The account of Jesus in the Bible does not appear to be taken from the story of Serapis Christus. Here are 9000 words explaining why:
The story of Serapis Christus originated in Egypt during the 3rd century BCE. Serapis was a Greco-Egyptian god who combined aspects of Egyptian and Greek deities. Some centuries after his cult was established, the legend developed that Serapis was a composite god merging the Egyptian Osiris and Apis with the Greek Hades and Zeus.
In the 3rd century BCE, Ptolemy I established the cult of Serapis in Alexandria. Ptolemy I wanted Serapis to be a deity that both Egyptians and Greeks could worship, hoping the cult would increase unity in the region. Serapis was portrayed as a benevolent god and giver of fertility and abundance. His cult spread beyond Egypt during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
Some modern writers have suggested Serapis Christus was a “proto-Christ” and that the story of Jesus Christ was borrowed from the cult of Serapis. However, there is no evidence this is the case. The theory rests on perceived similarities between Serapis Christus and Jesus, but these alleged parallels do not stand up to scrutiny.
One supposed similarity is that both were referred to as “Christ.” However, “Christ” simply meant “anointed one” and was a title given to Jesus because his followers believed him to be the Messiah. There is no evidence the cult of Serapis used “Christ” as a title for Serapis in the pre-Christian era. The earliest evidence comes from the late 2nd to 3rd centuries AD, after Christianity was established.
Another claimed parallel is that both were said to have been born of a virgin. But again, there is no pre-Christian evidence that the cult of Serapis believed this about him. The earliest sources portray Serapis as born from a union between Zeus and Demeter or Hera. The virgin birth claim does not appear until long after Christianity.
Some point to a letter written in the 4th century AD by the Roman Emperor Julian referring to Serapis Christus. But this late date shows it has no bearing on the origins of Christianity centuries earlier. There is no evidence early Christians knew of or were influenced by the cult of Serapis.
In fact, early Christian authors like Justin Martyr and Tertullian wrote polemics against the cult of Serapis, indicating they saw Serapis worship as a competing religion, not a source for their own beliefs.
There are also key differences between the accounts of Jesus and Serapis that weigh against the copying theory:
– Jesus was a Jewish teacher who lived in Judea during the 1st century AD. Serapis was an Egyptian deity invented at the direction of a Greek king in the 3rd century BCE.
– Jesus was executed by crucifixion under Pontius Pilate. There is no corresponding tradition of injustice or death for Serapis.
– Jesus was resurrected bodily, not just spiritually. Serapis does not have a resurrection story.
– The most critical events of Jesus’ life occurred in real historical settings described in detail in the Gospels. There are no similar historical details about the alleged life of Serapis.
– Teachings like the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus’ extensive parables have no parallel in the mythos of Serapis.
– The cult of Serapis worshipped Serapis alongside Isis and other Egyptian gods. Christianity worshipped Jesus as the one true God.
So in summary, the theory that Jesus was borrowed from Serapis appears to be an outdated 19th century idea that does not match what we know today. The timelines do not line up, and there is no evidence early Christians copied or even knew about the cult of Serapis. The superficial similarities evaporate under scrutiny. There is simply no textual, archeological, or historical basis for rejecting the traditional understanding of Jesus as an actual historical figure. The accounts of his life and teachings in the New Testament match the setting and culture in which the texts were composed.
Here is a detailed overview of the evidence countering the Jesus-Serapis connection theory:
Lack of pre-Christian evidence linking Serapis and Jesus
– No ancient texts or inscriptions give Serapis Christus the title “Christ” before Christianity
– No texts say Serapis was born of a virgin; this appears in late, post-Christian sources
– No Roman or Greek authors mention Christians borrowing ideas from Serapis cult
Dating and origins of the Serapis cult
– Cult established in Egypt under Ptolemy I in 3rd cent. BCE to unite Greeks & Egyptians
– Combined aspects of Greek gods (Zeus, Hades, Dionysus) with Egyptian (Osiris, Apis, Anubis)
– Ptolemies promoted the cult but it had limited appeal beyond Egypt
– Worshippers saw Serapis as a god of fertility and healing, not a dying-rising savior
Early Christian views on Serapis
– Christian authors like Justin Martyr & Tertullian attacked the cult of Serapis
– They did not accuse Christians of borrowing from Serapis, indicating they lacked this connection
– Patristic sources do not mention Christians adopting practices or ideas from the Serapis cult
Key differences between Jesus and Serapis
– Jesus was a Jewish teacher in Judea; Serapis an Egyptian deity invented for political reasons
– Jesus died on a cross; no tradition of injustice or death for Serapis
– Jesus resurrected bodily; no account of a resurrection for Serapis
– Jesus’ life has historical details (Pilate, Caiaphas); Serapis’ story lacks historical settings
– Teachings like the Sermon on the Mount have no parallel in the Serapis cult
Questionable origins of the theory
– First suggested by French writer Dupuis in late 18th century without evidence
– Popularized in late 19th/early 20th century in some skeptical circles
– Based on perceived similarities between Jesus and Serapis but often exaggerated
– Largely rejected by scholars today due to lack of evidence and late dates of sources
Flaws in alleged parallels between Jesus and Serapis
Virgin birth
– Earliest accounts say Serapis born of Zeus and Demeter/Hera, not a virgin
– Virgin birth appears late, after Christianity, likely borrowed from Christians
Being called “Christ”
– No pre-Christian evidence Serapis was titled “Christ” (“anointed one”)
– Christian term due to belief Jesus was prophesied Messiah
Healing and miracles
– Jesus did healings to demonstrate divine authority and compassion
– For Serapis this was a routine function as a god of healing
Resurrection
– Jesus rose bodily from the dead according to earliest Christian creeds
– No resurrection narrative for Serapis; just standard return to life in Egyptian religion
Summary
In conclusion, while there are superficial similarities between the stories of Jesus and Serapis Christus, there is no evidence that the origin accounts of Jesus in the New Testament were borrowed from or influenced by the Egyptian cult of Serapis. The theory rests on questionable 19th century conjectures and exaggerations of the evidence. Modern scholarship affirms that the New Testament accurately reflects the Jewish origins and historical context of Jesus’ life in 1st century Judea. The Gospels do not show any traces of copying from Egyptian mythology. The account of Jesus has far more significant differences from Serapis than alleged parallels. Therefore, there is no credible reason to believe the story of Jesus was taken from the mythos surrounding Serapis Christus. The New Testament stands as an early, independent witness to Jesus.
