Two scholars explore the role of ancient pagan mystery cults in the early Christian Church, concluding that the early Christians may have hailed from a Jewish version of a very ancient pagan sect.

"Originally published in Great Britain by HarperCollins Publishers, Ltd., in 1999"--T.p. verso.

The unthinkable thought -- The pagan mysteries -- Diabolical mimicry -- Perfected platonism -- The Gnostics -- The Jesus code -- The missing man -- Was Paul a gnostic -- The Jewish mysteries -- The Jesus myth -- An imitation church -- The greatest story ever told -- Bibliography.