Spiritual-Not-Religious: Orphic Mysteries and Modern Attitudes, with Dr. Michael Horton

Mere Fidelity

Do you assume that being “spiritual but not religious” is a fad of modernism? Think again. It goes way, way back into history. Dr. Michael Horton joins Derek, Matt, and Alastair to talk about this attitude from the cults of Orpheus in ancient Persia through Neo-Platonism and it’s influence on Christianity and even the language of ascent in the Reformers. Join us for a wild ride that ends with your friendly neighborhood Instagram influencer. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: A Definitely Interesting Book [0:00] Why did it have to be shamans? [3:05] Disorganized Religion [7:18] Orpheus and Natural Supernaturalism [9:38] Plato and Christianity [14:08] Ritual Creep [20:37] Irenaeus vs Origen [26:05] History of Religion [33:13] I can haz ascent? [39:10] Popular Gnosticism [48:21]