Christianity in Pagan Culture

Christianity in Pagan Culture So who was Jesus really? Opening Question  How was your day this past Tuesday? Opening Question  How was your day this past Tuesday? June 6, 2006 = “6/6/6”  What is your definition of “superstition”? What is a superstition? Dictionary.com definition:  An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome  A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance Superstition vs. Faith  What is the distinction between “superstition” and “faith”? Faith Dictionary.com definition:  Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing  Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence Faith Hebrews 11:1  Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Faith, according to DVC Dr. Robert Langdon (DVC, Ch. 82)  “Sophie, every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith – acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove.  “Every religion describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration, from the early Egyptians through modern Sunday school. Faith, according to DVC  “Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problems arise when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors.” …  “Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical.” …  “Religious allegory has become part of the fabric of reality. And living in that reality helps millions of people cope and be better people.” Today’s Focus Is Christianity a fabrication? 1. Is Christianity just a hodge-podge of pagan practices predating Jesus Christ? 2. Who is Jesus really? Christianity, a copycat? Teabing and Langdon (DVC, Ch. 55)  “Nothing in Christianity is original.  “The pre-Christian God Mithras – called the Son of God and the Light of the World – was born on December 25, died, was buried in a rock tomb, and then resurrected in three days.  “By the way, December 25 is also the birthday of Osiris, Adonis, and Dionysus. The newborn Krishna was presented with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Christianity, a copycat?  “Even Christianity’s weekly holy day was stolen from the pagans.”  “Originally,… Christian honored the Jewish Sabbath of Saturday, but Constantine shifted it to coincide with the pagan’s veneration day of the sun.”  “By fusing pagan symbols, dates, and rituals into the growing Christian tradition, he [Constantine] created a kind of hybrid religion that was acceptable to both parties.” Christianity, a copycat? Summary of DVC’s claims:  Fundamental Christian beliefs about Jesus are the result of identity theft  Sunday worship originates from the pagan sun god’s worship (“Sun”-day) Reason  Marketing strategy: Constantine’s attempt at solidifying power by unifying Rome under one official religion – Christianity About Constantine From Class #3 (http://sermons.cmtx.org):  First Christian Roman emperor, conversion in 312 AD (at Battle of Milvian Bridge)  The Edict of Milan (313 AD) removed penalties for professing Christianity  However, Christianity (or any religion) was never the “official religion of Rome” Evidence for Sunday Worship “Originally,… Christian honored the Jewish Sabbath of Saturday.”  Biblical References (1st century) – “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7) – “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (1 Corinthians 16:2) – In Revelations 1:10 records that the first day of the week had come to be called “The Lord’s Day” to distinguish it from the Sabbath. Evidence for Sunday Worship Justin Martyr (100–165 AD)  “And on the day called Sunday, there is a gathering together to one place of all those who live in cities or in the country, and the memories of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits.” Veneration Day of the Sun? “Constantine shifted it [the Sabbath] to coincide with the pagan’s veneration day of the sun.”  Sunday was the feast day of the Sol Invictus cult  Sol Invictus’s worship of the pagan sun god had appeared in the Roman world around the middle of the 2nd century  It was strongly supported by Emperor Aurelian (270-275 AD) Jesus = Mithras? Mithraism  Conflicting beliefs are associated with the cult of Mithras – Followers did not keep written documents but passed on their religion through secret rituals  Mithras is generally believed to be the god of the ancient Persians and Aryans of India  Available evidence shows it did not gained a foothold in Rome until after 100 AD More on Mithraism  Richard Gordon, Mithraic scholar – There is “no death, burial, and resurrection of Mithras. None” – No Mithraic literature claims that Mithras is Light of the World or Son of God  Dr. Edwin Lutzer, The Da Vinci Deception – “The cult of Mithras was continually evolving, adapting itself to the needs of a particular group or culture”  Justin Martyr, – Referred to the “Mithraic meal as a satanic imitation of the Lord’s Supper” Who Copied Whom?  