Would it be correct to say that the Gospels are a "raised" or "elevated" form of myth? Or because they reveal absolute truth are they not mythical in form at all - just misidentified as such by Derrida and co?
Great question. Insofar as myth is synonymous with "lie" then Girard would say no. But at the anthropological level, through the study of man qua man, the Gospel story shares a similar form with myth. Even then, I don't believe the Gospels are "elevated" myths but are reverse myths -- they take the form of myth but turn it back on itself, turning it over, to reveal a dark but fundamental aspect of human nature.
The Bible as a whole seems so violent compared to myths not because it has more violence, but because it reveals the violence for what it is, which is self-justified violence against the innocent, the weak, and the vulnerable (or generally "the other"). "If it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin," writes St. Paul -- since the myths lack the law of God, they also lack knowledge of their own sin. Christ not only reveals sin in its fullest measure (and our blind slavery to it) by his Sacrifice but offers us freedom from it through repentance, the antidote to scapegoating.
Would it be correct to say that the Gospels are a "raised" or "elevated" form of myth? Or because they reveal absolute truth are they not mythical in form at all - just misidentified as such by Derrida and co?
Great question. Insofar as myth is synonymous with "lie" then Girard would say no. But at the anthropological level, through the study of man qua man, the Gospel story shares a similar form with myth. Even then, I don't believe the Gospels are "elevated" myths but are reverse myths -- they take the form of myth but turn it back on itself, turning it over, to reveal a dark but fundamental aspect of human nature.
The Bible as a whole seems so violent compared to myths not because it has more violence, but because it reveals the violence for what it is, which is self-justified violence against the innocent, the weak, and the vulnerable (or generally "the other"). "If it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin," writes St. Paul -- since the myths lack the law of God, they also lack knowledge of their own sin. Christ not only reveals sin in its fullest measure (and our blind slavery to it) by his Sacrifice but offers us freedom from it through repentance, the antidote to scapegoating.
This was such a good read! I knew you wrote it from the title alone. But so enjoyed your reflections!
Oh no, am I so predictable?? Thank you!
It’s your style: I love it!