Importance of Christianity Today

On a recent group outing, we went on an art trail which was listed on our itinerary as a surprise visit. So, I had no idea where we were going. On getting there, it was such a hot day that I didn't look around but headed straight into the cool dimly lit space we were ushered into. Next thing I know, we were told the show was about to start. Lights went off and slowly the dim lights re-emerges, with voices in the background chanting incantations. This took place in the space of a few minutes and suddenly the show was over. 

Other than the symbol which was the focal point of the event, the dim lights and the voices chanting in the background, there was nothing else to see. So, turning around to the person next to me, I asked what had just happened and they had no idea. I went round asking other people in my group and they responded with blank confused expressions similar to mine. Stepping outside the place, I approached the attendant standing outside who was directing the crowd and asked what the show was about. This was the point where I got some understanding about the event that took place in those brief moments. 

Turns out we were at the London Mithraeum. Until that point, I had never heard of it. Naturally, I had to find out more as I just entered a space that was contrary to my faith ignorantly and had to be sure of what really happened or what took place in my ignorance.  

To begin with, I had to find out what the word Mithraeum actually meant and in simple terms, it's an ancient Roman temple used for idol worship. It's made up of an underground space that looks like a cave and in that space a cult performs secret religious rites to a god named Mithras. The strange language I and my group heard in the background, were occultic chants being made to a lesser god. I say lesser, because according to my Christian faith there is only one supreme God. In the book of Isaiah 44:6, God himself said this,

"I am the first and I am the last;
apart from me there is no God."
- Isaiah 44:6, NIV -

The key attributes of a Mithraeum are its underground design which mimics that of a cave.  It is a secretive place with small spaces to fit a small group for private rituals and it usually has an artwork, a carving or painting of Mithras killing a sacred bull. The sacred bull is called a tauroctony.

Why am I mentioning these names? Because I will be taking it to the Bible. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians  5:21 that we should test all things,

'Test them all; hold on to what is good.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21, NIV -

Let's start with the attributes of a typical Mithraeum which is usually cave-like. It looks dark, feels dark, is windowless and it is underground. Somewhat hidden, where things are done in secret. 

In the book of John 8:12, Jesus said this to his followers,

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 — New International Version (2011) (NIV)

Darkness represents things that aren't God-centred and light represents things that are God-centred. Which means that things done in the dark are not often about God. It is about masking or hiding things so it can't be seen in daylight. But when it comes to serving God through Christ, it is done openly, because salvation is for everyone. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:5 of those who follow Christ,

'You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.'
- 1 Thessalonians 5:5, NIV -

Simply put, those who follow Christ do not have any business operating in darkness because God operates in light not in darkness. 

Another key attribute of the Mithraeum is the artwork depicting the Mithras killing a sacred bull called tauroctony. One description of the Mithraeum art work is that,

"The god strikes a heroic pose, plunging a dagger into the bull's neck”.
Source London Museum website

There is a suggestion that the artwork symbolises 'ritual and sacrifice'. Where the heroic deed of the god banishes a dark force and brings light and life to the world. 

Since this was a pagan practice that took place in Londinium  (that is, Ancient London) before Christianity was introduced, it's worth examining. The Bible says the only living sacrifice is Jesus Christ. We are told in the Bible that it was customary for God's people to offer a sacrificial lamb to God to atone for their sins. It was a custom God introduced to his people through his servant Moses. Leviticus 4:1-3 says,

The Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. This is how you are to deal with those who sin unintentionally by doing anything that violates one of the Lord’s commands. If the high priest sins, bringing guilt upon the entire community, he must give a sin offering for the sin he has committed. He must present to the Lord a young bull with no defects."
- Leviticus 4:1-3, NLT -

And,

"If the entire Israelite community sins by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but the people don’t realize it, they are still guilty. When they become aware of their sin, the people must bring a young bull as an offering for their sin and present it before the Tabernacle."
- Leviticus 4:13–14 -

This involved a lengthy process for sin cleansing, it was unsustainable and the people couldn't keep from sinning. For this reason, God introduced a better solution in the form of Jesus, the living sacrifice. The aim was to eradicate sin once and for all. So entered Jesus Christ the living sacrifice. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:1-4 that,

'The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared. But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.'
- Hebrews 10:1-4, NLT -

If this was the case, is it any wonder that when Christianity was later introduced to Londoners it was embraced? Because what the Bulls couldn't do, Jesus fixed once and for all. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:11-12 that,

'Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest  (that is, Jesus) offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.'
- Hebrews 10:11-12, NLT - 

So, now instead of offering bulls for atonement of sins, the Lord says in Hebrews 10:16-18 that,

"This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day...I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds...“I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds. And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices."
- Hebrews 10: 16-18, NLT

That is to say, even though the London Mithraeum was the religion of the londinium, the ancient Londoners, it brought one key thing to my attention. Which is, the reaffirmation of Christianity as the main source of light and salvation in a modern world that can get very dark at times. It is why Christianity is needed to bring God's light and Salvation. It is why the gospel must continually be shared against all odds. For Jesus is the light of the world. Whoever follows him will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. See John 8:12.

And when you understand the gospel, you will understand more than the ancients, because you kept God's commands. See Psalm 119:100

Stay blessed and keep on sharing Christ's gospel!