The Legacy of Zoroastrianism for Judaism, Christianity and Islam: Part IV: Synopsis

🎧 Keywords

#Zoroastrianism; #Judaism;#Christianity; #Islam; #PersianEmpire; #SecondTempleJudaism; #Resurrection;#Afterlife; #CyrusTheGreat; #ApocalypticThought; #Mithraism; #Avesta; #Haoma;#Soma; #AncientReligions; #Theology; #ReligiousInfluence; #Dualism; #MessianicHope;#OrientalisticsPodcast

📝 Summary

In this episode of Orientalistics, we explore thefar-reaching legacy of Zoroastrianism and its subtle but significant influence on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. From Cyrus the Great's celebrated status in the Hebrew Bible to the shared theological motifs—resurrection, finaljudgement, dualism, and messianism—we trace how ancient Persian religious thought permeated Second Temple Judaism and, later, Christian doctrine. Listener questions guided us deeper into the mysteries of the Avesta,the identity of the sacred haoma/soma plant, and the linguistic clues that confirm the antiquity of Zoroastrian ideas. We also unpack the evolution ofhell from a purgative realm to a place of eternal punishment, and consider alternate historical trajectories had Zoroastrianism gained wider imperial support. It’s an episode that opens new doors into how intertwined thesereligious worlds truly were. Drop your thoughts, reflections, and questions below—we’d love to keep the conversation going!