A short history of Myth :: Karen Armstrong

A short history of Myth :: Karen Armstrong

This book caused me to reflect. For me the understanding of myth occurred just a few years ago. The difference of reading something for truth as opposed to a literal meaning. As theologian Marcus Borg writes, to believe in rather than believe that. It hit home while watching The life of PI, two different stories yet both parallel and with the same ending. Which one was real? Which one was true? PI asks the officials which story they prefer at the end of the movie. They choose the story with the animals (Which is way more dramatic). Pi thanks them and says "And so it goes with God."

These type of insights are why I do not give up on fiction. They speak to me.

It is no wonder on reflecting on the Armstrong's book that at least within my past denomination The Vineyard, prophesy, visions have a place in the Church. They have a myth like quality. They take a brake from the literalness, the inerrancy of scripture. It is the remodelling of truths in a different way, parallel to the bible message.

It seems to me stories of myth, are to few in our culture, we are dying in many ways because of it.

 

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Mystics, A history of God, Karen Armstrong

I'm still plodding my way through 'A history of God', I'm reading the chapter on mystics. It's interesting that all three monotheistic religions have 'mystics' who are content with the mystery or unknown element of God, whilst also having a very experiential element to their faith.

One part that caught my eye was how Jewish mystics would prefer not to have a spoken dialog with God rather just to dwell and experience his overwhelming holiness.

It was reminiscent for me, of "ministry". Especially in the Vineyard denomination, at the end of a service, when people were prayed for. I'd heard a number of times pastors saying just to sit in Gods Holiness or his Presence.

It's made me wonder is Pentecostalism at times just a contemporary form of mysticism? It would seem to me that instead of trying to explain away evidence of the Spirit using Evangelical theology maybe it would be worthwhile looking at the Eastern Church and its mystics to explain the Unknown...

 

A History of God, Karen Armstrong Islam

I've just read the chapters on Islam and its beginnings. There are quite a few areas which I have been challenged on. Like Christianity it would appear that political forces have twisted much of the teachings and used them as a political tool to control. Which I think has been magnified in the west.

Some areas which I didn't realise::

Mohammad advocated strongly for the poor and needy

Women were treated very well at times even as equals, and not as they are viewed in the west.

Other religions namely Christianity and Judaism were well respected by the prophet Mohammed.

Islam has faced the same questions as other monotheistic regions: the ideas of justice, how can a good God let bad things happen etc. It's interesting how the answers can at time be the same!