What do you think?
Rate this book
The Historical Jesus, and the Mythical Christ
Redefining the roots of Christianity via Egypt, this peculiar book, by British poet and Egyptologist GERARD MASSEY (1828-1907), will intrigue and delight readers of history, religion, and mythology. Massey connects the story of Jesus with far older tales, exploring. . pre-Christian Christology . Persian revelation . Horus as Ichthys, the Christ . Khunsu the expeller of Demons as Christ . Hermetic Sermon on the Mount . mysteries of the Solar God . the two dates of the Crucifixion . the seven women who fed Christ identified . Gospel of Truth, Egyptian . false teaching and the coming end of Equinoctial Christolatry . and much more.
252 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2006
About the author
Gerald Massey
396 books52 followersGerald Massey was an English poet and writer on Spiritualism and Ancient Egypt.
Although now largely overlooked, during the mid-Victorian era Massey was considered a significant poet, both in Britain, where he achieved the distinction of being awarded a civil list pension, and in North America, where he was published widely in both books and periodicals.
He wrote poetry which was favorably noticed by established poets such as Browning and Tennyson.
He was born in abject poverty in England and earned a living by working in a factory from the age of eight. He was almost entirely self-taught; yet, he was able to write and lecture about several subjects with tremendous erudition and authority. Despite his lack of formal education, Massey could read several languages.
In his later years he published four large volumes in which he tried to trace the origin of language, symbols, myths, and religions. The work was reminiscent of Godfrey Higgins (1772-1833). His final product was not well received during his lifetime, the idea of Africa as the birthplace of mankind being quite unacceptable in Victorian England. Thus A Book of the Beginnings (1881) and his other texts were largely ignored or ridiculed until later archaeological discoveries provided more solid evidence in support of Massey's themes.
Although now largely overlooked, during the mid-Victorian era Massey was considered a significant poet, both in Britain, where he achieved the distinction of being awarded a civil list pension, and in North America, where he was published widely in both books and periodicals.
He wrote poetry which was favorably noticed by established poets such as Browning and Tennyson.
He was born in abject poverty in England and earned a living by working in a factory from the age of eight. He was almost entirely self-taught; yet, he was able to write and lecture about several subjects with tremendous erudition and authority. Despite his lack of formal education, Massey could read several languages.
In his later years he published four large volumes in which he tried to trace the origin of language, symbols, myths, and religions. The work was reminiscent of Godfrey Higgins (1772-1833). His final product was not well received during his lifetime, the idea of Africa as the birthplace of mankind being quite unacceptable in Victorian England. Thus A Book of the Beginnings (1881) and his other texts were largely ignored or ridiculed until later archaeological discoveries provided more solid evidence in support of Massey's themes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 4, 2007
For anyone ready for the truth behind the Christ legend, prepare to have your eyes opened. The characteristics of the Christ man existed for millenia. The parables of Christ, the death and resurrection were all presaged in ancient Egypt. Gerald Massey, British genius, poet and Egyptologist, did painstaking research to stake his case. It would be hard to punch holes in his remarkable research, though many wishing to cling to the myth will make every effort to do so. As a former believing Catholic, I thank God every day for Gerald Massey. He took the scales from my eyes, and I realize that Christ is a man who had abilities which are in available to us all. In fact the man behind the myth is Jehoshua Ben Pandira who was stoned to death for practicing "sorcery". Early Church fathers decided to take the beliefs of Egypt and mold them and make them historical around Ben Pandira in order to compete with other relgions and garner power. To believe that a man named Jesus Christ was the only Son of God, or born of a Virgin, or actually resurrected from death -- well, it's a myth which can be traced back to the myths and religious thought of ancient Egypt where there was never resurrection on the physical plane, only on the spiritual plane, after death. And the Virgin Mother is a stand-in for Isis, and can be explained by the simple anthropological/sociological fact that the first parent recognized was the Mother, as humanity did not yet recognize the Father as the sower of the seed. It's also helpful to peruse The Egyptian Book of the Dead, the oldest religious writings of humanity where the ideas of Christianity are seeded.
February 8, 2016
Gerald Massey may have been a scholarly genius to produce this compilation of parallels between ancient Egyptian mythology, apocryphal writings and the canonical Christian New Testament. The sheer volume of 'evidence' that much of Christian doctrine and theology originated with extraneous sources and traditions can be compelling for the freethinker. It would present a vastly different perspective on what Christian fundamentalists refer to as 'the Word of God'.
Frankly, however, this reprint of the original 1883 edition is an incoherent shambles. It is unappetizingly bloated and turgid, almost unreadable. I mostly skimmed through it. Actually, the Index at the end would be a good place to start. Select an interesting topic and go to that page. Use the Glossary as an aid to comprehension. Good luck with that...
Frankly, however, this reprint of the original 1883 edition is an incoherent shambles. It is unappetizingly bloated and turgid, almost unreadable. I mostly skimmed through it. Actually, the Index at the end would be a good place to start. Select an interesting topic and go to that page. Use the Glossary as an aid to comprehension. Good luck with that...
March 22, 2012
This book will help those who want answers to the question; "Did Jesus actually live"?
March 14, 2022
Just to be sure— I’m now 78-years old and throughout my life I’ve wanted to settle this issue, for myself. Not easy but doable. It helped by simply knowing the term: “Bias Confirmation.” That is, we all tend to accept new information that supports our already established beliefs and conversely reject that which tends to conflict. Same information but totally opposite reactions depending entirely upon prior beliefs. So, how can anyone succeed in actually knowing the truth? Answer: ‘FACTS’!
The facts can be found in the established human history; the facts are, the world has known sixteen saviors—all crucified and all were known as “The Son Of God.” Oddly enough, most were said to have been born on December 25, and stranger still shared similar life stories. Coincidence? No, not at all, that’s what people have done forever—copied from others.
Aside from reading “The Historical Jesus…” I will Aldo suggest that you read: “The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviours Christianity Before Christ” by Kersey Graves. Thank you.
The facts can be found in the established human history; the facts are, the world has known sixteen saviors—all crucified and all were known as “The Son Of God.” Oddly enough, most were said to have been born on December 25, and stranger still shared similar life stories. Coincidence? No, not at all, that’s what people have done forever—copied from others.
Aside from reading “The Historical Jesus…” I will Aldo suggest that you read: “The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviours Christianity Before Christ” by Kersey Graves. Thank you.
April 9, 2015
As a Christian, you're taught not to question the word of God, but when some things don't add up, it's hard not to. I questioned it, and I'm glad I did. This book is definitely an eye opener for those who truly seek the TRUTH.
February 20, 2016
A mess of freethinkerism, with bad sourcing/citation protocol. Often cited by neo-freethinkers. Not sure what the big deal is here, to be honest.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews