THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF MYTHS

Myths are stories that are based on tradition. Some may have factual origins, while others are completely fictional. But myths are more than mere stories; they serve profound purpose in ancient and modern culture. The myths of lost paradise, for example, give people hope that by living a virtuous life, they can earn a better life in "the hereafter". Some myths simply reassure, such as myths that explain natural phenomena as the actions of gods, rather than nonpersonal events of nature. The subjects of myths reflect the universal concerns of humans throughout history: birth, death, the afterlife, the origin of humans and the world, good and evil and the nature of human beings. For example, cultures worldwide, from the Middle East to the distant mountains of South America have myths about great floods, virgin births, and the afterlife. The purpose of a myth is to provide the people of a culture with a story which they can interpret within the value system of their culture.