Over the last few years, I have had an idea bouncing around in my head and in my spirit. Mythology. Not ancient mythology, but the stories we tell and share in our churches today.
Mythology in ancient cultures was used to describe what was not understood. It was an attempt to understand phenomenon occurring in their lives. It helped make the world easier to navigate. It is easy now to wave off the notion that the reason we have seasons is because Persephone, who was tricked by Hades to eat a piece of fruit in the underworld. Due to her desire for a piece of pomegranate, she would live out the rest of her days with Hades. However, a deal was brokered and she was allowed to live a portion of the year among the living. During this time of year, there would be flowers, sun, warmth, etc. In essence, Spring and Summer are the times Persephone is roaming the earth. Fall and Winter are the mourning months where she lives her days in the underworld. We know now, that our seasons are based on the position of The Earth in relation to The Sun. But for ancient civilizations, they did not have the benefit of that knowledge. They made up what they needed to so their world made sense.
I have grown up in church all of my life. The Church is no stranger to perpetuating its own brand of mythology. “God helps those who help themselves!” is a favorite. But that is not in the bible. Nowhere. Algernon Sidney said that first, then Benjamin Franklin popularized the phrase. Yet, we quote it from Notinthebible Chapter 1 verse 1. It’s a way to explain why there isn’t an answer to prayer or to reason why someone can’t understand their personal trajectory. A well-meaning church member (or non-church goer) will hurl this phrase as a blanket accusation as to why things just don’t work out. Rather than sitting with the questions and the anguish of the people we are meant to comfort and love, we find a way to shift blame to them. Surely it must be their fault. “Surely you messed up somewhere!”
I personally believe that we do this because we have a very misguided #blessed narrative that is pervasive in Western Theology. I mean, if your life is not ALL triumph ALL the time, are you EVEN doing it RIGHT?! So, rather than exploring our own questions and disappointments in church, we make up our myths to keep things light and easy to “understand”.
I am going to explore Church Mythology for a while. I want to find where we have failed ourselves and others in our attempts to avoid the exploration of damaging theology that keeps us bound in shame and angry at God. I am going to find out what myths we get told in lieu of compassionate understanding, lament and the desire to understand God and His heart better.
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