The great cry throughout the land when the Council of Nicea was concluded and when Christianity had cozied up with the emperors was, "The great Pan is dead". It might be akin to Nietzsche saying that "God is dead".
Pan in Greek religion and mythology is the god of shepherds and flocks, of mountain wilds, hunting and rustic music, as well as the companion of the nymphs. In other words, Pan represented the chief competition for Christianity at the time. Pan was who Christians were trying to distinguish themselves from above all else.
The APPERCEPTION of Pan as all that was bad with the culture of the time was shared by Jews as well as Christians.
Instead of loving ones brother, or even the enemy as Jesus had advocated, the competition with PAN or what was seen as the PAGAN mind sent Christiandom a path that would ultimately be detrimental to the cause of Christ. Pagans didn't look to the external, to heaven for the coming of Messiah; instead, pagans looked into the hearts of men for the coming Messiah. Pagans had a more subjective approach to life and not the objective of the Christians.
The more the pagans went inward, the more Christians stayed externally. The esoteric-exoteric paradigm was being set in concrete and Christianity was becoming the loser.
The esoteric Messianic view was way too abstract and philosophical for the emperors and where the Roman priests wanted to journey. Paul tried to guide the developing church in the more mystical direction. Paul tried to wean the people off MILK and on to the more substantive MEAT, but the more simple message was what the populace desired.
It's the same message today!
People want to have their ears tickled, they want clear days and smooth sailing. And, they certainly do not want to hear anything that turns their world upside down. One would think that the message of LOVE was easy, but that's not the case. As it turns out, loving oneself and our enemies is the hardest thing anyone can learn.
How are you doing with the concept of unconditional love?
