Dualism In Christianity and Zoroastrianism
Christianity and Zoroastrianism share many of the same basic thoughts on the subject of dualism and cosmic warfare. Both religions are monotheistic and Christianity is thought to have some what sprung out of the ideals of the profit Zoroaster. The two religions share the belief of good versus evil in their end times eschatology. The differences can be found in the names of the spirits as well as in what they are thought to do. Zoroastrianism and Christianity share ideals but also hold their own unique belief on the subject of cosmic dualism.
Zoroastrianism was the first founded monotheistic religion. The dates of the founding of this religion are disputed even today. According to the beliefs of Zoroastrianism the two forces to do battle in the final days are refereed to as Ahura Mazda and Ahriman. Ahura Mazda is the supreme god who dwelt on high in omniscience and goodness. He is said to be forever held in the light. The second of these spirits was Ahriman. He dwelled in the deepest depths of darkness. HE had a lust to destroy, and would take every opportunity to cause others to commit evil. The battle ground for the great confrontation between these two cosmic powers is the universe itself. Ahura Mazda created the world as a trap for Ahriman. Human beings draw him into this world creating a chance for him to cause others to do evil. As he enters the world he is now on Ahura Mazda’s battle ground. As the people from the world choose good over evil voluntarily, Ahriman is continually weakened until he reaches the point where Ahura Mazda will destroy him. The battle is said to rage on for 12,000 years until finally Ahriman will fall to Ahura Mazda.
The claim has been made that Zoroastrianism is monotheistic. It is also alleged that the opposing forces in the world, good and evil, are represented by two equal forces. Modern day Parsees resolve the contradiction by explaining that Ahura Mazda has always and will always stand above all. Ahriman, also referred to as Anra Mainyu, was created from an evil thought that once entered the mind of Ahura Mazda. But the end times battle will be between not so much Ahriman and Ahura Mazda as Ahriman and Spenta Mainyu, a good spirit created by Ahura Mazda.
The world has been divided into three sections in Zoroastrianism. The upper world is bathed in light, the earth divided into seven separate sections, and the underworld a place filled with eternal darkness. The world will only exist for the 12,000 years of the cosmic battle. In the beginning, as Ahriman attempts to kill Ahura Mazda, he is stopped and is said to be almost pulled away. Both of the spirits then agree on a period of peace that is to last 9,000 years. During the next 3,000 years Ahura Mazda creates angels, good spirits, and Fravashis. These Fravashis are the original heavenly images of man living in the upper world. During the next 3,000 years they will descend down upon the Earth. They are there to lead perfectly sinless lives as an example. Anra Minyu, or Ahriman, is angry because he can see the distinct advantage that Ahura Mazda has gained in preparation for the final battle. He makes an attempt to bring evil into the world but Ahura Mazda renders him powerless by uttering the sacred Ahunavairya formula. In the next 3,000 years Anra Mainyu, or Ahriman, invades the world. He kills the early man and early animal and disperses demons throughout the world. From the seed of early man and early animal new life is formed that is a mix of good and evil and must learn to choose between the two. The final three thousand years begins with Ahura Mazda sending the prophet Zoroaster. It is said that every thousand years a new prophet will descend to earth. The final fight will be fought at the end of the last thousand years of the last prophet. The final fight is said to be cleansed by a fiery stream which will bring about a complete transformation. Ahura Mazda will then rule over all forever.
In the Judeo Christian tradition, Satan, From the Hebrew word for “adversary,” is the principal figure of the demonic world that is hostile to God and his will. In the Old Testament, for example the book of Job, Satan is presented as a distinct personality of darkness and accusation, the heavenly prosecutor. A fuller expression of his role is presented in the New Testament, where he is referred to as “the tempter,” “the slanderer,” “the enemy,” “the liar,” and “the angel of the bottomless pit.” Collectively, these titles present Satan as the one who has the power of death, rules with leis and deception, accuses human kind before God, and opposes the purpose of God in the world while remaining obedient to God.
No where in the bible though is explained Satan’s origin, but in both testaments he is presented as a part of the created order rather than as an eternal entity. Although no explanation is given in the Bible for God’s allowance of Satan’s existence, it does indicate that his time is short, limiting it to this age of time and history, and his end is certain. He will ultimately be banished by the Messiah. This relates somewhat to Zoroastrianism in the aspect of a Messiah fighting the force of evil as opposed to the god itself.
This concept of a temporal dualism in which Satan has influence is brought to expression most clearly in apocalyptic literature, such as the Book of Revelation. Two ages are reflected in this apocalyptic cosmology, on being this age, and the other the age to come. Satan is said to be prevailing in this age, but in the age to come God will clearly display his sovereignty. In later Christian tradition Satan was described as a fallen angel that will be dismissed completely by god in the next age.
The concept of dualism finRAB it’s roots in both Christianity and Zoroastrianism. The two religions share many beliefs including those of monotheism and of an end times cosmic dual between the forces of good and evil. With the approach of the Christian millennium we may find out soon enough how the battle between good and evil will be resolved.
