Viking Jesus

To see how a religion works, one of the best ways is to observe their missionaries and how they adapt the stories and created in one historical and geographic area, for people and places wildly different. On this point, nothing beats the ninth-century Saxon saga Heliand, which presents Jesus as a chieftain, prayers as runes, and refers to the Last Supper as “The last mead-hall feast with the warrior-companions.” Simply the list of chapter titles is a lesson in comparative religion, as well as being pretty funny.  (This is taken from the best edition of the poem available in English, the translation of G. Ronald Murphy)

The Creator’s spell, by which the whole world is held together, is taught to four heroes.

Zachary sees the Chieftain’s angel in the shrine.

John comes to the light of mankind.

The All-Ruler’s angel comes to Mary in Galileeland.

The Chieftain of…