"So, into this mix comes the monotheist’s enthronement of the individual above the collective; the Greek ideas of men being great enough to approach the gods on their own – with no priesthood between – and even to challenge the gods; the Jewish and Greek high regard for reason and meaning; Hillel’s teaching of the power of integrity; and the Essene discovery that definite commitment has magic in it."

~ Paul Rosenberg in A Lodging of Wayfaring Men

Such a wonderful history of religious thought in Appendix B.