#24 Where Religions Come From | @MythVisionPodcast & @GnosticInformant

What if the Bible wasn’t written in isolation — but shaped by centuries of Greek and Jewish ideas? In this campfire conversation, Derek Lambert (@MythVisionPodcast ) and Neal Sendlak (@GnosticInformant) join the Austin & Matt Podcast to explore how Greek philosophy, myth, and Hellenized Judaism shaped early Christianity and the New Testament we know today. Here’s what we explore: · How Greek and Jewish traditions merged to form the roots of Christianity · Pagan parallels — Dionysus, Abraham, and the Gospels’ literary design · Why the Bible reflects storytelling, not reportage · What modern scholars say about myth, meaning, and historical truth · How faith, doubt, and curiosity can coexist This episode bridges biblical history, philosophy, and human experience — reminding us that exploring origins can deepen, not destroy, meaning. #AustinAndMattPodcast #MythVision #GnosticInformant #GreekInfluence #BibleHistory #HellenizedJudaism #BiblicalStudies #ComparativeMythology #ReligionPodcast #FaithAndReason #AncientHistory #TruthSeekers #Philosophy #DeepTalk #NewEpisode #religion #greekmythology #mindset #mindfulness #thoughts #history #podcast #podcastclips 00:00 The Interplay of Paganism and Judaism 17:17 The Sacredness of Scripture and Hellenization 22:27 Mythological Parallels in Abrahamic Traditions 31:28 The Myth of El and Yahweh 34:07 Sacrificial Kings: Ancient Rituals and Their Echoes 36:26 The Quest for Truth: Exploring Religious Narratives 39:52 The Nature of Myths: Historical Figures vs. Fiction 43:31 The Role of Religion in Human Experience 46:36 The Irony of Existence: Humor in Belief 48:39 Researching Religion: The Pursuit of Knowledge 56:10 Debating Modern Scholars: The Case of Amon Hillman 58:15 The Complexity of Interpretation 01:01:16 Contextualizing Biblical Narratives 01:04:48 The Struggles of Academic Integrity 01:08:25 Monetization and Ethical Dilemmas 01:11:44 The Role of Dogma in Belief Systems 01:19:01 Cognitive Dissonance and Its Effects 01:24:00 Debating Expertise and Public Perception 01:26:53 The Role of Influencers in Controversial Discussions 01:29:54 Personal Experiences and Spiritual Journeys 01:35:04 Navigating Online Drama and Community Standards 01:39:50 The Future of Scholarly Work and Authorship