The Bible Among the Myths

John N. Oswalt, The Bible Among the Myths. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008. [http://www.amazon.com/Bible-among-Myths-Revelation-Literature/dp/0310285097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1301585526&sr=1-1]

This book was recommended to me by my Hebrew professor at GPTS, Dr. Shaw. Thank you, Dr. Shaw [read his excellent review at the Amazon link above]. This was an exciting book! It was written in answer to those so-called scholars who say that the religion of ancient Israel was really like the other ancient religions around them. The Israelites simply borrowed from the myths of their pagan neighbors and produced just another syncretistic myth of the day. Never mind that the OT itself says that God had strictly forbidden it! What do they do with that? Some scholars just don’t read their Bible.

In answer to these pundits Oswalt gives us a brilliant discussion of the characteristics of the pagan mythical worldview and the features of the religion it produces. Then he contrasts it with the biblical worldview and the revealed religion of the Lord, which, of course, is the complete opposite of Israel’s neighbors. In explaining the paganism of the ancient world the author does us two services. First, he helps us to see many important points in the OT that we probably just pass over in our ignorance. His clarification of ancient idolatry goes a long way in showing us how abhorrent it is to God and why He so consistently condemned and punished it among His people. Secondly, Oswalt makes comparisons with the pagan worldview of today. Wow! The similarities are scary. Knowing this is crucial for understanding where postmodern unbelievers are, and helpful in our approach to them. Taken far enough, an understanding of the pagan worldview can uncover idols both in church and believer.

Such a pitiful book review! It does not begin to do justice to the book. Just click on the link and order it NOW. [No, I do not get a commission on the sale. Just trying to make it easy for you to get this great book.] You won’t be disappointed. You might even get as excited about it as I did, and still am. I hope to develop this theme in future posts because it has been so enlightening to me. There ARE only two worldviews…