Part of a good education is knowing our literary heritage as Western Christians, and this includes knowing great myths and legends. At Mount Hope, our students read ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology; the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid; the legends of Beowulf, King Arthur, and Robin Hood; and even stories from Grimm’s Fairy Tales (always a hit!). It isn’t surprising that these stories are worth our while. They have influenced countless thinkers and authors. Many are constantly referenced by writers such as Dante, Shakespeare, and Milton. They show us, in a concrete way, the virtues that were praised or the vices that were condemned by any given Western people.
But what should we do when a myth or legend teaches something that simply isn’t true? What if truth and falsehood are mixed together? What if the story is just plain weird? Or more seriously, what if it contains something harmful to a Christian’s conscience?
This matter of “plundering the Egyptians,” that is, nabbing any goods we can from pagan authors, has long been discussed among Christian teachers. We might extend the discussion to later legends as well, since they can be just as strange and confusing. How can a Christian make off with the good in these stories while leaving the harmful behind?
We must begin with the Word of God. It alone teaches us what is true or false or good or evil. When we read a myth or legend with our students, we prepare them to measure what they read against the Bible. We ask the simple questions: What was true? What was false? With Scripture as our standard, we are free to honestly examine and critique any given myth or legend without having to either justify its wrongs or condemn it as a whole. Is it true that Thor is the god of thunder and Freya is the goddess of love? Of course not. But is it true that some things, like the weather and love, are out of man’s control, and even the pagan knows the limits of his power? Yes! And while we’re at it, we can discuss the true God who became Man, who commands the tempest and who is Himself Love. Or, to move to later legends, is it true that the cup from the Lord’s Supper should, like the Holy Grail, be carried around and worshiped until someone is pure enough to take it? No! But is it true that we should treat the Lord’s Supper reverently? Yes—which does not mean to bow down to it in a ghastly parade, but, as Jesus said, to eat it and to drink it for our forgiveness, made worthy not by our own purity, but by repentance and faith in His words. Whether we’re reading of vengeful gods or enchanted chapels, the light of God’s Word allows us to distinguish the plunder from the rubble.
The Bible also helps us know which myths and legends we should spend time with in the first place. Not all are created equal. Stories that accurately show the nature of man, rightly teach virtue and vice, or reflect the story of our salvation are certainly worthwhile. Stories that are just fun tall tales or exciting adventures may simply serve to delight. On the other hand, stories that fill the mind with dirty images or tempting desires should not be read. Such things can harm a Christian even if he is aware of them, just as a disease, even if rightly diagnosed, still does its damage. With wisdom from God’s Word, and by knowing the needs of their students, parents and teachers can discern what is best to read and study.
Christians possess the Truth Himself, and every other true and good thing is ours for the taking. With wisdom from God’s Word, we have at our fingertips a wealth of wonderful stories that can ultimately point us to Him. Thank God for His Word, which teaches us to know and love the truth!
In Christ,
Miss Hahn
Painting: Aeneas’ Flight from Troy by Federico Barocci, 1598
