In our discussion of the Mystery Religions in the Greco-Roman World, I mentioned the idea of Fr. Wilhelm Schmidt, SVD (1868-1954), influential ethnologist who "suggested that there had been a primitive monotheism before men and women had started to worship a number of gods. Originally they had acknowledged only one Supreme Deity, who had created the world and governed human affairs from afar" (Karen L. Armstrong, A History of God, p. 3).
From 1912 to his death in 1954, Schmidt published his 12-volume Der Ursprung der Gottesidee (The Origin of the Idea of God) -- his data coming from the reports of the SVD missionaries assigned in different parts of the world.
His works available in English translation are: The Origin and Growth of Religion (1931), High Gods in North America (1933), The Culture Historical Method of Ethnology (1939), and Primitive Revelation (1939).
We can borrow Father Schmidt's idea as we appreciate the Mystery Religions which were very popular and attractive during the time of Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment