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!
9b. 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!
10. Mark 14:53–15:14:
Satiation and Dispersive Display
Beginning the 5th episode - Satiation and Dispersive Display - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We look at the 9th motif, Mark 14:53-15:14, in which we find that while everyone else is engaging in the mythological Battle Rejoined by collectively sating themselves on Jesus Christ, Jesus alone uniquely enjoys His non-mythological 'Victory,' while dispersing and displaying to Israel and all of Adam's race the Truth and Life eternal. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
11. Mark 15:15–15:41:
Satiation and Dispersive Display
Concluding the 5th episode - Satiation and Dispersive Display - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We look at the 10th motif, Mark 15:15-15:41, in which we find that while everyone else is engaging in the mythological Victory by collectively sating themselves on Jesus Christ's suffering and death on the Cross, Jesus alone uniquely enjoys His non-mythological 'Battle Rejoined,' while dispersing and displaying to Israel and all of Adam's race His glory, His love, and His life eternal for whomsoever believes. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
12. Mark 15:42–16:8:
Segregation and Deification
Beginning the 6th episode - Segregation and Deification - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We look at the 11th motif, Mark 15:42-16:8, in which we find that while everyone else is engaging in the mythological Enemy Punished motif by collectively segregating Jesus Christ, or themselves also being segregated by the world's powers, Jesus alone uniquely enjoys His non-mythological 'Triumph,' while deifying believers of Israel and all of Adam's race, whomsoever believes. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
13. Mark 16:9–20:
Segregation and Deification
Concluding the 6th episode - Segregation and Deification - of the two patterns in the Gospel account. We look at the 12th and final motif, Mark 16:9-20, in which we find that while everyone else is engaging in the mythological Triumph motif by segregating or being segregated, Jesus alone uniquely enjoys His non-mythological 'Enemy Punished,' punishing the sin of unbelief, while deifying believers of Israel and all of Adam's race, whomsoever believes. Once again, we see that while everyone else is mythological, Jesus alone is not!
14. Jesus' Conquest of Myth
Concluding our study of the book and course, Jesus and Myth, we consider the ramifications and applications of our newfound understanding of the two patterns: myth-culture's and Jesus'. In which pattern will you walk? By the Spirit of Jesus, indwelling you by faith, you can participate in the divine nature, walking in Jesus' pattern.