Hellenistic Religions: An Introduction

Rating:
Summary: Central emphasis on fate & determinism
Review: Martin shows that despite the diversity of story elements and rituals, the common, universal theme in mystery religions is encountering and, in some sense, "transcending" determinism, Fate, or Necessity.

He doesn't emphasize consuming a sacrament as a common, universal theme.

Rating:
Summary: Central emphasis on fate & determinism
Review: Martin shows that despite the diversity of story elements and rituals, the common, universal theme in mystery religions is encountering and, in some sense, "transcending" determinism, Fate, or Necessity.

He doesn't emphasize consuming a sacrament as a common, universal theme.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting overview
Review: We had to read this book in a religion class in college, and I really enjoyed it. The text provides a good overview of a number of the major religious movements concurrent with the beginnings of Christianity. If you're interested in learning more about the ancient world, more than what you can find in the Bible, give this book a try...