Zoroastrianism and the Bible (Old Testament) and are considered contemporaries. Each hold to the belief in one God, but they differ in many areas which make up a worldview. This article seeks to compare the Zoroastrian worldview with the Biblical worldview.
A Brief History
Zoroastrianism is a Mazda-worshipping religion which originated in the second millennium B.C. among Iranian tribes in Central Asia. Iranians are speakers of Iranian languages, which include languages such as the ancient languages Avestan, Old Persian, Middle Persian (Pahlavi) and many of the modern descendent languages as Persian (Farsi), Kurdish, and Pashto (Afghan).
The Indo-Aryan languages (Sanskrit, Hindi, etc) are close relatives; and since they are all from the same Indo-European language family, their familiar relationship means they were a single people who probably lived in Central Asia as far back as the third millennium B.C.
Biblical Crossover
In comparison, Abraham was born around 2166 B.C. in the land of Ur, south-east of Babylon. The nation of Israel and the promise of eternal salvation for the world began with Abraham (Genesis 12; 15). Israel, also known as the Hebrew people, are from the Afro-Asiatic language family. Throughout history, Israel has lived west of Babylon and the Persians. Israel could have come in contact with Zoroastrianism through trade routes from Mesopotamia to Egypt at any point of their history. However, the most obvious connection between the two religions would be when Israel was captured during the Babylonian captivity (587 B.C.).
God issued a prophecy to Isaiah about a future Persian leader, Cyrus who was coming to rule over Israel (Isaiah 45:1–8). The Biblical characters of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Easter were all involved with Persian rulers and could have, at least, heard of Zoroastrianism during those times. Ezra, for example, received help in building the temple from Darius I who was King of Persia (521–486 B.C.). The temple finished in the sixth year of his reign (Ezra 6:15).
Zoroastrians in the Bible?
Darius I could have known the ethno-cultural connection of the Mazda-worshipping religion of the Iranians, when he recognized himself as an “Aryan for Aryan descent” and Ahura Mazda as the “god of the Aryans.” Darius claimed that it was by the “greatness of Ahura Mazda” that he was able to become king. For this reason, he ordered the name “Ahuramazda” (one word) to be carved high up on a cliff face. The cliff was at an oasis named Bisutun on the road from Hamadan to Babylon. This king seemed to like doing good and respected religion(s) and God(s).
Another highlight is the wise men who sought after Jesus when He was born. Studies show that they could be Babylonian Magi (magicians or sages) because Babylon is the origin of astronomy. The Magi would have seen the irregular appearance of the star (of David) and went to Jerusalem in search of a new king. It could be possible that these sages were Zoroastrians.
Epistemology
Epistemology is the study of knowledge. It asks the question, “how can a person know what is and is not true?” It seeks to find certainty in knowledge of what is true.
Both the Bible and the Avesta say that knowledge comes from their God. Throughout time, each of their books originated in different places and in different languages. The God of the Bible spoke through prophets in their own language and inspired them in the writings of His words; so that His revelation would be what He wanted for salvation, life and godliness. Ahura Mazda chose Zarathustra to be his voice. It is from Zarathustra’s writings that one can know Ahura Mazda.
By reading the Bible, a person can know what God is revealing about Himself and how to live one’s life according to His words. God’s words are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. The Avesta shows what Ahura Mazda communicated to mankind so that they can know him and know what is good to think, act, and speak. It is through “Good Thoughts” that one can know what is real and false. The Bible is God’s Word and teaches what is right and wrong. Since God created everything and gave His Word, one can know that what he made is real and can determine true and false from how He defines it in His Word.
The Avesta consists of three languages: Old Avestan, Young Avestan, and Pahlavi. The Bible is also written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is the study of reality and asks the question, “what exists.” It seeks to explain what is beyond the physical world and understand the relationship between the physical and abstract.
The Biblical God spoke the universe into existence from nothing and fashioned man like an artist would form something. Ahura Mazda first thought the conceptual world into existence and fashioned the corporeal world from the first world. The Biblical God is good and determines what good is. Evil existed on the earth when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. In the Zoroastrian worldview, good and evil have always existed. A person chooses to follow one or the other through their thoughts.
For Zoroastrians, the duty of man could almost be summed up in the Biblical phrase, “fight the good fight of faith.” This means to keep on thinking “good thoughts” and producing good speech and actions so that those sacrifices will strengthen good. From the Biblical perspective, man is to fear God, keep His commandments, believe in Christ, and give Him glory in everything.
In the Biblical worldview, salvation only comes from Christ. Those who believe in Christ will be resurrected from the dead with new spiritual bodies. They will enjoy eternity with God in the New Heaven and Earth. Unbelievers will be resurrected with their old bodies and will spend an eternity of torment in hell with the devil.
The Zoroastrian worldview has rewards for the good and bad that one does in the world. When they die, they will receive that reward (whether good or bad) until the end of time. In the last days, everyone will be resurrected from the dead in immortal bodies and will be purified and live in Paradise.
Ethics
Ethics is the study of what one should do in light of what reality is.
Ahura Mazda is the ethical standard of good for one to follow. It is the individual’s responsibility to choose good and evil thoughts which will lead them to good or evil actions and speech accordingly. The more one knows of Ahura Mazda and recites the Gathas texts, the more wisdom one will have to act good.
In the Biblical view, only God is good, and it requires a right relation through belief in Christ before a person can do good by God’s standard. God’s standard is holiness and the only way to walk in a holy manner is to walk in the Holy Spirit and let Him transform one’s mind through the power of His Word. All of Scripture is profitable for making the right decisions and for doing good works (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Because a believer is a new creation in Christ Jesus, they can do good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Socio-political Philosophy
Socio-political philosophy studies ethics on a societal level. It seeks to answer the question of how communities and societies should behave.
Zoroastrians believe that it is the individual’s responsibility to carry out and promote the good in society. Regardless of what role one has, it is the individual’s job to live with “Good Thoughts”. This affects their actions and words which will promote goodness wherever they are.
The Biblical perspective calls for believers to live at peace with all men. Believers honor God and follow His commands which leads them to loving their neighbor as themselves. For everyone else in societies (believers included), they are subject to the rule of non-theocratic governments. Their job is to punish evil and reward good behavior.
In Summary
There are some similar concepts between Zoroastrianism and the Biblical worldview; but the end times tell a completely different story. Both worldview’s God create Salvation and the standard of good. However, the means to obtaining and keeping both are completely different. The only judgment for Zoroastrians is for the good and bad things they did in the world. In the end, all people will be saved regardless.
For the Biblical worldview, God is the Judge and will reward or punish people, not just for their works, but for whether they believed in Christ. That is the only redemptive measure for a person regardless of what kind of life they live. This should, first, bring motivation to believe in Christ. Second, to act according to God’s commands knowing that everything will have eternal consequences rather than temporary.
For Further Study
(Amazon Affiliate links below)
- “Who Was Darius in the Bible?” — https://www.gotquestions.org/Darius-in-the-Bible.html
- The Land of the Bible: A Historical Geography — Yohanan Aharoni – Buy it here!
- The Spirit of Zoroastrianism. — Prods Oktor Skjaervo – Buy it here!
- The Star of Bethlehem and the Magi. Bibliotheca Sacra, BSAC 073:292 (October 1919): 537–545. — William Notz, http://www.galaxie.com/article/bsac073-292-02?highlight=babylonia
- Zoroastrianism: A Guide for the Perplexed — Jenny Rose – Buy it here!