Jesus and Myth
1. Introduction:
Gospels, Myth and Culture
Are Jesus and the Gospel accounts mythological? This course engages these questions in response to the popular yet false claims of today’s myth-culture. The course follows the book Jesus and Myth through its argument that Jesus alone is not mythological, while everyone else is inured in myth,
in ‘myth-culture.’
2. Method:
Narratology and Social-Science
The second episode in the series called Jesus and Myth, exploring the question, 'Is Jesus mythological?' In this talk we learn the method for discerning whether or not Jesus is mythological. Join in the discussion below.
3. Mark 1:1–15:
Sameness and Distinction
Dr. Barber offers the third talk on the book Jesus and Myth, in which we begin to study the Gospel of Mark, verse by verse, discovering that Jesus is NOT myth! Join in the discussion below.
4. Mark 1:16–3:6:
Scandal and Diffusion
Dr. Barber guides us into the second episode of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We study the third motif, Mark 1:16-3:6, where we see that while the world is full of scandals, Jesus is full of grace, diffusing scandal. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
Join in the discussion below.
5a. Mark 3:7–8:26:
Scandal and Diffusion
Continuing the second episode - Scandal and Diffusion - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We study the 4th motif, Mark 3:7-8:26, where we see that while the world's scandal escalates and expands to everyone, Jesus alone is full of grace, diffusing scandal in greater and grander ways. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
5b. Mark 3:7–8:26:
Scandal and Diffusion
Concluding the second episode - Scandal and Diffusion - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We complete the 4th motif, Mark 3:7-8:26, where we see that while the world's scandal is escalating and expanding to everyone, Jesus alone remains full of grace, diffusing scandal in greater and grander ways. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
6. Mark 8:27–10:45:
Snare of Striving and Deference
Beginning the 3rd episode - Snare of Striving and Deference - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We look at the 5th motif, Mark 8:27-10:45, in which we find that while everyone else is caught up in the battle of striving against God and one another, Jesus alone uniquely embraces 'defeat,' deferring to His Heavenly Father's will and purpose. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
7. Mark 10:46–11:33:
Snare of Striving and Deference
Concluding the 3rd episode - Snare of Striving and Deference - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We look at the 6th motif, Mark 10:46-11:33, in which we find that while everyone else is caught up in the battle of striving against God and one another, Jesus alone uniquely embraces 'defeat,' deferring to His Heavenly Father's will and purpose. Jesus' faith in His Father is perfect, and He calls on us to fight the 'battle' of faith as well, instead of giving in to fear, unbelief, and scapegoating. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
8. Mark 12:1–44:
Scapegoating and Deliverance
Beginning the 4th episode - Scapegoating and Deliverance - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We look at the 7th motif, Mark 12:1-12:44, in which we find that while everyone else is attempting to scapegoat their 'ascending enemy,' Jesus Christ, Jesus alone enjoys a 'hero's recovery,' providing deliverance to Israel and all of Adam's race. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
9a. Mark 13:1–14:52:
Scapegoating and Deliverance
Concluding the 4th episode - Scapegoating and Deliverance - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We look at the 8th motif, Mark 13:1-14:52, in which we find that while everyone else is enjoying a mythological 'hero's recovery' by scapegoating Jesus Christ, Jesus alone uniquely experiences and describes His non-mythological 'enemies' ascendance,' while providing deliverance/salvation to Israel and all of Adam's race. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!