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Myth & Mystery: An Introduction to the Pagan Religions of the Biblical World
Clever insights are a distinguishing mark of this excellent, concise overview of ancient religions that existed during the formative years of Judaism & Christianity.
List of Tables
Acknowledgments
Introduction
List of Abbreviations
Mesopotamian religion
Egyptian religion
Zoroastrian religion
Canaanite religion
Greek religion
Roman religion
Gnostic religion
Mandaean religion
Manichaean religion
Reflective Postscript
Bibliography
Index
List of Tables
Acknowledgments
Introduction
List of Abbreviations
Mesopotamian religion
Egyptian religion
Zoroastrian religion
Canaanite religion
Greek religion
Roman religion
Gnostic religion
Mandaean religion
Manichaean religion
Reflective Postscript
Bibliography
Index
335 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 6, 2022
"Myth & Mystery" is a good introduction to the non-Biblical religions which thrived during the formative years of Christianity and Judaism. It gives an overview of their basic nature, the literature produced, and any possible connections with the Bible (eg, the Mesopotamian flood story).
It can be a little dry on occasion, but is generally readable.Recommended for those interested in ancient religions and spirituality.
It can be a little dry on occasion, but is generally readable.Recommended for those interested in ancient religions and spirituality.
February 26, 2014
Myth and Mystery is a survey of religious thought before, during, and after the Biblical period in the Middle East. The chapters run chronologically, starting with Mesopotamian religions through Egyptian, Zoroastrian, Canaanite, Greek, and Roman systems, concluding with the Gnostic traditions concurrent with the rise of Christian beliefs.
It is fascinating to learn about the variety of mythologies humans have constructed to make order out of their chaos. As an atheist, I don't subscribe to any supernatural explanations, and I find it curious that many people are able to reject all but one.
One drawback of the book is the notational system employed. Unlike footnotes that refer to other books by title, author, publisher, date, etc, ancient sources, such as the Nag Hammadi codices or Zoroastrian epics each have their own unique documentation method. I found it difficult to keep with the flow of the text when it was constantly interrupted with notes. I understand the author wanted to provide sources, but one of the reasons I read an author like this is to accept his scholarship and not have go to Leipzig or Cairo to look things up. It was a necessary but intrusive feature.
4/5 3 for readability, 5 for depth of content.
It is fascinating to learn about the variety of mythologies humans have constructed to make order out of their chaos. As an atheist, I don't subscribe to any supernatural explanations, and I find it curious that many people are able to reject all but one.
One drawback of the book is the notational system employed. Unlike footnotes that refer to other books by title, author, publisher, date, etc, ancient sources, such as the Nag Hammadi codices or Zoroastrian epics each have their own unique documentation method. I found it difficult to keep with the flow of the text when it was constantly interrupted with notes. I understand the author wanted to provide sources, but one of the reasons I read an author like this is to accept his scholarship and not have go to Leipzig or Cairo to look things up. It was a necessary but intrusive feature.
4/5 3 for readability, 5 for depth of content.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews