What is generally accepted is that 66 books make up the Protestant Bible, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Roman Catholic Bible has 73 books, including the seven known as the Apocrypha. Different books make up the Holy Bible, and it’s evident that only the chosen books became part of the Good Book (The Bible).
Suppose you’ve listened to any of my podcast episodes @ rebirthoftheword Podcast | or have read any of my previous articles. In that case, you know that I always try to look for at least a reputable source. And when it comes to the “virgin” Mary, I found a series of books that the Venerable Mary of Agreda wrote called The Mystical City of God, which was written in the 17th century. This is a very respected series of books throughout the Catholic Church, and it gave me a better idea of who the “virgin” Mary was.
A New “Heaven” and a New “Earth”
Reading The Mystical City of God book series, I learned a lot, including why Catholics worship the “virgin” Mary the way they do. She birthed a God-man; without her, there would be no Jesus, God in the flesh.
Interestingly, not only is the “virgin” Mary considered Jesus’s mother but she is also recognized as the Queen of Heaven. That’s interesting because that means to me that she would be sitting next to God in Heaven after her duties on Earth. This is only what I understand from reading those books. However, there are people out there who absolutely believe this.
There are many different branches and denominations of Christianity, and each one seems to have there own teachings. Still, no matter what type of version of Christianity you worship, God created everything. This is no different from Mary’s creation; he had a plan and needed a human woman to bring him into the world. But who was this woman?
Virgin Mary
The “virgin” Mary was born on the 8th of September; however, the years of her birth and death are just estimates dating anywhere from 16 B.C.-33 A.D. Her parents were Saints Anne and Joachim.
The “virgin” Mary was betrothed to Joseph when she was around 12-14 years old. The exact age of Joseph is unknown; I’ve read it was anywhere from his early twenties to his late nineties. Either way, there is no doubt that the “virgin” Mary was still a child when she was betrothed to Joseph and also when she birthed Jesus. Many suggestions that I’ve read said she was around 15 years old when she gave birth to Jesus.
I tried to find the oldest depiction of Mary, and it may possibly be a painting from the Roman Priscilla catacombs.
The Oldest Religion
When it comes to religion, I am constantly reminded that Christianity is not the oldest religion practiced today; instead, it is Hinduism. But Hinduism isn’t the oldest religion. Many scholars believe that Göbekli Tepe, which dates to around 9500 B.C. and 8000 B.C. or older, was a location where religion was possibly practiced. And without a written language besides pictographs being found at Göbekli Tepe, there is no idea what was practiced if Göbekli Tepe was once a religious site.
And that’s why I’m always led back to the Sumerians and the ancient Egyptians.
There are a lot of debates about who created the first civilization; the consideration goes to either the Sumerians or the ancient Egyptians. What is generally accepted is that the Sumerians were the first to develop a civilization, and there are many different reasons why they are considered the founders. One of them being their writing system and the other being agriculture. But, when I go and research the oldest writing system or agricultural site, I seem to find evidence of what would be an older writing system like the 270 pieces of engraved ostrich eggshells dated to around 60,000 years ago from a site called Diepkloof in South Africa’s Western Cape province. Then with agriculture, there is a much older agricultural site discovered by Israeli archaeologists from a site named Ohalo II which may go back as far as 23,000 years ago. The Sumerian civilization only goes back to possibly 3200 B.C.
Trying to find the first recorded record of the “virgin” Mary led me to learn that the “virgin” Mary’s name was derived from the ancient Hebrew name Miriam, which is also the name of the older sister of Moses and Aaron.
The Traditional Oral Stories before Christianity
Having read The Mystical City of God, I can see why some scholars believe that the “virgin” Mary could’ve possibly been Inanna who is also known as Ishtar from the Sumerians. Like the “virgin” Mary, Inanna was considered the Queen of Heaven. I know, just because there are some similarities doesn’t mean that’s a connection between the two. Either way, I’ve researched the similarities between Inanna, the ‘virgin’ Mary, Astarte, Hathor, and even Isis. Could the stories of the “virgin” Mary be derived from all these Queens?
Third Intermediate Period–Late Period, Dynasty 21–31 (about 1069–332 BCE)
Artist:
Egyptian; Bubastis, Egypt (image source)
I’ve read and learned that the Holy Bible is derived from many different sources, sources such as the ancient Egyptians, the Sumerians, the Caananites, and even the Greeks. And even though there are many similarities between the “virgin” Mary and Inanna and others, it doesn’t mean that it’s the same person. However, when the idea is suggested, I can only research the material for myself.
