VII. Conclusions and Culminations
From the great number of similarities and relations between
Christian and
Greek thought, it seems that, at the very least, much of early
Christianity adapted in order to satiate certain concerns and dissatisfactions with
Greek Religion. Furthermore, it seems very possible that
Christianity owes much of its invention to
Greek thought and
religion. Should such influence and even invention have taken place, it by no means discredits or invalidates
Christianity,
Judaism, or
Greek Religion. To draw such a conclusion would be incredibly remiss. These stories, these tales, these
myths are not so long lived and well loved because they are thought to be authentic; on the contrary, their lasting power stems from the very fact that they are
ideas, ideas that speak to the
better nature of man – the will to
struggle,
weep, and
bleed for
perfectibility, the innate
passion that drives him to grow closer to the
divine.
Jesus,
Dionysus,
Demeter, and even the
God of the Hebrews may never have existed in this world. But they are still
true, for they exist in men's minds and offer a very real road to
enlightenment and
salvation.
<<<Back | Main | TOC | Works Cited | next>>>