The Search for God in Ancient Egypt

[Jacquemar]

For anyone who thinks Christianity is a unique religion, or that monotheism, personal piety, resurrection, and final judgement are unique to Christianity, I highly recommend reading THE SEARCH FOR GOD IN ANCIENT EGYPT by Jan Assman (a world renown Egyptologist). The parallels he draws are fascinating, astute, learned, and well rounded.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Search-Go...&keywords=the+search+for+god+in+ancient+egypt

To accompany the above, I recommend EGYPTIAN MYTHS (LEGENDARY PAST) by George Hart.

 

[Jacquemar]

Thank you for those links. I am fascinated by ancient Egypt, particularly the 18th Dynasty and Akhenaten. His "Hymn to the Sun" has always been one of my favourite pieces of prose. As well, then entire Osiris story bears some remarkably "Christian" concepts in it.

There is a whole chapter in Assman's book devoted to the Amarna religion of Akhenaten, as well as the personal piety (i.e. personal spiritual relationship) with Amun-Re.

Both books together present a fascinating reconstruction of the Osiris myth.

 

[Benvolio]

There is a whole chapter in Assman's book devoted to the Amarna religion of Akhenaten, as well as the personal piety (i.e. personal spiritual relationship) with Amun-Re.

Both books together present a fascinating reconstruction of the Osiris myth.

Since Akhenaten became known to scholars, people have been fascinated by the possible or probable relation of the monotheism of Akhenaten to that of Moses. Interesting theories and bits of evidence, but the facts elude us.

 

[Jacquemar]

Since Akhenaten became known to scholars, people have been fascinated by the possible or probable relation of the monotheism of Akhenaten to that of Moses. Interesting theories and bits of evidence, but the facts elude us.

There are also similarities between the state religion surrounding Amun-Re and the monotheism of Moses. Apparently, many Egyptians believed Amum-Re to be the one true god, and all other deities were emanations of that divinity. Thusly there were many titular formulas given to him just as the 72 names were given to YHVH. All very fascinating and theoretical, but as you said, the facts elude us.

 

[lambdaboy]

As an Atheist the closest thing to a religion I can understand is Egypt. The Sun is the only giver of life without it none of us would be around. The belief that some God made a never ending universe and only created life on this little rock is so absurd it beggars belief.

 

[palbert]

Not to be overlooked is Redford, Akhenaten - The Heretic King, Princeton University Press, 1984, for a thorough study.

And, while not "scholarly" one should listen to or see Philip Glass' Akhnaten, CBS Masterworks, for the stunning evocations of the contemporary texts.

 

[Jacquemar]

Not to be overlooked is Redford, Akhenaten - The Heretic King, Princeton University Press, 1984, for a thorough study.

And, while not "scholarly" one should listen to or see Philip Glass' Akhnaten, CBS Masterworks, for the stunning evocations of the contemporary texts.

Thank you for that recommendation! I added it to my wishlist on Amazon.com.

 

[Benvolio]

As an Atheist the closest thing to a religion I can understand is Egypt. The Sun is the only giver of life without it none of us would be around. The belief that some God made a never ending universe and only created life on this little rock is so absurd it beggars belief.

Who said it is a never ending universe.? Who said life only on earth? I don't believe either is an accepted Christian belief.

 

[palbert]

Who said it is a never ending universe.? Who said life only on earth? I don't believe either is an accepted Christian belief.

I am not certain what "acccepted christian belief" is. If talking the KJV then obviously "humankind" ends but I'm not sure if the universe implodes (to use a non-goat herder phrase). As for life only on earth, an argument could be made that "all god's children" subsumes life elsewhere. But I think both are stretches beyond the biblical fabricators.