Challenging the Zeitgeist - MythVision Fallacy
through Jesus as the Second Adam and the Sar haPanim
In modern discourse, the Zeitgeist (a series ubiquitous on the internet) & the MythVision YouTube channel is a movement that has promoted the idea that Christianity is merely a repackaged form of older pagan myths. This perspective claims that Jesus of Nazareth was nothing more than a syncretic figure, borrowing traits from Egyptian, Persian, and Greco-Roman traditions. However, this argument misrepresents historical evidence and ignores the profound continuity within Abrahamic faiths.
Far from being a product of mythological plagiarism, Jesus’ identity is deeply rooted in the Jewish prophetic tradition. The genealogy in Luke 3:23-38 presents Jesus as the Second Adam, linking him to divine restoration rather than mythical origins. Additionally, the concept of Yeshua as Sar haPanim (Prince of the Presence) aligns with ancient Jewish thought regarding a heavenly intercessor.
Furthermore, the title “Muhammad”, which predates Islam and originally meant “blessed” or “praised,” echoes an ongoing expectation of a divinely chosen figure. This suggests that the messianic hope was not limited to one tradition but was a continuous and unfolding divine mission, reinforcing historical rather than mythical roots.
This essay will deconstruct the Zeitgeist fallacy promoted by popular YouTube sites likes MythVision, and highlight the historical reality of oral tradition, and demonstrate that the Abrahamic religious narrative—from Adam to Jesus to later prophetic figures—is a unified mission rather than a borrowed mythology.
The Zeitgeist MythVision Fallacy: A Superficial Comparison of Myths
One of the core claims of the Zeitgeist movement is that Christianity borrowed from earlier pagan traditions, particularly figures such as Horus, Dionysus, Mithras, and Krishna. However, this argument relies on superficial comparisons and chronological errors:
No Resurrection Parallels: Claims that pagan gods such as Horus or Mithras experienced a resurrection are based on misinterpretations of mythology. Horus, for example, was never resurrected in a manner comparable to Jesus’ bodily resurrection.
Chronological Issues: Many of the alleged parallels—such as depictions of dying-and-rising deities—were recorded after Christianity had already emerged. This makes them more likely influenced by Christianity rather than vice versa.
The Jewish Messianic Context: Jesus’ role as the Messiah emerges within a Jewish framework, not from pagan myths. The concepts of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53) and the Son of Man (Daniel 7) are uniquely Jewish prophetic themes, not Greco-Roman borrowings.
Rather than being a product of mythological adaptation, Jesus stands as the fulfillment of a continuous prophetic expectation, one that is deeply rooted in oral and written traditions spanning millennia.
The Reality of Oral Tradition and Its Role in Abrahamic Religions
The Zeitgeist MythVision argument also ignores the reality of oral tradition, assuming that religious stories were arbitrarily invented rather than carefully preserved. However, oral transmission played a critical role in the development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam:
Jewish Oral Torah: Rabbinic tradition holds that alongside the written Torah, an oral Torah was given to Moses and passed down through generations before being written in the Mishnah (circa 200 CE).
Christian Oral Transmission: Jesus’ teachings were memorized and transmitted orally before being recorded in the Gospels. This method ensured that his words were faithfully preserved.
Islamic Hadith Tradition: Early Islamic scholars used rigorous chains of transmission (isnad) to verify authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing the reliability of oral tradition.
However, as both Christianity and Islam demand critical assessment of narratives over actual scripture and their translations which are mostly interpretations in the midst of fluidity of language. Included in this are many ‘Hebrewisms’ which became syncretized rather than contextualized.
Rather than dismissing oral transmission as unreliable, it should be seen as a sophisticated means of preserving sacred truth across generations. This directly counters the Zeitgeist claim that Christianity merely borrowed myths rather than preserving authentic revelation.
Luke’s Genealogy: Jesus as the Second Adam
A key piece of evidence for Jesus’ unique messianic identity is found in Luke 3:23-38, which traces Jesus’ lineage back to Adam. Unlike Matthew’s genealogy, which begins with Abraham, Luke extends the genealogy to “Adam, the son of God” (Luke 3:38).
The theological significance of this is profound:
HaAdam as the fallen First Man: But in Genesis, the second Adam is restoring God’s image, touched by a messiah savior.Jesus as the Second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45): Jesus is portrayed as restoring this primal Adam, bringing life where there was death.Direct Connection to God: By linking Jesus to Adam, Luke emphasizes Jesus’ role in reversing the effects of sin through obedience to the Father.
This historical and theological continuity contradicts the Zeitgeist claim that Jesus was merely a borrowed sun god or fertility deity. Instead, his role is deeply anchored in the Jewish narrative of redemption.
The Title ‘Muhammad’ as ‘Blessed’: An Echo of Messianic Expectation
Before Islam, the term “Muhammad” was not exclusively a proper name but a title meaning “praised” or “blessed.” Some scholars suggest that pre-Islamic Arabs used Muhammad as an honorific title perhaps refering to Sar haPanim.
This raises an interesting question: could the expectation of a “blessed” prophetic figure be part of a broader Abrahamic tradition?
In Jewish and Christian thought, the coming of the righteous servant (Isaiah 42) was anticipated as a bringer of justice to the nations.
The Dead Sea Scrolls speak of multiple messianic figures—one of whom would be a priestly and prophetic figure.
The continuity of messianic expectation, spanning Judaism, Christianity, and later Islamic thought, suggests that a divine mission was unfolding across generations, rather than random mythological borrowing.
Yeshua as Sar haPanim: The Prince of the Presence
In Judaism, Sar haPanim (Prince of the Presence) is a figure who stands before God’s throne and mediates between heaven and earth. This concept aligns remarkably with Jesus’ role in Christian theology:
The True Mediator: Hebrews 4:14 describes Jesus as the high priest who intercedes before God.The Visible Image of God: John 1:18 states, “No one has ever seen God, but the Son has made Him known.”Daniel’s Son of Man: In Daniel 7, the “Son of Man” is given dominion and glory, standing before the Ancient of Days—again, a role Jesus claims for himself (Matthew 26:64).
Rather than fitting into pagan categories, Jesus aligns with Jewish expectations of a divine mediator, fulfilling long-standing prophetic traditions.
Conclusion: The Messiah Through the Ages
The Zeitgeist MythVision fallacy collapses when examined in light of historical evidence and theological continuity. Instead of being a borrowed myth, Jesus is:
A Fulfillment of Jewish Messianic Hope: Grounded in prophetic writings, not Greco-Roman myth.
The Sar haPanim: A heavenly intercessor who mediates between God and humanity.
Part of a Unified Divine Mission: The title “Muhammad” as “blessed” suggests that messianic expectation continued across centuries, reinforcing divine continuity rather than random myth-making.
Ultimately, Christianity is not a copy of pagan myths but the unfolding of a divine mission that has shaped human history. By understanding oral tradition and historical messianic expectation, we gain a deeper appreciation of how Abrahamic faiths are connected through revelation rather than coincidence.
