Customer Reviews

Egyptian Mythology and Egyptian Christianity

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Samuel Sharpe was a British reverend and scholar who first published "The History of Egypt" around 1840, which went on to at least 5 editions by 1870. His knowledge of his subject was broad and deep, including a knowledge of hieroglyphics. In the book under review he treats the special subject of the influence of Egyption religion on the doctrines and symbols of Christianity. The evidence is carved in stone,inked on papyrus and painted on the walls of tombs. This book is fascinating and deservs to be read. And don't forget "The History of Egypt", which is full of miniature wood blocks interwoven with the text.

Books published over a hundred years ago are different than books published today. Today, everyone has an agenda, which is often hidden. Had this book been written today, the facts that disagree with the author's agenda would have been conveniently excluded. That is not to say that authors were not biased a hundred years ago, as this author most certainly was. The bias, however, is quite clear and is blatant enough that the reader can choose to exclude this bias and focus on the core facts, to come to a more informed opinion.

When you strip the author's bias away, that bias being primarily that we live in a more enlightened time and that our theology is more sophisticated than the theology of a people living thousands of years ago, you are left more informed and in a better position to evaluate your own religious beliefs (particular if they happen to be Christian beliefs). Even from a purely historical context, this book fills in many gaps pertaining to the evolution of Christianity (and pre-Christianity) that would be very difficult to discover elsewhere (certainly not in such a concise text).

If you are considering purchasing the book that Amazon groups with this one, THE EGYPTIAN ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY, I wouldn't recommend it.

This is not a book admiring Egyptian Christianity by attempting to explaing its ancient roots. This book is degrading to Christianity in Egypt. In fact, the opinions stated in this book should be offensive to any Christian as it attacks characters who are honored by all denominations of the Christian faith. The author is cynical and offensively ignorant. He does not even cite sources for his ludicrous opions which he so arrogantly states as fact. Any education that can be gained by reading this book is lost in the anger and disguist it inspires. It is comforting to know that the foolish opinions in this book are far from consistent with those expressed by the majority of scholars.