St Paul in the early 20th century history of religions. “The mystic of Tarsus” and the pagan mystery cults after the correspondence of Franz Cumont and Alfred Loisy

Abstract

Alfred Loisy (1857-1940), the excommunicated French modernist priest and historian of religions, and Franz Cumont (1868-1947), the Belgian historian of religions and expert in pagan mystery cults, conducted a lively correspondence in which they intensively exchanged ideas. One of their favorite subjects for discussion was the dependence of St Paul on the pagan mysteries. Loisy dealt with this early 20th century moot point for Protestant, Catholic and non-religious scholars in his publications, while Cumont always remained silent. This study of their unpublished letters sheds new light on the strategies lying behind their publications. It reveals what they chose not to say, and what they meant by what they did say.