There are a lot of different beliefs about who the “virgin” Mary is and it will take reading different books to understand who she was.
Until next time, Knowledge is Power
Until next time, Knowledge is Power
encyclopedic knowledge of leprechauns and unicorns doesn’t equate to much in the way of power.
Good work Tyrone. Am also tracing the ancient roots of modern world views. You keep inspiring me to make podcasts, will aim to record this evening.
Check out the band Rinky Dink, they sing about Sumerian/Egyptian gods.
Thank you.. Great read excellent writing… 💖📖
6,000 years since Creation of Adam and Eve=the first couple of the first Perfect Religion and Perfect Civilization. God himself said everything was ery Good!
Mary was no longer a virgin after The birth of Jesus. She was the mother of Jesus’ human body.
She is not The Queen of Heaven! She is waiting in her grave to be resurrected with the righteous at the Second coming.
You are presenting not wisdom but pagan mythology!
Wes, you fail to realize that a lot of pagan beliefs got added into Christianity. You might try studying the development of the Christian religions.
Some earliest forms don’t mention or believe in a trinity. And still don’t have that added into those Christian Bibles.
Many Christian holiday’s that get celebrated have pagan influence.
Try going to seminary teachings. You don’t have to go the whole way to get ordained. But it might open your mind.
Have you considered the possibility that the similarities between Mary and the goddesses before her. Their titles and births of male god children. May be from a newly established religion building narratives that match existing gods to validate their god as real? Just as the story of Jesus dying and descending into hell and defeating the devil and returning on the third day. Defeating death rises and the souls of man now freed . This same story exists in at least three other religions . I’m not saying anything against Christianity. Just pointing out what my own search of other world religions has brought to me . Truth is almost never known . All we have are conclusions or hopeful speculations about all of history which is always changed by the winners . In war it doesn’t matter who is right . Only who is left.
Absolutely
There are over ten stories that tell the same narrative of the son of God being born to a virgin, performed miracles, crucified, died and rose.
Mary the blessed had gotten Jesus and the Holy Spirit BEFORE SHE GOT ANY DICK. JESUS CHRIST WAS A FIRST BORN WITH SIBLINGS
Mary the blessed had gotten Jesus and the Holy Spirit BEFORE SHE GOT ANY DICK. JESUS CHRIST WAS A FIRST BORN WITH SIBLINGS
I agree, Marc
In my opinion, Marc is on target.
In my learned and own opinion and understandings have learned me that pretty much all these different versions seem to come from a related truth and understanding there is some one greater then us and we need to respect that or one’s greater then us I mean Christianity bases it all on 10 commandments which in my understanding God says he will have no other Gods before him which tells me there could be many other gods out there. Which in my head tells me all these different variances of the same story could be real and truth based. But who knows how many times the truth has been handed down hand to hand before it was recorded like any other piece of juicy gossip. In my opinion read what you want but trust in the fact some one out there is greater then any of us and we will be judged.
Thank you all that take the time to read my opinion. Much love and respect to every one.
Michael Anthony Barker.
Thank you Michael (and to Wes before your comments). You both make important points.
We know that Christianity has many variations. And religious leaders who picked what would be canonized and what would not. Made many changes from the beginning to even now interpretations vary.
Even the Hebrew religion went through changes. The influences from Babylonia and Zoroastrian religions. Widely played in its development.
The vesta and vedic writings are interesting to study. Eastern and Mideast religions (philosophies) shared thier stories along the ancient trade routes.
What many Christians fail to realize, the story of the magi from the east following a special star (astrological event). Insearch of a special birth. A child with a birthright to rule a kingdom. Herod who was appointed by Rome held no birthright to Judah. Feared the child and ordered all the children age 0-2 killed. But who were the Magi? Magi are the priestly wisemen of Zoroastrian religion. And the Hebrew teachings carried the same astrological & prophecies. But so does a similar more ancient religion of Hindus beliefs. Who regularly even today, pick a special child when the stars aline right on a birth.
Which I find interesting in a few phrases that many religions mention.
The meek shall inherit or the child will lead them. Because a child’s mind is at its most purest (meek). Thier understanding of fairness is less corrupt. Thier heart is more open (sensitive). Children want to be loved, they seek in the faces of adults. And stress when they don’t find it.
Simple rule, give love to all you meet. (Forgive others failings).
(Treat anyone asking for help as a guest respectfully, kindly, lovingly , even your enemies or those damaged by stress).
The Mystical City of God, I can see why some scholars believe that the “virgin” Mary could’ve possibly been Inanna who is also known as Ishtar from the Sumerians this is in Bible Verse.