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December 11, 2024
A season for new beginnings
December 11, 2024

The birth and death of Christ: A victory over pagan myths

A vertical closeup shot of a sculpture of Jesus on the cross

By Johnathan Bhagan

Secular and New Age voices often accuse Christianity of copying pagan myths, citing similarities between the story of Jesus and deities such as Osiris. However, an exploration of the distinct differences between Jesus and pagan figures reveals that these parallels are not plagiarism but a contrast showcasing the uniqueness of Christ’s mission.

Osiris, as the Egyptian god of the underworld and resurrection, is a particularly significant point of comparison because his narrative superficially resembles key aspects of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, making him central to these claims.

The Roman Empire, even in the 4th century AD, maintained temples to Osiris in the form of Serapis—a syncretic deity of Osiris and Zeus.

Julian the Apostate’s attempt to restore pagan worship highlights the historical clash between Christianity and Roman paganism.

The gospel, much like Moses’ plagues in the Old Testament, declared victory over deities like Osiris and Apollo, calling the Roman world to renounce Jupiter, Osiris, and the rest of the pantheon.

This radical message proclaimed Jesus as more than a humble carpenter—it proclaimed Him as Lord and King over all.

The scandalous message of the Gospel

The gospel’s core message defied the norms of both Jewish and Roman cultures:

  1. The Virgin birth: God became human, born of a virgin, an idea unfathomable to Jewish leaders like the Sadducees and Pharisees.
  2. Poverty of the King: The King of Kings was born in a manger, challenging worldly values of power and wealth.
  3. Victory through sacrifice: Jesus conquered sin and death by dying as an atoning sacrifice for humanity.
  4. The Resurrection: Over 500 eyewitnesses testified to Christ’s Resurrection, a concept foreign and shocking to Roman sensibilities.

Crucifixion, a punishment meant to humiliate, became the means through which the gospel spread. The message of the cross was a scandal that required faith to accept.

The story of St Polycarp exemplifies the scandalous and transformative power of the gospel. St Polycarp, a second-century bishop, was offered his freedom if he would burn incense to Caesar and acknowledge him as a god.

His refusal to renounce Christ cost him his life, underscoring the gospel’s challenge to both political and spiritual authorities.

The unwavering commitment of St Polycarp and others like him brought the message of Christ’s Resurrection to the Roman world, even in the face of death.

 

Osiris vs Christ: A fundamental contrast 

The myths surrounding Osiris involve fragmented and occult resurrection themes. Osiris is dismembered, reassembled, and becomes lord of the dead—never returning to the land of the living.

Writing about Osiris, Egyptologist Dr H Frankfurt is quoted as follows: “Osiris, in fact, was not a ‘dying’ god at all but a ‘dead’ god. He never returned among the living; he was not liberated from the world of the dead, as Tammuz was. On the contrary, Osiris altogether belonged to the world of the dead; it was from there that he bestowed his blessings upon Egypt. He was always depicted as a mummy, a dead king.” (Kingship and the gods: a study of ancient Near Eastern religion as the integration of society & nature, H Frankfurt, University of Chicago: 1978 edition, p 289).

Jesus, by contrast, declares in Revelation 1:18: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death.”

 

The true Lord of Life 

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we are also reminded of the profound significance of Christ’s victory. Jesus is not a replication of Osiris; He is the conqueror of death, offering eternal life to all who believe.

The Incarnation calls humanity to turn from false gods and embrace the one true God, who reigns forever as the victor over sin, death, and the grave. The life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus signify the arrival of the true God who defeats death and the underworld, triumphing over pagan ideologies.

 

Jonathan Bhagan is an attorney-at-law.