Pagan Regeneration

Pagan Regeneration is a book by Harold R. Willoughby, first published in 1929. This seminal work offers a comprehensive scholarly exploration into the mystery religions of the Graeco-Roman world and their profound influence on the evolution of early Christian thought. As a distinguished professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature at the University of Chicago, Willoughby brings a rigorous academic perspective to the spiritual landscape of antiquity, examining how ancient rites and secret initiations paved the way for modern religious doctrines. The text serves as a vital bridge for readers looking to understand the transition from polytheistic traditions to the establishment of Christian dogma.

The book delves deeply into the historical and psychological dimensions of various mystery cults, including the Eleusinian Mysteries, the Dionysian Mysteries, and the cult of Isis and Osiris. Willoughby meticulously analyzes the concepts of divine rebirth, ritual purification, and human salvation as practiced by the Greeks and Romans. By exploring the regenerative rites of the "Great Mother" and the mysticism found in the works of figures like Philo, Pagan Regeneration provides an essential context for the "new birth" experience and the development of resurrection theology. It is an indispensable resource for students of ancient history, theology, and the history of religions seeking a nuanced view of the cultural exchange between the pagan and Christian worlds.