Christ the Myth (from my new book “After You Die” available now)
Some would argue that the profile of Jesus is borrowed from gods of the past, for example, the myths of Gilgamesh, Osiris, Adonis, Bacchus or Balder. These myths, and hundreds like them, are all part of a category known as the Myth of the Dying God, which shares similarities with the myth of the Epic Hero.
The basics of the myth are simple. A god, or godlike being, or a hero who is himself the son of a god and a mortal woman, sets out to bring a great power to mankind, in some cases wisdom, in others eternal life. But in the course of this quest, the god/hero learns that he must die. Sometimes by his own choice, sometimes he is killed by his implacable enemy. But just when the enemy thinks he has won, the god rises from the dead in victory to claim his prize and save mankind from the evil fate the enemy intended.
Does that profile sound familiar to you?
Harry Potter perhaps? Superman? Thor? Captain American? The Dark Night RISES! You see for some reason we love this story. We tell it over and over again. We’ll spend hours reading books or watching movies that tell this same story. It permeates our literature, our art, and our entertainment (excerpt from Chapter 37 of my new book, “After You Die”).
Could it be that God has purposefully allowed humankind to borrow His story so that when we encountered the true story of Christ, our hearts would latch onto it? Could it be that God has woven a love for this story into our hearts like no other so that we would all embrace salvation through Jesus Christ? Could this embraced and beloved story by humankind be God’s ultimate wisdom in reconciling us to Himself?
Tell me, what do you think?
3 Responses to “Christ the Myth (from my new book “After You Die” available now)”
Petermaglaras
October 27th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
We like your church.We feel committed.Please email us if there will be church tomorrow night .Because of storm?
frank
October 27th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Hi guys. We will post updates regarding tomorrow nights service on our web site (www.faithchurchct.com or faithchurchnyc.com) on our facebook page faithchurchnyc. It really all depends on whether or not Mayor Bloomberg closes subways and public transportation. Ck our sites on Sunday at 1 to find out. We will also put you in the email blast, but just in case I wanted to give you this other info. God bless. Stay safe and c u soon!
Gary Foley
December 30th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
You said:
” Could it be that God has woven a love for this story into our hearts like no other so that we would all embrace salvation through Jesus Christ? ”
Yes.
According to this verse ~
John 12:32 ( Jesus speaking ) “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
Since Jesus was lifted up He is drawing all people to Himself.
Jesus did not say “some” people, He said “all” people.
Yet we know that there are people in closed societies, such as communist China, or North and South America before Christopher Columbus, who have never heard the Gospel verbally or in writing from a Christian.
Yet we know “all” means “all”.
Therefore wisdom would indicate that Jesus does His drawing by way of He Himself speaking to peoples hearts.
So that when a Lost person hears a religious message from someone they know in their heart if it is the true Gospel or not.
Which is why a Lost person would not believe me and jump for joy if I told them all they had to do to have eternal life is acknowledge that Jesus exists, and they can continue doing the following things listed here:
1 Corinthians 6
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be DECEIVED; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Jesus drawing of that Lost person would have them instinctively know that these things need to be stopped ~
1 Corinthians 6
11 Such WERE some of you;
Emphasis on the word WERE.
Also, because of Jesus drawing, the Lost person would know in their heart that true religion needs to involve doing good to others ~
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer, and to remain uncorrupted by this world.
Which is the response ALL people have had to the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Everyone wants to help the families of victims, and no one wants to pick up a semi automatic assault rifle and imitate that evil.
James, and Jesus, in other words ~ ~ love needs physical expression, and don’t imitate evil doers.
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