Hellenism and Christianity: Now Available!

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"Hellenism and Christianity" is a spectacular work by Bevan on the topic of the change from pagan to Christian ways over the course of many centuries, beginning of course with Bacchylides and other ancient figures, and proceeding through the first contact and interchange between early Christians and their pagan counterparts. It is richly filled with secondary sources of material both ancient and then-modern; a fine work excellent for continued research into this fascinating historical topic.

221 pages.

Pantheism; Its Story and Significance: Now Available!

 

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This short work is part of the well regarded religion series of its era and delves partly into the evolution of religious systems "towards" pantheism and partly into a refutation of the belief that certain figures from before Spinoza conform, at least literally, to the pantheistic doctrine. A bit about the life and beliefs of Spinoza himself complete this work, which is rigorously academic in tone.

54 pages.

Shinto: The Ancient Religion of Japan: Now Available!

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This short work is a compilation of religious lore mainly of a historical background. The primordial Japanese religion of Shinto is quite complex, but the linguistic content here is secondary and much of it is a description of the different types and usages of deities and rituals. It is worth noting that Astons' study coincides with the rise of Japan as a power in the world and the analysis herein is not so much tainted as colored by that.

56 pages.

The Ancient Mysteries and Modern Masonry: Now Available!

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This work is actually a transcription of a series of lectures given by Charles Vail- notable as a minister, mason, and political figure in his era. The subjects of the lectures are all about Freemasons, but range from its symbols and their meanings, to its rites (especially of initiation) and the underlying history of the Masons in their modern incarnation dating to the 18th century.

It is interesting as well for its frequent use of quotes and allusions to secondary sources, and thus provides a potential springboard for further study.

165 pages.

Aryan Sun Myths: Now Available!

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This work is one of the best academic treatments of religious history that I have encountered. It spans a dozen cultures and many centuries in its pages, going from Babylon, Egypt, and ancient India, up through Greece, Rome, and into the then-modern period of the late 19th century.

Most of the lore here is in the form of historical quotation from Tacitus, Pliny, Caesar, and others, or else notations regarding the similarity between epic poems and literal mythology and the then-accepted trappings and symbols of Christendom. Indeed, the imagery of twelve followers (disciples), halos, resurrection, virgin birth, and many more such tropes, are originally pagan, and any actual historical Jesus is in all likelihood lost to history, because the subsequent writings on this figure were an amalgamation of a half dozen solar cults.

134 pages.