Isn’t the Bible Just a Book of Myths?
In the atheists' relentless attacks on Christianity, they have attempted to label the Bible as a book of myths. Despite the fact that for centuries, archaeologists have used it as a guide to uncover many lost civilizations, including Babylon, which was long thought to be a mythical society. Of course their claim lacks knowledge of both the Bible and mythology. Myths are cosmic tails of supernatural events in the distant past which include superhuman heroes or gods who take on human characteristics, none of which can be verified. The Bible on the other hand reads more like a history book than mythology.
Christian Bible vs. Mythology
Hindu Mythology - The creation of the world is described in several ways. One of the oldest creation myths in the Rigveda (RV 10.121) had Being come into existence as a cosmic golden egg and later that the universe was created out of the mangled limbs of Purusha, a magnified non-natural man, who was sacrificed by the gods. In the Puranas, Vishnu in the shape of a boar, plunged into the cosmic waters and brought forth the earth. According to Hindus there were in all twelve ferocious battles fought between the gods over the control of the three worlds. Weapons included swords, daggers, spears, clubs, shields, bows, and lightening. The text also mentions various divine weapons by various heroes, each associated with a certain god or deity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_mythology
Christian Bible Luke 1:1-5 - Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
The Christian Bible goes to great lengths to call out names of people, cities, titles, foods, buildings and describe historical events in detail. This really sets Christianity apart from other holy books in that it can be analyzed on its historical validity, which has fared perfectly. Of course there are many events yet to be verified, but the thousands of events that have been verified support the accuracy of the stories that unfold throughout the text. Given this kind of accuracy, the Bible should be given the benefit of the doubt on events yet to be verified.
Now does the Bible contain supernatural events that are not verifiable. Of course. The parting of the Red Sea would be hard, if not impossible to verify. But even here, God uses natural forces (wind) to accomplish his purpose which is very different from mythology. I Corinthians 15:14 …and if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is in vain and so is your faith. The Christian religion is rooted in historical events, primarily the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. There is substantial evidence to believe that this event actually happened. “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). Conclusion: Christianity is rooted in historical events that are well documented by eyewitness accounts, myths are legends about supernatural events which are unverifiable.
Articles
Did the Hebrew Writers Borrow from Ancient Near Eastern Mythology? Dewayne Bryant, M.A.
Pagan Mythology and the Bible Garry K. Brantley
Mythology and the Bible Eric Lyons
Christian Bible vs. Mythology
Hindu Mythology - The creation of the world is described in several ways. One of the oldest creation myths in the Rigveda (RV 10.121) had Being come into existence as a cosmic golden egg and later that the universe was created out of the mangled limbs of Purusha, a magnified non-natural man, who was sacrificed by the gods. In the Puranas, Vishnu in the shape of a boar, plunged into the cosmic waters and brought forth the earth. According to Hindus there were in all twelve ferocious battles fought between the gods over the control of the three worlds. Weapons included swords, daggers, spears, clubs, shields, bows, and lightening. The text also mentions various divine weapons by various heroes, each associated with a certain god or deity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_mythology
Christian Bible Luke 1:1-5 - Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
The Christian Bible goes to great lengths to call out names of people, cities, titles, foods, buildings and describe historical events in detail. This really sets Christianity apart from other holy books in that it can be analyzed on its historical validity, which has fared perfectly. Of course there are many events yet to be verified, but the thousands of events that have been verified support the accuracy of the stories that unfold throughout the text. Given this kind of accuracy, the Bible should be given the benefit of the doubt on events yet to be verified.
Now does the Bible contain supernatural events that are not verifiable. Of course. The parting of the Red Sea would be hard, if not impossible to verify. But even here, God uses natural forces (wind) to accomplish his purpose which is very different from mythology. I Corinthians 15:14 …and if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is in vain and so is your faith. The Christian religion is rooted in historical events, primarily the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. There is substantial evidence to believe that this event actually happened. “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). Conclusion: Christianity is rooted in historical events that are well documented by eyewitness accounts, myths are legends about supernatural events which are unverifiable.
Articles
Did the Hebrew Writers Borrow from Ancient Near Eastern Mythology? Dewayne Bryant, M.A.
Pagan Mythology and the Bible Garry K. Brantley
Mythology and the Bible Eric Lyons