Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism / With an Essay on Baal Worship, on the Assyrian Sacred "Grove," and Other Allied Symbols by Thomas Inman & M.R.C.S.E. John Newton instant download

Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism / With an Essay on Baal Worship, on the Assyrian Sacred "Grove," and Other Allied Symbols by Thomas Inman & M.R.C.S.E. John Newton instant download

Inman argues with relentless erudition that common ecclesiastical symbols—the cross, the triangle, the lamb, even the fish—are not unique to Christianity but are direct descendants of far older, often sexually explicit, pagan emblems representing generative power. The accompanying essay delves deeper, interpreting the Assyrian "sacred grove" and other motifs as further evidence of a universal, primordial religion focused on life, death, and regeneration, which Christianity later absorbed and sanitized.

The book’s strength lies in its staggering compilation of visual evidence. Inman draws from a vast array of sources—Egyptian, Assyrian, Phoenician, Indian, and Classical—presenting engravings of amulets, coins, and sculptures to support his claims. For its time, this comparative approach was groundbreaking, challenging parochial views of religious history.

However, the modern reader must approach Inman with caution. His interpretations are heavily steeped in the 19th-century obsession with "phallic worship," a school of thought now largely viewed as reductive and overly simplistic. His analyses can be speculative, often forcing diverse symbols into a single, rigid interpretive framework. The prose, while passionate, can be dogmatic and lacks the scholarly nuance expected today.

Ultimately, this book is less a definitive scholarly text and more a fascinating historical document. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of comparative religion, symbology, and Victorian intellectual daring.