Green Man within the English context. In one of many delightful details, Miller explores connections with Tolkien’s work, giving particular attention to Tom Bombadil (53-54). [. ] Most inspiring to me was Miller’s obvious appreciation for the wonders of the “medieval Christian legend-making mind at work” (45).”
Jesse Hake
Easter is a festival and holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world who honor the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred three days after his crucifixion at Calvary. It is also the day that children excitedly wait for the Easter bunny to arrive and deliver their treats of chocolate eggs.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, for instance, the god Dionysus was said to have been killed and then brought back to life. This idea of a dying and resurrected god was also present in the ancient Egyptian religion, with the myth of Osiris. In this myth, Osiris was murdered by his brother, but was later resurrected by his sister-wife Isis. The use of symbols and rituals associated with pagan religions is another way in which the Christian legend reflects its pagan roots. For example, the Christian cross is believed to have been adapted from the ancient Egyptian ankh symbol, which represents eternal life. Similarly, the use of candles, incense, and processions in Christian worship can be traced back to ancient pagan rituals. These pagan influences on the Christian legend should not be seen as a threat to the authenticity or validity of Christian beliefs. Instead, they serve as a reminder of the rich tapestry of human religious experience and the ways in which different cultures have sought to express their understanding of the divine. The incorporation of pagan elements into Christianity illustrates the ability of religious traditions to adapt and evolve over time, while still maintaining their core beliefs and teachings. In conclusion, the Christian legend has deep pagan roots that can be seen in its stories, symbols, and rituals. The concept of the virgin birth, the idea of a dying and resurrected god, and the use of pagan symbols and rituals are all elements that can be traced back to ancient religions that predate Christianity. These pagan influences serve as a reminder of the rich diversity of human religious experience and the ways in which different cultures have sought to understand and express their beliefs..
Reviews for "Myth and Religion: Unearthing the Pagan Roots of Christian Tradition"
- John Doe - 1 star
I found "Pagan roots of the christian legend" to be poorly researched and full of incorrect information. The author seemed to have a biased agenda and cherry-picked examples to support their arguments. The book lacked depth and failed to provide a balanced analysis of the topic. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking accurate and unbiased information on the subject.
- Jane Smith - 2 stars
While "Pagan roots of the christian legend" had an interesting premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The book was filled with speculative theories and unsubstantiated claims, which made it hard to take the author seriously. The writing style was also dry and convoluted, making it difficult to engage with the material. Overall, I was disappointed with the book and would not recommend it to others.
- Robert Johnson - 1 star
I found "Pagan roots of the christian legend" to be a complete waste of time. The author recycled tired and debunked arguments that have been refuted by scholars for years. It was clear that the book had an agenda to discredit Christianity without providing any substantial evidence. The lack of citations and reliance on outdated sources were also major drawbacks. I would advise readers to look elsewhere for a more credible and balanced exploration of this topic.
- Sarah Thompson - 1 star
"Pagan roots of the christian legend" was a frustrating read. The author's arguments were weak and lacked depth. They made sweeping generalizations without much substantiation, which undermined their credibility. I also found the writing style to be dull and repetitive, which made it hard to stay engaged with the material. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.