Was Christianity Influenced By Zoroastrianism?

 

            The ancient religion of Zoroastrianism (Parsi faith) apparently dates back to the 6^th century BC/BCE.¹ Zarathustra or Zoroaster² founded Zoroastrianism. While Zoroastrians claim belief in one supreme God known as Ahura Mazda, they also believe in another immortal deity called Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), who is the epitome of evil.

            Critics of Historic Christianity claim that Christianity borrowed the following ideas from Zoroastrianism:³

1.      Zoroaster was born of a virgin and “immaculate conception by a ray of divine reason.”

2.      He was baptized in a river.

3.      In his youth he astounded wise men with his wisdom.

4.      He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil.

5.      He began his ministry at age 30.

6.      Zoroaster baptized with water, fire, and “holy wind.”

7.      He cast out demons and restored the sight to a blind man.

8.      He taught about heaven and hell, and revealed mysteries, including resurrection, judgment, salvation and the apocalypse.

9.      He had a sacred cup or grail.

10.  He was slain.

11.  His religion had a eucharist.

12.  He was the “Word made flesh.”

13.  Zoroaster’s followers expect a “second coming” in the virgin-born Saoshyant or Savior, who is to come in 2341 CE and begin his ministry at age 30, ushering in a golden age.

            These have been meticulously disproved.⁴

            Although Zoroaster’s life predates Jesus Christ, all information pertaining to him comes from the book of Avesta. Interestingly, Avesta was not composed until the 4^th century (AD/CE). This is almost 400 years after the life of Jesus Christ.

            Significantly, the earliest manuscripts of the Avesta have been dated to the 13^th century (AD/CE). In comparison, the manuscripts of the gospels and the Acts of the Apostles have been dated between 45-60 (AD/CE).⁵

            If the New Testament manuscripts are dated much before Avesta, then it is clear that Christianity could NOT have borrowed ideas from Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism may have borrowed ideas from Christianity, but it is certainly not the other way around. 

            Despite the oral traditions of Zoroastrianism predating Christ, the information in Avesta could be unreliable because of the large gap in time (1000 years plus or minus). Moreover, historians claim that the book of Avesta has been updated over time.⁶ If Avesta was updated over time, then it is more plausible that Zoroastrianism borrowed concepts from Christianity.

            The Bible could not have borrowed the concept of Satan from Zoroastrianism. Satan appears in the book of Job, a very early book. Moreover, Satan (a created subordinate to God in Christianity) is much unlike the evil god Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), who is a dualistic equal to Ahura Mazda.

            Last but not the least, the doctrine of salvation clinches the deal. Any religion that teaches salvation by works cannot be true.

            Zoroastrianism opposes Historic Christianity in the doctrine of salvation. Zoroastrianism teaches salvation by works, “Salvation was by works alone; there was "practically no place for repentance or pardon:" and "no doctrine of atonement." There is some issue about the fate of the wicked; one account says they will be tormented three days, then return to do good deeds; another source says they will be annihilated. There is an essential equivalent to Heaven and Hell...”⁷

            Salvation cannot be achieved by doing good deeds. Salvation can only be through the grace of God by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9). Dr. Carl Broggi describes this beautifully, “God does not spell salvation “DO” - and God does not spell salvation “DON’T” - God spells salvation “DONE” (John 19:30).”⁸

            Therefore, we can confidently assert that Historic Christianity cannot be an offshoot of Zoroastrianism.

Endnotes:

¹Dating of Zoroastrianism is much disputed.

²Zoroaster is presumed to have lived sometime between 1700 – 600 BC/BCE.

³http://www.tektonics.org/copycat/zoroaster.php

⁴http://www.tektonics.org/copycat/zoroaster.php 

& 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x6aOBqc9d0&ab_channel=InspiringPhilosophy

⁵https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-i-know-the-gospels-were-written-early-free-bible-insert/

⁶http://www.tektonics.org/copycat/zoroaster.php

⁷Ibid.

⁸https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/world-religions-and-cults-zoroastrianism/

Websites last accessed on 17^th July 2021.