Description

In a world of ancient polytheisms, a remarkable group of visionaries—from China's Shangdi to Greece's Stoic Logos—glimpsed a singular divine truth, reshaping the course of religious history. The Gentile Prophets explores the profound insights of gentile prophets like Zoroaster, Ashoka, Plato, and Cleanthes, whose ideas of cosmic order, ethical universalism, and divine unity echoed across cultures and eras. From the Shang Dynasty's oracle bones to Alexandria's syncretic temples, these figures challenged fragmented pantheons, laying the groundwork for monotheistic traditions that would define Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Drawing on primary sources like Zoroaster's Gathas, Plato's Republic, Cleanthes' Hymn to Zeus, and Philo's On the Creation, this book traces a spiritual journey through the Axial Age, where reason and faith converged. Early Church Fathers like Justin Martyr and Augustine saw these prophets as "Christians before Christ," while Islamic epics like the Shahnameh preserved Zoroastrian echoes. Modern scholarship, from Jan Assmann's studies on Akhenaten to David Pankenier's work on Shangdi, reveals their enduring relevance, fueling interfaith dialogue.
The Gentile Prophets invites readers to rediscover these ancient voices, whose universal visions challenge narrow views of divine election and affirm a broader divine plan. Perfect for scholars, theologians, and seekers of wisdom, this book illuminates how gentile prophets bridged cultures, inspiring a renewed vision of divine unity for today's pluralistic world.