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Zend, or Zendavesta

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

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A book ascribed to Zoroaster, and containing his pretended revelations, which the ancient Magicians and modern Persees observe and reverence in the same manner as the Christians do the Bible, making it the sole rule of their faith and manners. The Zend contains a reformed system of magianism, teaching that there is a Supreme Being, eternal, self-existent, and independent, who created both light and darkness, out of which he made all other things; that these are in a state of conflict, which will continue to the end of the world; that then there shall be a general resurrection and judgment, and that just retribution shall be rendered unto men according to their works; that the angel of light, with his disciples, introduced into a state of everlasting light and happiness: after which, light and darkness shall no more interfere with each other. It is evident, from these, and various other sentiments contained in the Zend, that many parts of it are taken out of the Old Testament. Dr. Baumgarten asserts that this work contains doctrines, opinions, and facts actually borrowed from the Jews, Christians, and Mahometans; whence, and from other circumstances, he concludes, that both the history and writings of this prophet were probably invented in the later ages.