The Power of Myth

In sixth grade I thought I was doing a great moralistic action by coming home to tell my mother that I would not do a homework assignment from my language arts teacher--because it was about Greek mythology. I thought (at that time) that as a Christian I should not learn about such things. Maybe this is not directly what my leaders and church meant, but this is the message I was taking home. Thankfully my mother didn't let me off the hook on my assignment. I was to do the assignment not only because it was homework but because there was value to learning about the past, about other cultures, and about myths. What a great lesson my mother taught me that day. This is what came to mind in opening up "The Power of Myth" from Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers.

In the last few years I have heard more and more about the relationship of Christianity to other stories both ancient and modern. In the past I wasn't able to grasp that these comparisons were a healthy thing. I was taught (or at least understood) these stories were a threat--to the church, to God, to my faith. By learning about these stories, I was opening up doors to "fall away from God" or so I thought. There is a wall that the church built to protect it's own story. But the wall often keeps our understanding from the richness of the Christian story. The Christian story is very similar to so many stories, but God is showing us how he is different within his story. It's a message the author and pastor Rob Bell spoke of on his "the gods aren't angry tour". That yes, there are so many similarities between the Christian/Hebrew story and the many cultures around the world. And if we ignore the truth in the stories or the stories themselves we fail to understand the world we live in, our humanity and more about the God who claims to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

So today at lunch I started reading "the Power of Myth". Based on a series of interviews with Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell that aired on PBS in the 1980's, it shares the conversation the two had regarding myths and their impact in our lives. I had first heard of the series on Gilmore Girls when two of the characters were talking about watching it on spring break (the two were having a hard time "living it up" with typical spring break traditions and decided to watch "the power of myth" with pizza in their hotel room instead). I picked up a copy a few months ago during one of my wanderings through Barnes and Noble. And then I picked up the book last night since I was all caught up on watching Battlestar Galactica--in perfect timing. (This series is a great story that touches on this same conversation throughout the episodes.)

**Bill Moyers is great. He can engage in a discussion with people and express his own Christian beliefs without belittling or demeaning his conversation partner. It is just that--a discussion. He seeks to understand the other person and yet relate the topic in to his own understanding. I haven't seen many of his interviews but have always been mesmerized by how he communicates with others in those I have watched. In reading this book (so far), I think he has a gift for bringing out the best in people. Even when he doesn't fully agree.

"One thing that comes out in myths is that at the bottom of the abyss come the voice of salvation. The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment comes the light."

This is the story that continues to appear throughout history, in myths, the Bible, the Koran, in popular culture, books, movies...And it is the story that holds humanity together. It is why Star Wars is so popular. Why I think Battlestar Galactica is written so well. And why I think as Christians, it is so imperative that we understand the other stories. So that we too can communicate with others. I don't think the knowledge of what the Native American stories, the Greek and Roman gods, the past stories of creation negate the Christian story. I think the differences enhance the power of Jesus, what he taught and who is was/is. In the few chapters I've read, I understand that at least to some degree the Christian story is just another myth to Campbell. But not in the sense that is disregarded as untrue. In more of the sense that all of these stories hold truth for humanity.

There is a danger in being too pluralistic. In saying all the stories lead to the same truth. I think that there are important differences. And these differences are why I hold on to Christianity rather than other religions. But to disregard the all other stories to the other extreme is dangerous as well, quite possibly more dangerous. It's the attitude that breeds hate, wars and exclusivity when Jesus lived and died to teach us love, peace and the idea that his salvation was available to all who will simply believe.