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Zarathustra/Zoroaster

Zarathustra/Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism. Dates back nearly three millennia Gathas—early hymns of Zoroastrianism NB—Aryans went to Indian and the remainder became Zoroastrians Mithra—god of light Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) Zoroaster as a possible reformer (Saoshyant). Mithra, Persian Sun God.

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Zarathustra/Zoroaster

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  1. Zarathustra/Zoroaster

  2. Zoroastrianism • Dates back nearly three millennia • Gathas—early hymns of Zoroastrianism • NB—Aryans went to Indian and the remainder became Zoroastrians • Mithra—god of light • Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) • Zoroaster as a possible reformer (Saoshyant)

  3. Mithra, Persian Sun God • Mithra predated Christianity by centuries • The Roman soldiers followed Mithraism • Mithra was born on December 25th • He was a teacher with twelve disciples, performed miracles, Lord’s Supper, buried in a tomb, resurrected after three days • His resurrection was celebrated every springtime • Mithra was called the Good Shepherd, the Way, the Truth and the Light, the Redeemer, the Savior, the Messiah • He was identified with both the lion and the lam • Sunday was Mithra’s sacred day or the Lord's Day

  4. Mithra slaying the Sacred Bull

  5. Zoroaster Spitama,“possessor of camels” • There is far more extra-biblical material on Zoroaster than Christ • The devil was out to get him • At fifteen he puts on the kusti as a sign of maturity/manhood • Vision by the river with a message that parallels Mohammad—one God • Ministry started very slowly and then picked up

  6. Zoroaster’s Teachings • Monotheism—Ahura Mazda • Early concept of faces of God (parallel trinity) • Dualism • Shaitin/Satan are united with Ahura Mazda • We have free will and reason will bring you to righteousness • Eschatology=maidens or hag for a time and then paradise for all • Religious ecologists

  7. Sandalwood sacred eternal flame

  8. Zoroastrian Worship Practices • Purification of mother and child after birth • Sacred shirt and thread, which is a type of rosary • Tower of Silence parallels Tibetan “sky burial”

  9. Tower of Silence

  10. Another Tower of Silence

  11. N.B. the vultures

  12. Zoroastrian History • Cyrus of Persia was a Zoroastrian believer • Cyrus was a OT messiah—providing return from the Babylonian Captivity • Exilic Jews picked up Satan from the Persians • Therefore, the NT also was affected by Persian theology—resurrection of the body, last judgment, angels, etc. • Islam also picked up much of their theology from Zoroastrianism

  13. Ahura Mazda

  14. http://www.zarathushtra.com/z/temple/index.htm

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