Nothing New

Nothing is new under the sun.

Interesting the easy comparisons between Myths and fairy tales and God’s Word. Watching the similarities between God’s Word and stories intrigue me. Talking animals, bear heads with lion bodies, dragons can all be found in the Bible.

Seeing the mythical as a way of bringing someone to the Gospel is definitely a new concept for me. I grew up somewhat banned from fairy tale stories. Harry Potter was a definite no, never saw Lord of the Rings and I still would never sit down through a Twilight movie. Nevertheless it was amazing for me to see the Gospel as a fairy tale. The most enchanting story of a world ravaged by evil and redeemed in the most unexpected way. It adds a new admiration of the scriptures and my amazing King. Seeing God as a mystery is also discomforting for me, if it were possible, I’d probably be content with having God in my own box where I can fully understand him. This idea probably stemming from the curse of wanting to be in control, of wanting to have power over how other people are so that I never step out of my narrow, comfortable thatched roof hut.  But then I’ve always wanted to be a detective.

The Gospel as fairy tale was a concept I hadn’t thought of and I do disagree to some point with the mythical stories- no you’re not going to be demon possessed if you read it and yes like C.S. Lewis God can use them to reveal the beauty of the Gospel. However some stories like that can cause someone to use it to replace the real story. It’s how it’s used that is bad and that’s why I think people started going to the extreme and labelling it all as unholy and evil. Sometimes mythical stories encourage worshipping something that is not God, not something to show a part of God either but to worship ourselves or others. Also some stories elevate evil and turn it into something amazing. Witches are good once they use their powers properly. Sometimes the whole idea of having special power and owning magic stems comes from romanticising with the idea that we as humans can have greater power within ourselves without the need of God. At least in my opinion that is how the characters are created. It does stand to reason that in the Bible Satan is called the master liar and every time he used his deceiving powers in the Bible he always mixed truth in. In a way that’s how I see some mythical stories can end up being, stories with a little bit of truth but just enough lies to keep the viewer away from the truth.

So where mythical stories are involved, I believe it is important not to say all are evil but it is also just as important, to use Prof. Leeper’s words, to know what kind of conversation the director/ writer is trying to communicate with you.