A précis of the Introduction of "
Hidden Wisdom: Esoteric Traditions and the Roots of Christian Mysticism" by Guy G. Stroumsa
There has commonly been assumed a conflict between orthodox 'exoteric' Christianity and the Hellenistic 'esoteric' schools – the Gnostics, the Greek mystery cults, other religions – all of whom were perceived as a serious challenge to early Christianity. Thus Mithra and Christ were seen as competing for the same ground in the Roman empire.
This outlook is now rejected, but the Christian
mustèrion continued to be studied in a mainly pagan.
Only comparatively recently has the Jewish background to Christianity been afforded its due attention.
The discoveries of esoteric traditions in Palestinian Judaism, both among the Pharisees and the Essenes, had a far larger impact on the development of Christian mystical speculation than the Greek mystery cults, and it is they that shape the background of the “secret words” of Jesus and of the “advanced doctrines” of Paul.
Scholars now recognise the Jewish roots of Christian esoteric doctrines. This Jewish esotericism has its own roots in apocalyptic literature, in texts which often claim to reveal the divine secrets. Further evidence emerges from the Dead Sea Scrolls, in particular in their insistence on “secrets” (
sod, raz). It is natural to see such texts and their conceptions as the obvious and immediate background of Paul’s
mustèrion.
Paul, moreover, was privy to revelations in mystical experiences (2 Corinthians 12:1–6), and there are correspondences to the Jewish
Merkavah, and to Jewish esoteric-mystical texts – the
Heikhalot literature. Such texts refer to the secrets of the Torah, and in particular to the secrecy of the divine name
(ha-sod ha-gadol). These Hebrew texts all later than Paul’s letters, but it's agreed they most likely contain earlier material.
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This looks like it might realign some of my opinions regarding 'Christian esoterism' ... I'll keep posting snippets ...
