MYTHOLOGY EXAMINED BIBLICALLY

Outline and Links to Topics:

Myth Defined
Does the word "myth" appear in the Bible?
What does the Bible have to say about "mythology?
    Myths are substitutes for the truth
    Myths are designed to deceive
What should the believers response to myths be?
    Myths are to be ignored
Footnotes

Myth Defined

Several years back a church member stopped by the office and gave me an old dictionary. It appears to be an early 1900's reprint of The Original Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1847 edition. I often go back to the old books I have in my library because they are have not been edited to come in line with the "politically correct" apostasy of our day. That dictionary was the first place I fumed as I began my research. I looked up the word myth. This is the definition that was given... "myth A fictitious or fanciful narrative, having an analogy more or less remote from some real event."1

To put it simply, a myth is a fictitious story having some vague similarity to some far removed fact, event. Another dictionary says a myth is, "a person or thing existing only in imagination." 2 Hence we have the English idea of myth.

Does the word "myth" appear in the Bible?

Does the word "myth" appear in the Bible? If you were to read the King James Version of the Bible you would not find the English word myth but you should not conclude that the Bible does not address the issue. In reality the word fable(s), a synonym, occurs five times in the New Testament. Each time the word occurs the underlying Greek word muthos (3454 moothos) which is where our English word myth comes from.

Now, what does this biblical word mean? Strong says the word means "a tale, i.e. fiction (myth): fable." Another adds, a myth is "that which is fabricated by the mind in contrast to reality."4 In fact, in the New Testament, the primary use of this word denotes "a fable full of falsehood and pretenses."5

What does the Bible have to say about "mythology?

• Myths are substitutes for the truth

We have not yet defined truth. Truth is "the quality of being in accordance with experience, facts, or reality; conforming with fact; agreement with a standard."6 The standard that Christians are to use is the Bible. It is the foundation for what we believe. It is our standard of truth. That's why we are to study the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15). Studying the word is beneficial (2 Tim. 3: 16-17). But, what believers do when people don't want to face the truth or reject the truth?

2 Timothy 4:24 reveals the answer...

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be tuned unto fables."

Four Characteristics of Those Who Refuse To Adhere To Bible Truth

We lean at least four things about those who refuse to adhere to truth as their standard...

1. They are intolerant of the truth

...they will not endure sound doctrine...

The word "endure" means to tolerate or put up with. They will not tolerate sound Bible teaching!

2. They make themselves the authority

...after their own lusts ...

This portion of the verse points out the fact that they evaluate truth based on their own selfish interests, longings or desires. They set the standard, they are the authority, they are "god" deciding for themselves what is good and what is evil. Actually, making yourself the authority is the same thing as adopting the lie that Satan sold to Eve in Eden (see Genesis 3:4-5)

God's truth is not relative! Psa. 119:89 "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven". This verse simply says God will judge us by his unalterable standard that is recorded in heaven where man can't change it. He may try to add to, subtract and manipulate the truth here on earth, but the standard is secure and man will answer according to God's pure, permanent standard!

3. They look for others who will support their error

...they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

It is important to realize that a majority vote does not determine the validity of truth though it may determine whether that truth is accepted. That's where the term "politically correct" comes in. Political correctness is determined by "the powers that be." They manipulate the truth and substitute lies based on their philosophical mind set. Those who jump on the bandwagon are "politically correct!"

4. They substitute myths for the truth

...they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

It is dangerous to turn your back on the truth. When you do that, a vacuum is created and nature abhors a vacuum.According to the Bible, what moves in when truth is expelled is a lie! Rom 1:25 says, Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. When God's truth is rejected it is replaced by a lie. Probably the best example of this is the theory of evolution! Evolution has been "politically correct" for years. It is taught as fact and yet it is not supported by fact. Indeed Darwin's theory of evolution is a myth...a lie.

• Myths are designed to deceive

2 Pet 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables. when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

A "cunningly devised fable" is one that is devised to be acceptable. It is often introduced slowly and becomes increasingly popular. Now, I am not against fun. I still like to watch Bugs Bunny from time to time. But there is a difference between Bugs Bunny and Disney's Pocahantas. This animated Disney production has been substituted occult philosophy for historical and Biblical truth! It is a cunningly devised fable. In fact, in The Green Egg (Autumn 1995), a widely circulated occult magazine, it says "(Pocahantas) is without a doubt the most Pagan-positive movie ever to come out of Disney, and it is not out there alongside Fern Gully and Captain planet teaching kids about why MOTHER NATURE deserves our reverence..." p.53

You must remember that nearly all mythology has it roots in pagan religion and worshipand today there a revival of pagan worship. People are really believing in and worshipping Mother Nature. They communicate with Trolls (we know them as demons). They seek to contact nature spirits, fairies, nymph, etc. There are those who really worship Diana/Artimas (Acts 19:24 & ff).

What should the believers response to myths be?

• Myths are to be ignored

l Tim 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith so do.

Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments o f men, that turn from the truth.

In both verses we are told not to heed fables, myths. This Greek word means, to hold in the mind; pay attention to or have regard for. In other words, reject the myth. But that is not all. We are rather to PROMOTE THE TRUTH. This will lead to building up others.

Satan has cleverly disguised himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14-15). I fear that many Christians are being conditioned to be receptive to the occult by mythology and further by the use of visualization and guided imagery, which are techniques of sorcery, they may be brought into contact with demons. I suggest that we follow Acts 19:19-20 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Footnotes

1. The Original Webster's Unabridged Dictionary; p.741

2. Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary; 1961 edition; p.558

3. Strongs Exhaustive Concordance; Parsons Quick Verse edition for computers.

4. The Complete Word Study Dictionary; Spiros Zodhiates; p. 998

5. ibid.; p.999

6. Webster's New World Dictionary; C 1968; The World Publishing Company