The Mystery-Religions and Christianity

by Samuel Angus

Classic study offers understanding of ancient religious cults, their appeal and eventual failure in the face of Christianity. Eleusinian Mysteries of Greece; Attis and Magna Mater; Dionysian groups; Egyptian Cults of Isis and Osiris; and others.

Genres: Religion, History

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1989

Reviews

[Adam]

Fascinating work of scholarship I dog-eared near to oblivion for reasons which include the semiotics of the taurobolium, the apotheosis of demortalizing, and (my beloved Blake's) Gnosticism and its relation to the message of Christ (to name but only three, a number quietly referenced with regularity). Took awhile to read. On every page awaits untranslated Latin, Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, French, and German. I had a translator open for all of it, and ended up enjoying the scavenger hunt.

[Michael Braithwaite]

Ok ok ok, this was first published in 1925 which may explain some of the blazing errors in interpretation and historical accuracy with regards to Greek and Roman culture leading up to the formation of Mystery Religions and Christianity. In general, this is an interesting read, but clearly has some sort of objective when it comes to historical revisionism. I'd say read it, but take it with a grain of salt or with a book on Greco-Roman culture handy to balance it out.

[Jac castro]

Incredible survey of the major world Philosophies and Religions and how they are nothing but imitations of the Real Christianity. The book is full of references and lots of religious words that you learn to appreciate as Angus vividly strives to give justice to the longings of the hearts of the followers of these religions. 5 stars to this book. Unique in its field.