Zoroastrianism Worship of Ahura Mazda

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Aryan migration from Europe to India and Persia around 1500 B.C. (Source of Hinduism) The Achaemenid Period (558-330 B.C.) Greek Period (330-A.D. 226)

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Aryan Period (1500 B.C.) Animal sacrifices Fire had a sacred aspect Devas (Indian) or Daevas (Iranian) being that were worshipped Root word “Div” to shine; Divas – the shining ones (English Divinities or Dieties) Two types of spiritual beings Devas Asuras (Indian); Ahuras (Iranian) Lesser gods

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Worshipped divas: Mithra – a god of truth and light (Indian Mitra); Intar (Verethragna) – a god of war and power (Indian Indra), etc. Monotheism behind the polytheism Devas was originally for a single God known in Indian sources as Dyaus Pitar “father god” In Persia (Iran) he is Uruwana or Ahura Mazda – literally “Wise Lord” Professional priesthood – knew the secret formulas and proper methods Magi Karpans

Zoroastrianism Historical Development The Achaemenid (Persian) Period (558-330 B.C.) Degenerated toward increased ritual and magic as usually the case when leadership is lacking Achaemenid Kings like Cyrus, Xerxes, Artaxerxes, and Darius probably recognized Ahura Mazda as a leading god among many

Zoroastrianism Historical Development The Achaemenid (Persian) Period (558-330 B.C.) Custodians of Zoroastrianism were the Magi but incorporated it into pantheon of gods Little information on Magi Removed sacrificial system Kept use of haoma drink

Zoroastrianism Historical Development The Achaemenid (Persian) Period (558-330 B.C.) The evil spirit (Angra Mainyu) Opposes Ahura Mazda Seeks to divert people from following the commands Ahura Mazda Some have said this is a dualistic religion with an all good verse and all evil with the conflict decided by the believer’s choice. Dualism – two spirits are of equal stature and power and the outcome of the cosmic struggle is in doubt.

Zoroastrianism Historical Development The Achaemenid (Persian) Period (558-330 B.C.) In Zoroastrianism Angra Mainyu is inferior to Ahura Mazda. Angra Mainyu derived from God Later description said to be offspring Fits role of Satan in Judaism, Christianity and Islam Ahura Mazda will win the war but the outcome for a particular person may be in doubt

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Greek Period (330-B.C. – A.D. 226) Persia conquered in 330 B.C. only existed by practice of common people Cult of Mithra seems to hold some of the ideas of Ahura Mazda Mithra popular with Roman soldiers Supreme god that all other gods worship, even Ahura Mazda Symbolized by the “invincible sun”

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Sassanid Dynasty (A.D. 226-637) New dynasty of Persian kingdom in A.D. 226 until the Muslim conquest in 637. Reinstated Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Sassanid Dynasty (A.D. 226-637) Zoroastrianism at its prime Collection of scriptures completed Worst polytheistic parts removed Ahura Mazda, called Ohrmazd is supreme Other deities recognized: Mithra, Asha, Vayu and Verethragna Lesser spirits were acknowledged, angels, evil daevas

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Sassanid Dynasty (A.D. 226-637) Tendency toward dualism Angra Mainyu, now called Ahriman More power and able to create and created a counter creation Ahriman has own Amesha Spentas with daevas Ritual purity more important the moral purity Warding off daevas main concern by ritual and magic

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Sassanid Dynasty (A.D. 226-637) Those aligned with Ahura Mazda will be rewarded on earth and in heaven those who do not will be punished Those on side of Truth (Asha) rewarded Those on side of Lie (Druj) punished Free to choose Opposed the sacrificial system as he associated it with the worship of evil Daevas but was not abolished

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Sassanid Dynasty (A.D. 226-637) Opposed the use of Haoma as corrupt Drink use by priests for mystical experience and thought to confer immortality and later deified itself Kept the centrality of fire as representing truth and purity of Ahura Mazda Fire ritual as an act of worship

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Muslim conquest dispersion Muslim conquered Iran in 7th century They were theoretically to be protected as “People of the Book” But it was oppressed in practice and called infidels and unbelievers Called themselves Zardushtins or Iranis Many moved to Bombay, became known as Parsis

Zoroastrianism Historical Development Contemporary Zoroastrianism 200,000 outside of Iran 18,000 in Iran but under persecution by Shi’ite regime Name - Parsis religion today House of worship Parsis temples in Nairobi, Toronto, and Chicago Mainly limited to one ethnic group and not evangelistic Parsis ethnic group Converts would contaminate the faith

Zoroastrianism & the Bible Located in ancient Persia (Iran and Iraq) Connection to the Bible - Not mentioned by name Kings who were Zoroastrians possibly but probably not totally monotheistic: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 – Cyrus Ezra 1:1; 8:1 – Cyrus and Artaxerxes Nehemiah 2:1; Esther 1:2; 10:2 – Artaxerxes, Ahasuerus Isaiah 44:28; 45:1 – Cyrus Daniel 9:1; 10:1; 11:1 – Darius, Cyrus, Darius the Mede Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 1:1 - Darius Magi visited the Christ child

Zoroastrianism & the Bible Out of all the religions connected to the Old and New Testaments only Zoroastrianism remains alive. Cyrus is called by God “His Messiah” or anointed (Is. 45:1). Cyrus is called by God “my shepherd” (Is. 44:28). Doctrinal influence on Judaism seen by some. Source of evil Satan instead of God Angels Demons Savior Final resurrection and judgment Paradise and future life

Zoroastrianism & the Bible Zoroastrianism was not highly accepted by Persians of the exile so not likely an influence on Judaism Persia did not become Zoroastrian until after the exile Judaism could have influenced Zoroastrianism

Founding Zoroastrianism Zoroaster – (628 to 551 B.C.) Contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel Became of priest Known for meditation and officiating at sacrifices Age 30 had first vision from God and ascended to heaven out of body and stood before Ahura Mazda and was instructed to teach what he was told from that time forward. Six more visions in the next eight years

Founding Zoroastrianism Opposed by the priests as his teaching undercut their livelihood Thrown in prison Finally defended by King Hystapes after healing his horse. Not all of Persia converted but he had a significant following