Mythology (Reformed Baptist Perspective)

Definition:

Mythology refers to a collection of myths—traditional stories that often involve gods, supernatural beings, or heroes and seek to explain natural phenomena, origins of the world, customs, or human existence. These myths are part of a culture’s worldview, often serving to impart moral teachings or cultural values. In the Reformed Baptist perspective, mythology is generally understood as a human-made attempt to explain the world that stands in contrast to the truth of God revealed in Scripture.

While mythology may hold cultural, historical, or literary value, it is not seen as authoritative or truthful in comparison to the Bible, which is the infallible and sufficient revelation of God. In Christian doctrine, mythology is often regarded as the product of human speculation or the distortion of divine truth, especially when it contradicts the biblical account of creation, salvation, and the nature of God.

Key Concepts:

1. Mythology and Creation:
   Many mythologies contain creation stories, which attempt to explain the origin of the world and humanity. Reformed Baptists affirm the biblical account of creation in Genesis 1-2 as the literal and historical truth, rejecting mythological accounts of creation as false and contrary to Scripture.

   Key Verse:

   • Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

2. Theological Myths vs. Biblical Truth:
   Mythology often contains theological elements, such as gods or supernatural beings, who control or shape the universe. In contrast, Reformed Baptists affirm that there is one true God, the Creator of all things, as revealed in Scripture. Any mythology that suggests multiple gods or a pantheistic view of the world is rejected.

   Key Verse:

   • Isaiah 44:6: "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.'"

3. Mythology and Morality:
   While mythology may be used to convey moral lessons, these lessons are not authoritative for Christians. The Bible alone serves as the source of divine instruction on morality. Myths can reflect human attempts to understand right and wrong but are not reliable for teaching God’s moral will.

   Key Verse:

   • 2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

4. Mythology in False Religions:
   Many false religions or cults rely on mythological stories to explain the nature of the divine or the cosmos. Reformed Baptists believe these mythologies are inherently false, as they stand in opposition to the truth of God revealed in Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ.

   Key Verse:

   • 1 Corinthians 8:5-6: "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."

5. The Purpose of Mythology:
   While mythology can serve as an expression of human creativity and an attempt to make sense of the world, it is ultimately insufficient and inferior to the truth of Scripture. Reformed Baptists understand the Bible as the ultimate source of truth, which speaks directly to the purpose and meaning of life, creation, and salvation, whereas mythology is a human effort to explain what only God can reveal.

   Key Verse:

   • John 17:17: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

Reformed Baptist View of Mythology:

1. Mythology as a Cultural Expression:
   Reformed Baptists acknowledge that mythology plays a significant role in the cultural expressions and literary traditions of many societies. However, these myths are understood to be human stories with limited value in terms of revealing truth about God and creation. The Bible alone is the true source of all knowledge about God and His works.

2. Rejecting Myths in Favor of Biblical Truth:
   In contrast to mythological explanations of the world, Reformed Baptists emphasize the sufficiency of Scripture in providing true knowledge about God. The Bible teaches that God’s revelation is clear, accessible, and trustworthy, making mythology and false religious stories unnecessary and deceptive.

3. Theological Implications:
   Reformed Baptists reject any mythology that introduces multiple gods, immortality of the soul through cycles of reincarnation, or other ideas that contradict Scripture. The biblical narrative affirms one God, the Creator, and the reality of sin and salvation through Jesus Christ, providing a redemptive story that is uniquely true.

4. Mythology and the Gospel:
   Myths may appear to offer meaning or moral lessons, but they do not provide the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ alone. Reformed Baptists affirm the centrality of the gospel message—Christ’s death, resurrection, and return—as the only true hope for humanity, unlike the incomplete or false promises found in mythology.

Sources for Further Study:

• Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: This book covers the doctrines of God, creation, and salvation, offering clear explanations about how these biblical teachings stand in contrast to mythological and false religious views.
• John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion: Calvin’s work addresses the relationship between God's Word and human speculation, including the role of idolatry and mythology in false religious systems.
• Francis Schaeffer, The God Who Is There: Schaeffer discusses the contrast between Christian theism and the mythological thinking found in non-Christian worldviews, arguing for the truth of biblical Christianity.
• R.C. Sproul, The Holiness of God: This book explores the nature of God and the need for a proper understanding of God’s revelation in contrast to false ideas and myths about the divine.

Conclusion:

In Reformed Baptist thought, mythology is seen as a collection of human stories, often containing elements of moral teaching or explanations of the world, but ultimately incapable of offering truth about God and salvation. The Bible is upheld as the final and authoritative source of knowledge about creation, morality, and the gospel, and any mythology that contradicts these biblical truths is rejected. While mythology may have cultural significance, it is not to be equated with the divine truth found in Scripture.