The Bible is not written as a "myth" nor is it one

The Theater in Ephesus

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Contrary to popular discussion promoted by a well known PBS series of a few years ago, the Bible is not "myth" nor "a myth." Nothing about it fits the definition of myth.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary a myth is, "a traditional story, either wholly or partially fictional, providing an explanation for or embodying a popular idea concerning some natural or social phenomenon or some religious belief or ritual."

A second definition is that a myth is, "a widely held (esp. untrue or discredited popular) story or belief; a misconception, a misrepresentation of the truth; an exaggerated or idealized conception of a person, institution etc."

There is nothing about the Biblical narratives that would lead one to believe that what is written is intended to be viewed as fictional, or simply as a literary device used to convey some traditional belief. On the contrary, when the Bible speaks it speaks of real places, like the Theater at Ephesus above. It speaks of real people, real eras and real events

Are there "fictional" things in the Bible? Of course, and the Bible labels them as such. It calls them parables for example: stories used as illustrations of a greater point the very real person Jesus was making. But no reader would confuse the main historical story with the parable.

In fact if you read the first verses of Luke chapter 1 (see Acts chapter 1 also) you discover that far from being a story, the writer, Dr. Luke, tells us in his introduction that what he is writing is nothing but the cold hard facts. Listen in to what he says:

"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught."

It could hardly have been more clearly stated that Luke intends to be the Joe Friday of religious writers, "Just the facts M'am."

No, the writings of the Bible are not myth and it is abundantly clear that the writers did not intend them as myth.

Real places, real people, real events.

I've stood in the theater in the picture above, and at the request of the tour group I was hosting, sung from the theater floor. The theater seats 25,000 people and has acoustics that are incredible. A single voice--mine--could be heard at the top levels of the theater just as though you were standing next to me.

This is almost certainly the theater that Paul was in, as recorded in the book of Acts chapter 19 verses 23-41, when he had the confrontation with the local residents about the Temple of Artemis.

Why have I posted the picture above and why the last couple of paragraphs about me standing in the theater? Simple: To show you what you already know. That I am not writing as though my experience and the place of my experience were a myth. You intuitively know the difference because the communication is clear.

And the Bible is just as clear in its communication of historical fact. Its no myth and if you read it, you will intuitively know the difference, because its communication is clear.

It isn't always the case, but unfortunately at times those who question the Bible are often those who haven't read it! Try it some time. You may be surprised at what you'll find. Begin with Luke's "Joe Friday" version. Its hard to beat.