The Essence of Christianity

The essence of Christianity, much like Buddhism in Japan, was profoundly altered by institutionalization, losing its original spiritual depth by the fifth century AD. In Japan, Buddhism’s esoteric teachings were reshaped into rigid doctrines, often serving state agendas. Similarly, Christianity’s transformative, allegorical core—rooted in the mystery traditions—was obscured by a historicized narrative that prioritized control over gnosis, or direct spiritual insight. Today, many Christians view Jesus as a literal figure, fostering idolatry that conflates divine truth with figures like political leaders, rather than recognizing him as an allegory for the immortal spirit within. This essay argues that Americans can rediscover Christianity’s lost essence by reenacting the canonical and non-canonical Gospels as mystery plays, reviving their original purpose as rites of inner awakening.

The Historical Drift from Allegory to Idolatry

Christianity’s early teachings were steeped in the mystery schools of the Mediterranean, traditions that used symbolic narratives to guide initiates toward spiritual enlightenment. The Eleusinian Mysteries, for instance, employed rituals—possibly enhanced by psychoactive substances like ergot-derived compounds—to evoke divine experiences, a practice Brian Muraresku links to early Christian sacraments in The Immortality Key. These rites, tracing back to Neolithic agricultural societies, informed the Gospels’ structure as mystery plays. Both the four canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and the roughly fifty non-canonical texts, such as the Gospel of Thomas, were crafted as allegorical dramas. Through performance, actors and audiences could explore the “I-I” mystery—the interplay of mortal self and immortal Self—gaining gnosis, the experiential knowledge of their divine nature.

By the fourth century, however, Emperor Constantine’s conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity marked a turning point. To unify his diverse subjects, he standardized the faith, prioritizing a literal interpretation of Jesus’ life over allegorical depth. Non-canonical texts were branded heretical, and the mystery-play tradition was suppressed. This shift birthed a Christianity focused on external salvation—hoping for heaven despite sins—rather than inner transformation. The Gnostics, who likely performed these plays to uplift communities, were marginalized, their insights dismissed as heresy.

The consequences of this loss are evident today. Misinterpretations of Christian teachings fuel divisive ideologies, from millionaire televangelists peddling guilt to political idolatry equating figures like Donald Trump with divine will. Meanwhile, millions reject religion entirely, mistaking its allegorical truth for literal falsehood. The blind lead the blind, as Jesus warned in Mark 4:12, because the inner mysteries—meant to help us “see through the fog of illusion”—have been forgotten.

The Gospels as Mystery Plays

The Gospels were never meant to be historical records but performative allegories, akin to the rites of earlier mystery schools. These traditions, spanning Egypt (Osiris, Horus), Greece (Dionysus), and Persia (Mithras), featured a “dying and resurrecting godman” symbolizing the soul’s journey. Common motifs—virgin birth on December 25, twelve disciples, miracles like turning water into wine, and resurrection after three days—reflect astrological cycles, particularly the sun’s passage through the zodiac. Jesus, like Mithras or Dionysus, embodies the sun, with his “crown of thorns” symbolizing solar rays and his crucifixion under the Southern Cross constellation mirroring cosmic renewal.

In the Gospel of Thomas, dated to 40 AD and older than the canonical texts, Jesus declares, “Heaven is inside and outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known.” This echoes the mystery schools’ aim: to awaken initiates to their divine essence through experiential rites like baptism (cleansing), Eucharist (communion), anointing (becoming “Christ,” the anointed one), and death-resurrection rituals. Jesus’ own words in Mark 4:12—“to those outside everything is presented in parables”—suggest that the uninitiated receive stories, while the worthy access the “secret to heaven” through gnosis.

These plays were not mere entertainment but transformative acts. Participants, whether Gnostic performers or lay audiences, engaged in a communal exploration of spiritual truths, much like the Eleusinian initiates who experienced divine union through ritual. The Eucharist, possibly rooted in psychoactive sacraments, mirrored Mithraic meals of bread and wine, symbolizing unity with the divine. Yet, by the fifth century, these practices were replaced by rigid dogma, and Christianity’s allegorical heart was buried under literalism.

A Path Forward: Mystery Plays in America

To restore Christianity’s essence, Americans must return to its roots as a mystery tradition. Reenacting the Gospels as mystery plays offers a grassroots solution, bypassing institutional gatekeepers. Traveling bands of “Gospel players,” accompanied by savvy video crews, could perform these texts—canonical and non-canonical—in public spaces, churches, or online platforms, inviting audiences to participate in the I-I mystery. Such performances would reframe Jesus not as a distant savior but as a symbol of the divine within, accessible through shared ritual.

These plays could draw on the Gospels’ vivid narratives: the baptism in the Jordan, the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. Non-canonical texts like the Gospel of Thomas could add depth, with sayings like “Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death” challenging audiences to seek inner truth. Modern technology—live-streamed performances, interactive apps, or virtual reality—could amplify their reach, making gnosis a collective experience for a digital age.

This approach aligns with Christianity’s mystical lineage while addressing America’s spiritual hunger. Many reject organized religion yet crave meaning; others cling to literalism, missing the allegorical richness. Mystery plays could bridge this divide, offering a direct encounter with the divine that transcends dogma. They would also counter idolatry—political or otherwise—by emphasizing personal transformation over external saviors.

Overcoming Obstacles

Reviving Gospel mystery plays faces challenges. Institutional churches may resist, viewing such efforts as heretical or trivializing. Secular audiences might dismiss them as religious relics. Yet, the Gnostics faced similar opposition, performing despite persecution to uplift communities. Modern players could frame performances as cultural or spiritual experiments, inviting skeptics to engage without requiring belief. Collaborations with artists, musicians, and filmmakers could ensure accessibility, blending ancient texts with contemporary aesthetics.

Another hurdle is the risk of misinterpretation. Without guidance, audiences might miss the allegorical intent, as happened with early Christianity. Performances must imply that the plays are not historical reenactments but invitations to inner awakening. Perhaps pre- and/or post-performance discussions or multimedia guides drawing on works like The Immortality Key or the Gospel of Thomas could help.

What would really help are psycho-active communion wafers and/or wine, as was used for millennia by myriad cults, going back to the Indo-Europeans. "Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16826400/

Conclusion

Christianity’s essence—its call to discover the divine within—was lost by the fifth century, buried under literalism and institutional control, much as Buddhism’s depth was reshaped in Japan. Yet, the Gospels, both canonical and non-canonical, preserve this essence as mystery plays, designed to awaken us to our immortal spirit. In America, where spiritual confusion abounds, reenacting these texts as communal rituals offers a path to rediscovery. By performing the Gospels, we can move beyond idolatry and dogma, reclaiming Christianity as a living tradition of gnosis. Let us gather, as players and seekers, to remember who we truly are.