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Christianity & Zoroastrianism: One God, Good and Evil, the Savior, and the World Made New

Zoroastrianism and Christianity share more than almost any two faiths: one wise Creator, a serious struggle of good against evil, a coming savior, a final judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and a world made new. They differ too: Christians confess the one God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit made flesh in Jesus, understand evil as a corruption of a good creation rather than a coeternal power, and rest resurrection and renewal on Christ crucified and risen, given by grace. This is a respectful, primary-source walk through the Gathas of Zarathushtra and the Bible, where the two meet, and where they honestly part.

Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest revealed religions, worshiping one wise Creator and calling for good thoughts, words, and deeds, and this is a Christian reading of it, offered with respect and without caricature. We describe Zoroastrian teaching as Zoroastrians themselves hold it, and we name the real differences plainly rather than blur them. Everything here is an invitation, never a demand.

Explore the questions

One GodLong before most of the world's religions, Zoroastrianism proclaimed one supreme God: Ahura Mazd…Good and evilAt the heart of Zoroastrian faith is a great moral drama: from the beginning, two spirits, one c…The SaoshyantOne of the most striking parallels between any religion and Christianity is the Zoroastrian hope…Judgment and resurrectionZoroastrianism holds one of the most complete visions of the last things in any ancient religion…Good thoughts, words, deedsThe whole Zoroastrian ethic can be gathered into three shining words: good thoughts, good words,…

Frequently asked questions

What do Christianity and Zoroastrianism share?
A surprising amount: worship of one wise Creator, a serious belief that good and evil are truly at war and our choices matter, the hope of a coming savior, a final judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and the renewal of the world. Among the world's religions, Zoroastrian and biblical hope stand unusually close in shape.
What is the main difference between Zoroastrianism and Christianity?
Chiefly, how evil and salvation are understood. Zoroastrianism frames reality as a struggle between good and evil spirits and awaits the Saoshyant, weighing each soul by its thoughts, words, and deeds. Christianity confesses one good God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, holds evil to be a corruption of a good creation defeated at the Cross, and receives resurrection and renewal as the gift of the Savior already come in Jesus. A savior awaited and a balance of deeds, or the Savior come and grace received, is the deepest difference.
Does Living Bread represent Zoroastrianism fairly?
That is our aim. Living Bread is openly Christian, but we quote the Gathas and the wider Avesta accurately, describe Zoroastrian teaching as Zoroastrians themselves hold it, and name the real differences with respect rather than blurring them. A Zoroastrian reader should be able to say we described their faith fairly.

Come and see

Zoroastrianism awaits a savior yet to come and calls you to choose truth over the lie; the Gospel tells of the Savior who has already come, and of wise men from the East who came seeking him. The most direct way to know Jesus is to read his words for yourself. There is no pressure here.

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