Books Quote by Bart D. Ehrman
““If all this sounds familiar to Christian readers, it should. This man—here, the emperor—is a god whose birthday is to be celebrated because it brought “good tidings” to the world; he is the greatest benefactor of humans, surpassing all others, and is to be considered a “savior.” Jesus was not the only “savior-God” known to the ancient world.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Lost Christianities, Bart D. Ehrman, 2003
The quote highlights how ancient societies often deified rulers as saviors, a pattern similar to Christian narratives about Jesus.
In simple terms: Ancient rulers were sometimes worshipped like gods, mirroring Christian savior ideas.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how political power can be framed as divine salvation.
Themes
religion
history
political power
mythmaking
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
historical
comparative
When to use this quote
- Studying ancient empires
- analyzing religious texts
- teaching comparative theology
Key Concepts
Deification
cult of personality
comparative religion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societies legitimize authority through divine claims?
- What are the risks of equating political leaders with religious saviors?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify complex theological differences.
