Mystical Christianity And The Role Of Myths

Mystical Christianity And The Role Of Myths

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From the Beginning: Tales Of Our Beginnings and Creation

Since the dawn of time, cultures continue to tell stories describing their origins as well as of their Gods. The Jewish people had been no different, leaving us the work of these revered storytellers memorialized within the very 1st verses from the testament termed the Torah, which Christians refer to as the Bible (Old Testament). Over the generations, these particular tales have incited much contention, which continues to this day

A Difficult Challenge

For many people at this time, particularly women, the Bible has become a prolematic as well as increasingly pointless challenge. There seems to be no middle ground - the Bible is either read as literal in all ways or is dismissed as only a way to keep women down. ridding ourselves of all of the positive stuff along with the bad, and starting from the beginning, -- and making themselves willing to accept without question the blame and anger towards women which a strict reading from the Scriptures provides. It really is time for a time-out; a deep breath, as well as a much more reasoned approach to these sacred texts.

For yes, they're sacred; sacred mythology of a long ago time that continues to speak to us today. The expert on myths, Joseph Campbell, has made it known to us that myths are a way to present deep truths in metaphors, making them easier to understand. They take us past the literal and into the realm of soul. Throughout time, men and women have sought answers to the basic questions of existence, and myths are the products of their quests. They work in 4 distinct ways. First, they provide us with an open invitation to mystery Also, they show how things from the the planet and matter might be transformed into things that are holy and sacred. Thirdly, myths clarify or solidify social structure, which is evident throughout the Torah. And finally, myths teach us how to live an authentic human existence.

Cullen Murphy, in his beautifully written synthesis of women and the Bible, The Word According To Eve, suggests that Holy Scripture as we know it has been the catalyst of 4 revolutions, and the 5th is gathering impetus. The first dramatic revolution happened through the Book of Moses, which introduced the idea of there being merely a single God. The Israelites became known by these twin concepts: they were the people of The Book who worshiped only a single God. This set them apart from their neighbors.

The second revolution erupted within Judaism and was the start of Christianity and a new body of writings referred to as the New Testament. It has been fifteen hundred years, but today we are witnessing a change in stressing the importance of Scripture along with the ability for all people to be able to read the words of the bible in their own language instead of having it read to them by a priest. The 4th revolution has been heralded by the enlightenment and ever-evolving challenges to religion and sole authority of Scripture, that has come from the world of science and reason.. In modern times, we are in the midst of the 5th change. Women have become integral parts of the academic circles and are developing new insights using the feminine perspective. And the results? In 1993, Murphy (a Roman Catholic male), wrote an article for The Atlantic Monthly, which now seems prophetic: I write these final words on the day of my daughters 1st communion in a denomination which still restricts the role of women, and I write them with the expectation that with regard to the position of women, matters will not remain - will simply not be able to remain - as in some places we see them now; in the expectation, to employ a biblical turn, that the present ways days are numbered. Murphy goes on to refer to the handwriting on the wall from the Book of Daniel which, traced by a moving finger along the plaster, becomes a judgment, a sentence, and an imminent and unavoidable prophecy for the future. On a host of matters involving women and the Bible, the writing on the wall is there to be read. And more and more of it appears with every passing day.

About the Author:
This is a small part of one lesson on Mystical Christianity, by Mother Maryesah Karelon, offered through the ULCSeminary.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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