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To modern eyes, especially neo atheist ones, “myth” usually means fake, false, fantasy, deception, and falsehood. “That’s a myth,” pretty much means you’re lying.  But the dictionary definition of “myth” is far more accurate and far more interesting.

“Myth” is, “a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon.”

A myth can be true, fact based, and even devoid of most metaphor, as much as it is possible to be devoid of metaphor. Nearly all language is metaphorical, therefore you cannot even speak like an android, without pointing out that you are speaking like an android. But as much as it is possible, a myth can be quite real, devoid of metaphor, and factually based, historically accurate.

I am a total unapologetic, in honor of frequently being accused by Christians and atheists alike of being the worst apologetic ever. And indeed, it is quite true,  I am the worst apologetic ever since I ain’t apologizing for nothing. Defend the faith? Wutever for? It needs no defense! But all in good fun here, I once really had to go learn, what is apologetics?

Back to defining “myth” however, it comes from the word “mythos,” which literally meant the spoken word. So is Jesus a myth? Well, He is literally called The Word, He spoke all of creation into existence, and He still speaks to us today.

Also, Jesus has definitely become, “a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon.”

Not all worldviews, practices, beliefs, or ways of perceiving natural phenomenon, are equal and valid! Our myths really matter, the stories we tell ourselves and one another around the campfire shape us, and they begin to shape the world around us.

I sometime like to say satan’s greatest trick was convincing us that “myth” really just meant false, not real, a deception. It’s as if he leaned down and went, Hey! Why don’t you all just try leaning into your own understanding??

 

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