Dating is the key – The Old Testament predicted Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection well before any of the pagan mystery religions  With Christianity gaining popularity, it is evident that other religions adopted Christian teachings or practices to attract or win back adherents December 25?  No one knows for sure it Jesus was really born on December 25th – Many believe He was born on the 25th of a month, but the month is uncertain  The Roman church fixed this day as the birthday of Jesus in 310 AD – Because it was already a holiday, a pagan feast, in ancient times – Christ Mass (later called Christmas) was first celebrated in 354 AD – It did not become universal until the 5th century Christian-Pagan Integration  Integration of Christian observances and pagan customs most likely did take place – It goes both ways – It happens even today: consider contemporary Christian music, media, art etc…  Key question: Has this affected our view of who Jesus really was? Jesus – A Hot Commodity?  Austin-American Statesman (May 28, 2006): The Chronicles of Narnia Who was Jesus Really?  Why is the Da Vinci Code so successful? – Well-written novel – People love conspiracy theories – Resonates with popular post-modern beliefs of neopaganism, “do-it-yourself” spirituality in Gnosticism, the scholarly quest for the “historical Jesus” • The Jesus Seminar Jesus according to DVC  Jesus was a mortal prophet, a great powerful man, but only a man  Jesus divinity was the result of a close vote at the Council of Nicaea  The reason for making Jesus divine was for church and political power  The four Gospels in the Bible were chosen because they made Jesus godlike  Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had children “Build-a-Jesus” St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD)  “If you believe what you like in the gospel and reject what you don’t like, it’s not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” Who was Jesus Really? Discussion Question  We have shown the evidence against DVC’s portrait of Jesus  What evidence or reasoning would you give for the Christian belief of the divine and resurrected Jesus Christ? Jesus’ Divinity  Claims by Himself – – – – Matthew 28:18-20 Mark 2:5-7 Luke 23:42-43 John 5:23-24, 8:19, 8:58-59, 14:1, 16:6-11, 19:7, 10:29-34  Claims by His followers – Thomas – John 20:28 – John – John 1:1-14, 1 John 5:20 – Paul – Romans 9:5, Philippians 2:6-11, Colossians 1:15-17, 2 Corinthians 13:14 Jesus’ Resurrection  Jesus predicted it – Matthew 12:38-40, 16:21, 17:9, 17:22-23, 20:18-19, 26:32, 27:63 – Mark 8:31-9:1, 9:10, 9:31, 10:32-34, 14:28, 58 – Luke 9:22-27 – John 2:18-22, 12:34, chapters 14-16  Messianic Prophecy – Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:2, Psalm 41:9, Matthew 26:49, Zechariah 11:12, Matthew 26:15, Isaiah 53:12, Matthew 27:38, Isaian 53:9, Matthew 27:57-60 No Middle Ground!  Based on Jesus’ claims in the Bible, one can never conclude that He is simply a great moral teacher  He is either: – Who He claims to be – A greatest liar or lunatic who ever lived  C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Superstition vs. Faith Superstition (“Blind Faith”)  A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance. Faith  Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. Wrapping Up The Da Vinci Code Discover Group Purpose-Driven Course  What was the reason you took this DG course? Review of Topics 1. The World Premiere: So what is the big deal? 2. Cloak and Dagger: Conspiracies, legends & secret societies 3. The Constantine Bible: Was the Bible created by one man? 4. Jesus on Trial: Did the Council of Nicea vote to make Jesus God? 5. The Holy Grail: Was Jesus married to Mary Magdalene? 6. Christianity in Pagan culture: So who was Jesus really? Why Should We Care?  If we do nothing, then it says: – We virtually concede that Dan Brown was right – We are unwilling to be relevant and to engage in a pressing dialogue about our faith.  We need to prepare Christians to intelligently and graciously present the evidence concerning Brown’s claims about Christianity’s integrity  We have an unprecedented opportunity to talk to many many people about the evidence for Christianity Starting Spiritual Dialogues Rev. Dr. David Geisler  “Key Questions Concerning the Da Vinci Code to Use in Evangelism” – www.meeknessandtruth.org Resources  Books – Josh McDowell: A Quest of Answer: The Da Vinci Code – Erwin W. Lutzer: The Da Vinci Deception  Web Sites – – – – Dave Geisler: www.meeknessandtruth.org Josh McDowell: www.pcgmedia.org/davincianswers.html Darrell Bock: www.nbctexas.org/media/davinci.htm Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_Vinci_Code (Spoilers alert!) – Google: www.google.com, search for “Da Vinci Code”