The cult of Mithras, savior of sinful mankind, arose in Iran despite opposition from followers of Zoroaster, and later influenced Christianity through its teachings. [1] Sun worship in Persia gave rise to the Mithraic cult, a lasting legacy of solar reverence across ancient civilizations. [2]
Mithraism, with its militaristic encouragement and tolerance of other religions, ultimately fell due to its admission of women into Christian fellowship. [3] Mithraism was greatly improved by Zoroaster's teachings, influencing Christianity through the Mithraic cult's absorption of Zoroastrian beliefs. [4] Iranian priests resurrected Mithraism to combat Zoroastrianism, influencing the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. [5] Abner's choice of teachers for Cymboyton's son led to orgiastic celebrations that aimed to dominate other beliefs. [6] Roman legions spread the worship of Mithras across the Empire, supplanting the Phrygian and Egyptian mysteries. [7] The school at Urmia reopened as a temple of unyielding and uncompromising teachers seeking to make their religion dominant. [8]
Sol Invictus, the sun-god of Mithraism, was a degeneration of the deity concept from Zoroastrianism, with Mithras depicted as a militant god and champion of the sun-god in his struggle with darkness. [9] Mithraism supplanted Phrygian and Egyptian mysteries, becoming the dominant mystery cult in the Roman Empire. [10]
The contest between Mithraism and Christianity greatly shaped the development of religion in North Africa and Europe. [11]
Jesus engaged in meaningful dialogue with educated Mithraism leaders, enriching their understanding and preparing them for the teachings of the early Christian missionaries. [12] Christian leaders made shrewd compromises with Mithraism, winning over its followers while maintaining Pauline Christianity's Hellenized version. [13]
Mithraism and early Christianity shared similar appearance and ritual, with underground churches featuring altars depicting the savior's suffering for humanity's salvation. [14] Mithraism and Paul's Christianity were contemporaneous competitors spreading stories of gods' lives, deaths, and resurrections. [15]
Paul’s atonement doctrine derived from Philo's philosophy, but he wisely eliminated many inconsistencies resulting from merging Greek mystical philosophy and Roman Stoic doctrines with Hebrew theology, keeping pace with Philo in most respects. [16] The Roman Mithraic temple transformed into a Christian church by pivotal Jesus-taught leaders in Rome. [17]