Jesus Mythology
There’s more historic evidence and more ancient literature about Jesus than about many other people who lived and whose existence nobody questions. So, Jesus certainly does not fall into the myths category if we look at them from this angle. On the other hand, if you want to be like apostle Paul, let me show you something. In Acts 17:15-23 we can see Paul staying in Athens, Greece, waiting for Silas and Timothy. While there, he saw all the idolatry, e.g. all their mythology ideas. So, he decided to use God’s wisdom (You will definitely need it if you are about to discourse and dispute with Greek philosophers) in evangelizing these people, so he started preaching to them about the UNKNOWN GOD, whose devotion they had inscribed along with the devotions to all their other deities. See how he used the Jesus Mythology? That’s wise! So, if you ever fall on a philosopher or a person following myths in the contemporary meaning of the word, you can use the following 10 characteristics of what a myth is (in black), to lead them to Jesus (in red): 1. A story that is or was considered a true explanation of the natural world (and how it came to be). Jesus definitely is the explanation to how the world and we came to be as being the Word, Which created all things. 2. Characters are often non-human – e.g. gods, goddesses, supernatural beings, first people. Jesus was 100% human, but also 100% Divine. 3. Setting is a previous proto-world (somewhat like this one but also different). There was, is and will be another world – Heaven. Ours will also be renewed one day. 4. Plot may involve interplay between worlds (this world and previous or original world). Yes, through Jesus both world connect perfectly. 5. Depicts events that bend or break natural laws (reflective of connection to previous world). Jesus birth, life, crucifixion, death, resurrection, ascension and coming back all break natural laws, or rather surpass them. 6. Cosmogonic/metaphysical explanation of universe (formative of worldview). We have the best most reliable and logical explanation about the Universe. 7. Functional: “Charter for social action” – conveys how to live: assumptions, values, core meanings of individuals, families, communities. Jesus is the best role model in these areas of social interactions ever - undisputed. 8. Evokes the presence of Mystery, the Unknown (has a “sacred” tinge). Remember the UNKNOWN GOD Paul preached about in Athens? That’s Jesus. 9. Reflective and formative of basic structures (dualities: light/dark, good/bad, being/nothingness, raw/cooked, etc.) that we must reconcile. Dualities often mediated by characters in myths. Jesus is the absolute criteria giver in the above opposites. He is the Word of truth, which alone can tell them apart. 10. Metaphoric, narrative consideration/explanation of “ontology” (study of being). Myths seek to answer, “Why are we here?” “Who are we?” “What is our purpose?” etc. – life’s fundamental questions. I don’t think I even have to mention something specific here, because nobody than our God can really answer those questions indeed. In all of the above, Jesus Mythology can be used as a term to define God’s philosophy and doctrine of everything. God Bless You! Nikola
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