Chapter 10 Before the Bible: Middle-Eastern Religions and the Origins of Christianity in the Works of Geo Widengren
In: The Legacy, Life and Work of Geo Widengren and the Study of the History of Religions after World War II
Author:
Christer Hedin
Christer Hedin
Search for other papers by Christer Hedin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Christer Hedin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Abstract
When Widengren was professor Sweden was a secularized country. A new curriculum for religious education was introduced in the schools. An overview over all religions substituted the confessional Lutheran education. As an excellent writer of popular science Widengren was anxious to propagate knowledge about the world religions, and especially the interdependence between them, among people in general. According to him, all aspects of Christianity existed before the Bible. He was convinced that the Dead Sea Scrolls proved the connection between Judaism and the original Christian religion. His ambition to demonstrate this connection might have tempted him to some exaggerations.