: Freke and Gandy claim the Jesus story parallels myths of "Osiris-Dionysus"—god-men who were born of virgins, turned water into wine, and rose from the dead.
: Many alleged parallels between Jesus and figures like Horus or Mithras are considered by scholars to be based on selective descriptions or later Christian influence rather than pre-Christian pagan origins. Related Reading The Jesus mysteries : was the "original Jesus" ...
While the book became a popular sensation, it is widely criticized or dismissed by mainstream academic historians. : Freke and Gandy claim the Jesus story
: They argue the Gospels were never intended as eyewitness history. Instead, they were "Outer Mysteries" (spiritual allegories) designed to guide beginners toward "Inner Mysteries" or secret mystical knowledge (Gnosis). : They argue the Gospels were never intended
The authors contend that early Christianity was essentially a Jewish adaptation of the ancient .
