docphin5
Well-known member
There are parallels between Zoroastrianism and Judaism which suggests the latter developed from the former.
Preface: Logically, original Judaism (600 BC) likely developed from Zoroastrianism and subsequently branched off into Talmudic Judaism (200 BC) which essentially literalized the mythical stories in the Pentateuch, whereas, the Essenes maintained the original esoteric meaning through divine hokhmah. By the first century CE the Essenes developed into Jewish-Christians gnostics (Paul, et al) until christian proto-orthodox (150 CE) literalized the Hebrew myths (just as the Pharisees did) and Esoteric Gospel stories, then subsequently suppressed, destroyed gnostic christians in the fourth century CE by the power of Rome—Caesar (just as the Pharisees did to the Essenes in 63 BC by power of Rome—General Pompey). I say this to counter rabbinical Judaism‘s assumption (like Christian orthodoxy) that their form of religion is unique and supernaturally derived. It was not. In reality, history, and comparative theology demonstrates a natural development of religion from one civilization to the next: Persian Zoroastrianism >> Judaism >> Christianity
Basic info on Zoroastrianism from Wikipedia
Zoroastrianism (600 BC - 600 CE)
“It has a dualistic cosmology of good and evil within the framework of a monotheistic ontology and an eschatology which predicts the ultimate conquest of evil by good.[3]…Historically, the unique features of Zoroastrianism, such as its monotheism, messianism, belief in free-will and judgment after death, conception of heaven, hell, angels, and demons, among other concepts, may have influenced other religious and philosophical systems, including the Abrahamic religions and Gnosticism, Northern Buddhism, and Greek philosophy.”
Keep in mind that the Persian Empire and its religion, eg., Zoroastrianism, was at its peak in the seventh century BC. All subsequent nations were influenced by the Persian Empire. In fact, there would be no Jewish nation without Cyrus, a Messianic figure, per Isaiah (Isaiah 45:1).
Parallels Between Zoroastrianism and Judaism
Preface: Logically, original Judaism (600 BC) likely developed from Zoroastrianism and subsequently branched off into Talmudic Judaism (200 BC) which essentially literalized the mythical stories in the Pentateuch, whereas, the Essenes maintained the original esoteric meaning through divine hokhmah. By the first century CE the Essenes developed into Jewish-Christians gnostics (Paul, et al) until christian proto-orthodox (150 CE) literalized the Hebrew myths (just as the Pharisees did) and Esoteric Gospel stories, then subsequently suppressed, destroyed gnostic christians in the fourth century CE by the power of Rome—Caesar (just as the Pharisees did to the Essenes in 63 BC by power of Rome—General Pompey). I say this to counter rabbinical Judaism‘s assumption (like Christian orthodoxy) that their form of religion is unique and supernaturally derived. It was not. In reality, history, and comparative theology demonstrates a natural development of religion from one civilization to the next: Persian Zoroastrianism >> Judaism >> Christianity
Basic info on Zoroastrianism from Wikipedia
Zoroastrianism (600 BC - 600 CE)
“It has a dualistic cosmology of good and evil within the framework of a monotheistic ontology and an eschatology which predicts the ultimate conquest of evil by good.[3]…Historically, the unique features of Zoroastrianism, such as its monotheism, messianism, belief in free-will and judgment after death, conception of heaven, hell, angels, and demons, among other concepts, may have influenced other religious and philosophical systems, including the Abrahamic religions and Gnosticism, Northern Buddhism, and Greek philosophy.”
Keep in mind that the Persian Empire and its religion, eg., Zoroastrianism, was at its peak in the seventh century BC. All subsequent nations were influenced by the Persian Empire. In fact, there would be no Jewish nation without Cyrus, a Messianic figure, per Isaiah (Isaiah 45:1).
Parallels Between Zoroastrianism and Judaism
Ahura Mazda, (Wise Lord), supreme being, uncreated, benevolent, all-good, transcendent “(Ahura meaning "Lord" and Mazda meaning "Wisdom" in Avestan). Zoroaster keeps the two attributes separate as two different concepts… “ (Wikipedia) 2) Wisdom 3) Lord Wisdom and Lord immanent within a supreme being is a divine triad. | The Most high God, “the El”, supreme being from whom two powers are produced, 2) holy spirit (Ruach Elohim), wisdom, light, and 3) power of life/death or being, substance, existence itself (YHWH Elohim) Wisdom and Power are immanent within the Supreme Being. In this is the divine triad. (Dead Sea Scrolls) |
Seven Creative Powers in Nature “Ahura Mazda is noted as working through emanations known as the Amesha Spenta,…a class of seven divine entities emanating from Ahura Mazda…In Zoroastrian tradition, these are the first seven emanations of the uncreated creator, through whom all subsequent creation was accomplished.” | Seven creative powers in nature identified in Jewish Wisdom literature “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.” (Proverbs 9:1) “and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,” (Rev 1:5) |
Savior “In Middle-Persian literature, the prominent belief was that at the end of time a savior-figure known as the Saoshvant, an eschatological saviour figure who brings about Frashokereti, the final renovation of the world in which evil is finally destroyed.” | Savior The Essenes expected a final eschatological, apocalyptic savior to usher in the new heaven and new earth. (Dead Sea Scrolls) |
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