Jesus Resurrection vs Pagan Dying-and-Rising Gods: Scholarly Analysis
An article from The Collector examines the popular internet claim that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was borrowed from earlier pagan myths of dying and rising gods. The author argues that while pagan mystery religions featured deities like Osiris, Dionysus, Adonis, Attis, Melqart, and Persephone who died and were reborn, their resurrections differ fundamentally from that of Jesus. Key distinctions include: Jesus is a historical figure from 1st-century Palestine, while pagan gods lack historical evidence; Jesus died once and rose once for atonement of sins, whereas pagan gods cycled with seasons for agricultural fertility; Christian resurrection involves a transformed physical body (imperishable, incorruptible), not reincarnation into a new body or mere resuscitation; pagan rebirths are tied to nature cycles, not a universal salvation. The article references J.G. Frazer's 1896 work 'The Golden Bough' as an early comparative study, but notes that most scholars differentiate the concepts. It also clarifies that reincarnation (Eastern religions) and resuscitation (e.g., Lazarus) are distinct from resurrection. The author concludes that any resemblance is superficial and that Christianity did not borrow its core beliefs from pagan myths.
Key facts
- Jesus is a historical figure from the 1st century AD.
- Pagan gods like Osiris, Melqart, Adonis lack historical evidence.
- J.G. Frazer published 'The Golden Bough' in 1896 comparing Christ to dying-and-rising gods.
- Pagan rebirths are cyclical tied to agriculture; Jesus' resurrection is a one-time event for atonement.
- Christian resurrection involves a transformed physical body (imperishable, incorruptible).
- Reincarnation (Hinduism, Buddhism) is rebirth in a new body, not resurrection.
- Resuscitation (e.g., Lazarus) returns a person to mortal life, which will die again.
- Information about pagan mystery religions is scarce due to secret practices.
- Paul's speech in Athens (Acts 17) shows the resurrection was considered a 'new teaching'.
- Adonis spent half the year in the Underworld, tied to seasons.
- Apis bull was killed after 25 years and merged with Osiris.
- Attis castrated himself and died under a pine tree; his rebirth is unclear.
- Dionysus has multiple death/resurrection versions involving dismemberment.
- Melqart's followers held an awakening festival each spring.
- Osiris was dismembered by Set and reassembled by Isis, becoming king of the Underworld.
- Persephone ate six pomegranate seeds, forcing her to spend six months in the Underworld.
- Christianity is a universal religion; pagan cults were localized.
Entities
Artists
- James Tissot
- Guillaume Bonoyseau
- Peter Paul Rubens
- Titian
- Frederick Arthur Bridgman
- Caravaggio
- Frederic Leighton
- Benvenuto Tisi
- Raphael
Institutions
- Brooklyn Museum
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Galleria Sabauda
- Museo del Prado
- Uffizi Gallery
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Wikimedia Commons
Locations
- Egypt
- Phoenicia
- Tyre
- Asia Minor
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- Athens
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