Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions Part 66

[244:6] Through an error we p.r.o.nounce this name _Jehovah_.

[244:7] See Dupuis: Origin of Religious Belief, p. 366.

[245:1] See Samuel Johnson's Oriental Religions, p. 504.

[245:2] See Williams' Hinduism, p. 25.

[245:3] See Bonwick's Egyptian Belief, p. 120. Renouf: Religions of the Ancient Egyptians, p. 110, and Prog. Relig. Ideas, vol. i. p. 152.

[245:4] See Bonwick's Egyptian Belief, p. 151, and Prog. Relig. Ideas, vol. i. p. 152.

[245:5] See Bonwick's Egyptian Belief, p. 151.

[245:6] See Prog. Relig. Ideas, vol. i. p. 154.

[245:7] Egyptian Belief, p. 419.

[245:8] See Ibid. p. 185.

[245:9] Quoted in Ibid. p. 419.

[245:10] Prog. Relig. Ideas, vol. i. p. 259.

[245:11] Ibid. p. 258.

[245:12] See Bell's Pantheon, vol. ii. p. 16.

[246:1] Constantine's Oration to the Clergy, ch. x.

[246:2] Jameson: History of Our Lord in Art, vol. ii. p. 392.

[246:3] Ibid.

CHAPTER XXVI.

CHRIST JESUS AS CREATOR, AND ALPHA AND OMEGA.

Christian dogma also teaches that it was not "G.o.d the Father," but "G.o.d the Son" who created the heavens, the earth, and all that therein is.

The writer of the fourth Gospel says:

"_All things were made by him_, and without him was not anything made that was made."[247:1]

Again:

"He was in the world _and the world was made by him_, and the world knew him not."[247:2]

In the "Epistle to the Colossians," we read that:

"By _him_ were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or princ.i.p.alities, or powers; _all things were created by him_."[247:3]

Again, in the "Epistle to the Hebrews," we are told that:

"G.o.d hath spoken unto us by _his son_, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, _by whom also he made the world_."[247:4]

Samuel Johnson, D. O. Allen,[247:5] and Thomas Maurice,[247:6] tell us that, according to the religion of the _Hindoos_, it is _Crishna_, the Son, and the second person in the ever blessed Trinity,[247:7] "who is the origin and end of all the worlds; _all this universe, came into being through him, the eternal maker_."[247:8]

In the holy book of the Hindoos, called the "_Bhagvat Geeta_," may be found the following words of _Crishna_, addressed to his "beloved disciple" Ar-jouan:

"I am _the Lord of all created beings_."[247:9] "_Mankind was created by me_ of four kinds, distinct in their principles and in their duties; _know me then to be the Creator of mankind_, uncreated, and without decay."[247:10]

In Lecture VII., ent.i.tled: "Of the Principles of Nature, and the Vital Spirit," he also says:

"I am the creation and the dissolution of the whole universe.

There is not anything greater than I, and all things hang on me."

Again, in Lecture IX., ent.i.tled, "Of the Chief of Secrets and Prince of Science," Crishna says:

"The whole world was spread abroad by me in my invisible form.

All things are dependent on me." "I am the Father and the Mother of this world, the Grandsire and the Preserver. I am the Holy One worthy to be known; the mystic figure OM.[248:1]

. . . I am the journey of the good; the _Comforter_; the _Creator_; the _Witness_; the _Resting-place_; the _Asylum_ and the _Friend_."[248:2]

In Lecture X., ent.i.tled, "Of the diversity of the Divine Nature," he says:

"_I am the Creator of all things_, and all things proceed from me. Those who are endued with spiritual wisdom, believe this and worship me; their very hearts and minds are in me; they rejoice amongst themselves, and delight in speaking of my name, and teaching one another my doctrine."[248:3]

Innumerable texts, similar to these, might be produced from the Hindoo Scriptures, but these we deem sufficient to show, in the words of Samuel Johnson quoted above, that, "According to the religion of the Hindoos, it is Crishna who is the origin and the end of all the worlds;" and that "all this universe came into being through him, the Eternal Maker." The _Chinese_ believed in One Supreme G.o.d, to whose honor they burnt incense, but of whom they had no image. This "G.o.d the Father" was _not_ the Creator, according to their theology or mythology; but they had another G.o.d, of whom they had statues or idols, called _Natigai_, who was the G.o.d of all terrestrial things; in fact, G.o.d, _the Creator of this world_--inferior or subordinate to the Supreme Being--from whom they pet.i.tion for fine weather, or whatever else they want--a sort of _mediator_.[248:4]

_Lanthu_, who was born of a "pure, spotless virgin," is believed by his followers or disciples to be the Creator of all things;[248:5] and _Taou_, a deified hero, who is mentioned about 560 B. C., is believed by some sects and affirmed by their books, to be "the original source and first productive cause of all things."[248:6]

In the _Chaldean_ oracles, the doctrine of the "Only Begotten Son," I A O, as _Creator_, is plainly taught.

According to ancient _Persian_ mythology, there is one supreme essence, invisible and incomprehensible, named "_Zeruane Akerene_" which signifies "unlimited time," or "the eternal." From him emanated _Ormuzd_, the "King of Light," the "First-born of the Eternal One," &c.

Now, this "First-born of the Eternal One" is he by whom all things were made, all things came into being through him; _he is the Creator_.[249:1]

A large portion of the _Zend-Avesta_--the Persian Sacred Book or Bible--is filled with prayers to Ormuzd, G.o.d's First-Born. The following are samples:

"I address my prayer to Ormuzd, _Creator of all_ things; who always has been, who is, and who will be forever; who is wise and powerful; who made the great arch of heaven, the sun, the moon, stars, winds, clouds, waters, earth, fire, trees, animals and men, whom Zoroaster adored. Zoroaster, who brought to the world knowledge of the law, who knew by natural intelligence, and by the ear, what ought to be done, all that has been, all that is, and all that will be; the science of sciences, _the excellent word_, by which souls pa.s.s the luminous and radiant bridge, separate themselves from the evil regions, and go to light and holy dwellings, full of fragrance. _O Creator_, I obey thy laws, I think, act, speak, according to thy orders. I separate myself from all sin. I do good works according to my power. I adore thee with purity of thought, word, and action. I pray to Ormuzd, who recompenses good works, who delivers unto the end all those who obey his laws. Grant that I may arrive at paradise, where all is fragrance, light, and happiness."[249:2]

According to the religion of the ancient _a.s.syrians_, it was _Narduk_, the Logos, the WORD, "the eldest son of Hea," "the Merciful One," "the Life-giver," &c., who created the heavens, the earth, and all that therein is.[249:3]

_Adonis_, the Lord and Saviour, was believed to be the Creator of men, and G.o.d of the resurrection of the dead.[249:4]

_Prometheus_, the Crucified Saviour, is the divine forethought, existing before the souls of men, and the creator Hominium.[249:5]