The Influence of Buddhism on Primitive Christianity

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S. Sonnenschein, 1893 - History - 184 pages
A volume that proves that much of the New Testament is parable rather than history will shock many readers, but from the days of Origen and Clement of Alexandria to the days of Swedenborg the same thing has been affirmed. The proof that this parabolic writing has been derived from a previous religion will shock many more. The biographer of Christ has one sole duty, namely, to produce the actual historical Jesus. In the New Testament there are two Christ's, an Essene and an anti-Essene Christ, and all modern biographers who have sought to combine the two have failed necessarily. It is the contention of this work that Christ was an Essene monk; that Christianity was Essenism; and that Essenism was due, as Dean Mansel contended, to the Buddhist missionaries "who visited Egypt within two generations of the time of Alexander the Great."

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Page 51 - So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Page 55 - Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls : who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Page 132 - The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Page 148 - And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, "What went ye out into the wilderness for to see ? A reed shaken with the wind? but what went ye out for to see ? A man clothed in soft raiment ? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings, courts.
Page 135 - These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Page 125 - And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son ; in thee I am well pleased.
Page 7 - But of the cities of these people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth : but thou shalt utterly destroy them ; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites ; as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee...
Page 112 - And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye ? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Page 150 - And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees ; but thine eat and drink...
Page 133 - And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it : but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

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