C.S. Lewis has been criticized for calling Christianity and the Bible the “one, true myth.” This is due to a misunderstanding of the word “myth.” While most of us take the word to mean some ancient legend, such as King Arthur, that may or may not contain a granule of truth, or something such as Tam Lin or the story of Perseus that is pure fabrication, there is a definition that though little known, is more applicable to Mr. Lewis’ statement. Myth, or mythos, is defined as a sacred story containing theories of origin and purpose, one that defines a people. Under that paradigm, his statement is one hundred percent accurrate. Moreover, he has been quoted as observing that while he has studied fictional myths and legends his entire life, the Bible is most definitely not that sort of book.
However, both ancient legends and modern stories do contain echoes of that true mythos. In old Greece, stories abounded of the offspring of gods and mortals; Perseus, Hercules, Theseus, and so forth thrilled our forebears. In Germany, Odin, their chief god, died on a tree as a sacrifice to save his people. In Egypt, Osiris died and was reborn. Each of these fictions reflects Christ, as do other tales scattered throughout lore. The Trinity casts a shadow across the pagan myths as well. Fate is said to be a three faced woman, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. The Celts worshipped a triple aspected goddess; Mother, Virgin, and Crone.
Modern tales continue the trend. In other articles, I have explored how this plays out in Doctor Who. Superman is replete with Judeo-Christian imagery, especially in his latest version. The Matrix, albeit with a harder edge, does this very cunningly in the first movie in the series. Although written by an atheist, Star Trek is rife with allusions that turn our minds towards the sacred, especially the episode Bread and Circuses or the third movie. Even the first, much derided, in the film series does this. When Spock returns from his encounter with V’ger, he tells Jim that the space probe wants only what we all want, to contact its creator. The Disney movie, Tron, also made this point. Although they have been lambasted as being very Eastern in their philosophy, the original has many gems, such as the affirmation of life after death, that we are more than our bodies, it is better to die than fall into darkness, and redemption, among others.The “sister” series of films, the Indiana Jones chronicles, at least the first and third, use the power of faith to battle evil. This trend is also evident on the American small screen. Take for example, Stargate Sg1. For most of its run, the team has battled against aliens who bore the names of false gods. In one episode, an overlord named Ba’al captures their leader and during the confrontation that takes place, introduces himself. The hero, with typical sardonic wit quips, “that’s it? Ba’al?” displaying the attitude Christians should have toward the forces of the evil one. That’s it? So what?
What is the point of all this? As St. Paul said in Romans, evidences of God are all around us. His statement was in reference to nature, and it is certainly true that the heavens display God’s glory, but I think that this could be extended. God calls to all whose hearts have ears to hear. In this society where few spend time in nature, is it so incredible to think He might use entertainment in which to plant signposts pointing to His son and His Word?
