FAQ
Q: Is this one of those Jesus-is-a-clone-of-a-pagan-god sites?
A: No, it is emphatically not. A little historical context: about a hundred years ago scholars of Christian history began to note a number of striking parallels between Christian and pagan beliefs and practices. A few of these scholars even went so far as to say that the Christian religion was little more than a re-writing of pagan religion. No serious scholar that I know of holds that opinion today. However, that outdated view is still widespread on Internet sites and keeps cropping up in popular books on religion.
In these essays I have attempted a balanced approach: neither to deny pagan influence when there is clear evidence of it nor to be overly eager to see parallels as evidence of borrowing. In The Curious Career of Satan I argue the case for the influence on Christianity of Greek and Zoroastrian ideas heaven and hell, angels and demons. The Christian view of Jesus as part of a holy Trinity is a more complicated case; you can read about it in Promoted to God.
None of the views expressed in these essays are my own invention; I have everywhere followed the views of well-known and respected scholars. That is not to claim that all scholars would agree with all of the conclusions. Scholars are still arguing ever many of these issues, and a wide range of opinions can be found in the scholarly literature. I have done my best to present what seem to me the most compelling arguments. If you want to learn more about alternative interpretations of the historical evidence, the Further Reading for each essay offers a place to start.
Q: If you aren't a Christian, why do you care?
A: I think questions of origins are always fascinating: how did we get to where we are now? Christianity was important to my own personal intellectual development, and it is the most important cultural factor in the development of European society over the last 2000 years. It is inevitable that the origins of Christianity are of great interest.
Moreover, I feel that those origins were misrepresented to me in the church in which I grew up. From many personal and online discussions, I know these misconceptions are widespread. I think people want to know, and ought to know, when they are being lied to.
Q: What do you think of The Da Vinci Code?
A: Dan Brown's grasp of early Christian history is about as solid as the grasp of high-energy physics he displays in Angels and Demons.
Q: What do you think of Angels and Demons?
A: A good read if you can ignore all of the physics absurdities.