Demythologization: A big word that makes God small

Say that three times fast.

Demythologization: This was the word that stuck with me from Easter Sunday. Yes, of course, resurrection did as well, but demythologization so accurately identified what I’d been struggling to formulate in my mind and articulate to others.

So, what is it?

Demythologization is the process of reinterpreting portions of Scripture that are considered, by some, mythical.  That is, taking the true stories of Scripture and deeming them implausible because, well, they’re supernatural. I mean, parting the Red Sea? Um…. that doesn’t happen.  A worldwide flood? Let’s get real. Walking on water?  Certainly not. So, in order to make the Bible more palatable (and believable!) we reinterpret those portions to find the moral, the “deeper” meaning, the more spiritual meaning.

We turn a proclamation into a philosophy. A life-giving revelation into a life-advice suggestion. Because really, we’re much too sophisticated to believe in children’s tales like a man swallowed by a fish or a little girl rising from the dead.

Come on, get real. 

Now, while this might seem like the last thing you or I would do, I realized that this is exactly what I do, in subtle ways, all the time.

I’ve mentioned before, I’m reading through the Scriptures for the umpteenth this year, but it’s like having brand new eyes. I keep saying to Jeff while I’m reading my Bible, “Have you read this thing?! This is CRAZY! There’s crazy stuff in here.”

The whole Bible is ridiculously unbelievable. That is, unless you believe. [bctt tweet=”The whole Bible is ridiculously unbelievable. That is, unless you believe. “]

I thought I believed. And I did. A little bit. But of course the Christian life is a long journey of becoming a believer.

I just hadn’t realized how much of the Bible I was consistently glossing over, or subconsciously reinterpreting in order to make it more plausible. Especially in my teaching. I know I’m not *ahem* alone in this. 🙂 This happens in sermons all the time.

The classic example: We read the story of Jesus calming the storm, commanding the wind and waves to obey and be still. And we take that to mean that Jesus can calm the storms in our hearts.

Um… Yes, He can. But this also means Jesus does miracles! He can command the weather! Jesus is Lord over creation! He can stop storms, He can work wonders, He can say a word and completely alter the course of our lives and the forces of nature. And He commands us to not fear. There is nothing impossible for Him. This God-man calms storms and walks on water and turns water to wine and feeds 5,000 and heals the sick and raises the dead.

Crazy stuff. See what I mean?

If Jesus just raised a little girl from the dead I don’t want to interpret that to mean that God can resurrect my mood when I feel sad. Of course He can, but there are plenty of other passages of Scripture to show me that. When He raises the dead it means He raises the dead. It means He has the power to forgive sin and give life and overcome all the forces of evil at work in this world.

See what I mean?

Demythologization centers all of scripture on self and sees only what is humanly possible, shrinking down the Holy God of all creation to just another self-help philosophy on the shelf at Barnes & Noble.

Let’s not do that. Let’s commit afresh to a childlike faith, believing God is who He says He is and does what He says He does.

No matter how unbelievable it may be, let’s believe.

Let’s become small in our own eyes so that God may be big once again.

Thanks for reading.