"That the God-man died for his people, and that His death is their life, is an idea which was in some degree foreshadowed by the older mystical sacrifices"

In this excerpt, William Robertson Smith is touching upon the profound doctrinal idea of atonement within Christian teaching, particularly connecting it to ancient religious practices. The quote suggests that the idea of a divine being compromising himself for the advantage of his fans is not totally distinct to Christianity; rather, it has been prefigured by older spiritual routines including mystical sacrifices.

Smith references the "God-man", a term utilized to describe Jesus Christ in Christian faith, emphasizing the dual nature of Jesus as both magnificent and human. His sacrificial death is considered a redemptive act for humanity, offering redemption and immortality to followers. This basic Christian belief presumes that through Jesus's death, the fundamental separation between mankind and God due to sin is bridged, granting eternal life to his followers-- a principle encapsulated in the notion that "his death is their life."

Smith also indicates a historic continuity between Christianity and older religious traditions. By specifying, "older magical sacrifices", he acknowledges that numerous spiritual cultures have practiced substitutionary or representative sacrifices. In many ancient faiths, sacrifices-- frequently including animals and even people-- were thought to appease divine beings, guaranteeing common wellness or avoiding catastrophe. These sacrifices were seen as vital elements of spiritual rites, signifying a deeper esoteric truth.

The term "foreshadowed" shows that these pre-Christian sacrifices were a sign of, or preparatory for, the supreme sacrifice of Christ. What Smith seems to recommend is that these prior rituals are a type of shared spiritual understanding throughout cultures and dates of offering as a method to transcend the human condition or to bring back consistency with the divine.

Theologically, the quote highlights a universal concept in the human religious experience-- the archetypal story of sacrifice leading to renewal or rebirth. Smith's viewpoint motivates a broader reflection on the interplay of spiritual ideas, recommending that Christianity both acquires and changes these ancient symbols into its special salvific narrative through the story of Christ.