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Something else to consider is that some early Christians (like the so-called Gnostics) believed that there was an esoteric (or secret) meaning or teaching in Ch

Something else to consider is that some early Christians (like the so-called Gnostics) believed that there was an esoteric (or secret) meaning or teaching in Christianity. The esoteric meanings were often mirror images of the exoteric (or plain/obvious/surface) meanings. So where eating of the Tree of Knowledge might be viewed as "bad" in the exoteric interpretation, in the esoteric interpretation it could be viewed as good. Similar inversions happen with the snake in the Garden of Eden, who is similarly viewed in a negative light in the exoteric interpretation, but as good in the esoteric interpretation. The same thing happens with Judas, and even the creator God himself. I'd encourage reading up on the Gnostics for more details on exactly what those views were.

52-6F-62 5y ago
True, and early Christian cults were often mixed up in offshoots of the mysteries traditions as well. So while the article mixes up which storied tree that image is supposed to represent, there's a real question of whether or not the similarities to the amanita mushroom were intentional or not. When placed in the context of esoteric traditions, it's a worthwhile question.
Natsu 5y ago
The heyday of gnosticism was a thousand years or more prior to this fresco, though.
- pmoriarty 5y ago
  But the gnostics weren't completely eradicated until much later. The Cathars[1], for instance, weren't defeated until about the time of this fresco. And, anyway, one need not be a gnostic in order to believe there is a hidden side to Christianity. [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathars
jazzyjackson 5y ago
The book "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn includes a retelling of genesis in this mirrored sense: the devil has adam and eve convinced that the garden is paradise and there's no need to leave. god has to sneak in to convince eve to eat the apple and become free. (paraphrase from 10 yrs ago, I should pick that book up again...)

52-6F-62 5y ago

True, and early Christian cults were often mixed up in offshoots of the mysteries traditions as well. So while the article mixes up which storied tree that image is supposed to represent, there's a real question of whether or not the similarities to the amanita mushroom were intentional or not. When placed in the context of esoteric traditions, it's a worthwhile question.

Natsu 5y ago

The heyday of gnosticism was a thousand years or more prior to this fresco, though.

pmoriarty 5y ago
But the gnostics weren't completely eradicated until much later. The Cathars[1], for instance, weren't defeated until about the time of this fresco. And, anyway, one need not be a gnostic in order to believe there is a hidden side to Christianity. [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathars

jazzyjackson 5y ago

The book "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn includes a retelling of genesis in this mirrored sense: the devil has adam and eve convinced that the garden is paradise and there's no need to leave. god has to sneak in to convince eve to eat the apple and become free. (paraphrase from 10 yrs ago, I should pick that book up again...)