More Than Just Fun … Our Very Essence to Understand

I have a book that was one of my father’s textbooks. His edition was printed in 1955 but originally goes back to 1928. I enjoy it for it not only shows the elementary aspects of Greek mythology, it also has handwritten notes from my father. I am enjoying this book along with seeing the insights from dear old dad.

Mythology goes back millennia. People looking at things that they didn’t understand long before science or reasoning from the Enlightenment. They tried to come up with things they could understand. The sun was a boat, lightning was a message from the gods, storms were deities warring, or abundant harvests was a blessing from an appeased god of the harvest … are just some of the things which mankind explained things.

Beyond just intellectual curiosity, Herzberg shares some basic reasoning of why studying mythology is beneficial … plus a few of my own.

• They have a deep influence on great literature

• They have influenced music. The word music comes from the Muses. Many myths describe the origin of instruments. Opera, Classical, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, ACDC … and so many more … have used mythology in the creation of their music.

• They have greatly influenced visual art.

Movies. Sculptors. Artists. All continue to be influenced by mythology.TV shows like Xena and Wishbone.

• Astronomy and Astrology  (think some of the constellations), even the names of planets.

• Preaching. Sometimes telling a story that connects helps bridges pulpit to pew. Hercules connects to younger and older generations. Using some of Aesop’s stories also connects.

Okay, I get it. But what about me, you, today?

I am the first to acknowledge I do not understand everything. I am married – and I still don’t understand women. Oh, the mystery. So I find I have a lot in common with Greeks. I strive to understand. I strive to figure things out. 

Science doesn’t give all the answers. And it even gives conflicting answers at times. Are myths the answer? And would it be Greek or Egyptian or Asian? 

We have the same questions? We want to know how things work. And belief in mythology might be considered an act of faith.

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And I have come to understand, we all have faith in something. Mankind’s religions all have a common denominator of faith – just faith in different things. The unique aspect of Christianity is that our faith is outside of ourselves – not based on works or achievements or intellectual understanding of nature or we have to earn our acceptance. But Christianity is based on our frailty, brokenness, and needing God’s grace and mercy. And I have faith in the God who has revealed Himself through the written Word and the living Word. 

I mean, how can we truly know things beyond ourselves, things of spiritual and cosmic magnitude, unless the One who created all of this reveals it to us.

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I love to get outside. And it’s the mystery of outside that adds to its allure. I don’t expect to ever see any wood nymphs … unless it’s a wood nymph butterfly.

And as I see creation – it doesn’t bring me to mythology – it brings my search for the Creator to the Bible.

I hope you see Him too.