Christianity and the Mystery Religions wit Special Reference to Mithraism

The problem of the relationship of the mystery religions to Christianity Is no mere academic question. While the common layman has very likely never heard of the mystery religions he at least has been indirectly influenced by thoughts which these re1igions have provoked. The entire modern school of liberal criticism is based to a greater or lesser degree upon the thesis that Christianity was merely an outgrowth of the mystery-religions, one which evolved to a higher degree to be sure, but one which nevertheless borrowed most of its theological content and form directly from the mystery religions. It is this writer\u27s opinion that such a belief is too frequently accepted with less than a fair examination of the facts