Jesus vs. Horus: Did Christianity Steal from Egyptian Mythology?

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Jesus vs. Horus: Did Christianity Steal from Egyptian Mythology?

This podcast episode from the G3 Project, hosted by Lisa Fields, features guest Erica Brown, and it addresses the claim that the Jesus narrative is a retelling of the story of the ancient Egyptian god Horus.

Key Points:

• Understanding Mythology: Erica Brown emphasizes that ancient Egyptian mythology, including the stories of Horus, was highly symbolic and not intended to be historical recordings or biographies in the Western sense. She contrasts this with the Gospels of Jesus, which are presented as historical accounts of actual events.
• Horus’s Narrative:
  • Conception and Birth: Horus’s mother, Isis, magically restored her murdered husband, Osiris, and conceived Horus. Horus was born in a marsh area while Isis was on the run from Seth.
  • Death and Resurrection: There is an account of Horus as a child being bitten by a scorpion. Scholars debate whether he actually died or just became very ill, but he was revived by Isis. Horus is largely considered an eternal deity who does not die, which is why pharaohs were associated with him as earthly manifestations.
• Lack of Similarities with Jesus: Erica Brown states that after extensive research, including examining archaeological data related to Horus, she found no significant similarities between the narratives of Horus and Jesus. She suggests that the only possible reason for the association might be early imagery of Isis holding baby Horus, which resembles later Western depictions of Mary holding baby Jesus.
• Importance of Context in Ancient Cultures: Both speakers stress the importance of understanding ancient cultures and literature within their own historical and cultural contexts, rather than applying modern Western perspectives.
• African-American Context and Identity: The conversation touches on why the idea of Christianity “stealing” from African narratives like Horus might appeal to African Americans. It’s suggested that this idea offers a sense of superiority and identity to a community that has experienced dehumanization, but the speakers caution against fighting lies with lies.
• Interconnectedness of Life and Faith in Ancient Egypt: Erica Brown highlights that in ancient Egypt, religion, faith, and daily life were deeply intertwined, with no separation between them, unlike modern Western views. This interconnectedness is even reflected in their language, such as hieroglyphs.
• Demonization of African Spirituality: The speakers discuss the tendency to demonize African spirituality and gods, unlike how Greek mythology (e.g., Zeus, Hercules) is often viewed in Western culture.
• Archaeology as a Tool for Understanding: Erica Brown, who is pursuing a PhD in archaeology and has done excavations in Egypt, emphasizes how archaeology helps to understand ancient cultures and how this understanding can enrich one’s appreciation of the Bible.
• The Israelites’ Transition from Polytheism to Monotheism: The discussion explores the challenge the Israelites faced in transitioning from a culture with multiple deities for various aspects of life to worshipping only one God, Yahweh. This understanding helps to contextualize commandments like “The Lord your God is one.”

Bible References:

• Paul at Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-34)
• The first commandment (Exodus 20:3)
• Jesus’s yoke and burdens (Matthew 11:30)