Christianity and Zoroastrianism share many of the same basic thoughts on the subject of dualism and cosmic warfare. Both religions are monotheistic and Christianity is thought to have some what sprung out of the ideals of the profit Zoroaster. The two religions share the belief of good versus evil in their end times eschatology. The differences can be found in the names of the spirits as well as in what they are thought to do. Zoroastrianism and Christianity share ideals but also hold their own unique belief on the subject of cosmic dualism.
Zoroastrianism was the first founded monotheistic religion. The dates of the founding of this religion are disputed even today. According to the beliefs of Zoroastrianism the two forces to do battle in the final days are refereed to as Ahura Mazda and Ahriman. Ahura Mazda is the supreme god who dwelt on high in omniscience and goodness. He is said to be forever held in the light. The second of these spirits was Ahriman. He dwelled in the deepest depths of darkness. HE had a lust to destroy, and would take every opportunity to cause others to commit evil. The battle ground for the great confrontation between these two cosmic powers is the universe itself. Ahura Mazda created the world as a trap for Ahriman. Human beings draw him into this world creating a chance for him to cause others to do evil. As he enters the world he is now on Ahura Mazda’s battle ground. As the people from the world choose good over evil voluntarily, Ahriman is continually weakened until he reaches the point where Ahura Mazda will destroy him. The battle is said to rage on for 12,000 years until finally Ahriman will fall to Ahura Mazda.
The claim has been made that Zoroastrianism is monotheistic. It is also alleged that the opposing forces in the world, good and evil, are represented by two equal forces. Modern day Parsees resolve the contradiction by explaining that Ahura Mazda has always and will always stand above all. Ahriman, also referred to as Anra Mainyu, was created from an evil thought that once entered the mind of Ahura Mazda. But the end times battle will be between not so much Ahriman and Ahura Mazda as Ahriman and Spenta Mainyu, a good spirit created by Ahura Mazda.
The world has been divided into three sections in Zoroastrianism. The upper world is bathed in light, the earth divided into seven separate sections, and the underworld a place filled with eternal darkness. The world will only exist for the 12,000 years of the cosmic battle. In the beginning, as Ahriman attempts to kill Ahura Mazda, he is stopped and is said to be almost pulled away. Both of the spirits then agree on a period of peace that is to last 9,000 years. During the next 3,000 years Ahura Mazda creates angels, good spirits, and Fravashis. These Fravashis are the original heavenly images of man living in the upper world. During the next 3,000 years they will descend down upon the Earth. They are there to lead perfectly sinless lives as an example. Anra Minyu, or Ahriman, is angry because he can see the distinct advantage that Ahura Mazda has gained in preparation for the final battle. He makes an attempt to bring evil into the world but Ahura Mazda renders him powerless by uttering the sacred Ahunavairya formula. In the next 3,000 years Anra Mainyu, or Ahriman, invades the world. He kills the early man and early animal and disperses demons throughout the world. From the seed of early man and early animal new life is formed that is a mix of good and evil and must learn to choose between the two. The final three thousand years begins with Ahura Mazda sending the prophet Zoroaster. It is said that every thousand years a new prophet will descend to earth. The final fight will be fought at the end of the last thousand years of the last prophet. The final fight is said to be cleansed by a fiery stream which will bring about a complete transformation. Ahura Mazda will then rule over all forever.
In the Judeo Christian tradition, Satan, From the Hebrew word for “adversary,” is the principal figure of the demonic world that is hostile to God and his will. In the Old Testament, for example the book of Job, Satan is presented as a distinct personality of darkness and accusation, the heavenly prosecutor. A fuller expression of his role is presented in the New Testament, where he is referred to as “the tempter,” “the slanderer,” “the enemy,” “the liar,” and “the angel of the bottomless pit.” Collectively, these titles present Satan as the one who has the power of death, rules with leis and deception, accuses human kind before God, and opposes the purpose of God in the world while remaining obedient to God.
No where in the bible though is explained Satan’s origin, but in both testaments he is presented as a part of the created order rather than as an eternal entity. Although no explanation is given in the Bible for God’s allowance of Satan’s existence, it does indicate that his time is short, limiting it to this age of time and history, and his end is certain. He will ultimately be banished by the Messiah. This relates somewhat to Zoroastrianism in the aspect of a Messiah fighting the force of evil as opposed to the god itself.
This concept of a temporal dualism in which Satan has influence is brought to expression most clearly in apocalyptic literature, such as the Book of Revelation. Two ages are reflected in this apocalyptic cosmology, on being this age, and the other the age to come. Satan is said to be prevailing in this age, but in the age to come God will clearly display his sovereignty. In later Christian tradition Satan was described as a fallen angel that will be dismissed completely by god in the next age.
The concept of dualism finRAB it’s roots in both Christianity and Zoroastrianism. The two religions share many beliefs including those of monotheism and of an end times cosmic dual between the forces of good and evil. With the approach of the Christian millennium we may find out soon enough how the battle between good and evil will be resolved.