Freethought & Rationalism Archive

sdega315 · 10-13-2005, 06:56 PM

My 6-yr-old son and I have been reading mythology. We have enjoyed a telling of Gilgamesh and are currently working through some Egyptian stories. I would like him to know about the bible from this perspective. As myth, there are stories as interesting and informative as Prometheus, Horus, etc in the bible. My problem is that I can not find a telling of biblical stories that does not presuppose their "truth." When we read other mythologies, the stories are simply told with dramatic language and vivid imagery. But every "children's bible" I've looked at offers interpretations of the stories I am not comfortable with. I just want the stories with no "spin." Does anyone know of a good source for this type of thing??

==Scott

Chili · 10-13-2005, 09:25 PM

There might be some but probably not in America where religion trumps everything.

MadMez · 10-13-2005, 09:40 PM

Try the good ole Brick Testament..

My grandson loves it. The stories seem so much more appropriate when depicted like this.

Biff the unclean · 10-13-2005, 09:49 PM

A few years back Time Life had a series... Greek MYTHS, Norse MYTHS, Celtic MYTHS, Native American MYTHS, Christian LEGENDS. They didn't dare use the "M" word, even in their mythology series.

Killer Mike · 10-14-2005, 02:13 AM

Id also check out the work of Joseph Campbell. The Joseph Campbell Foundation has a good web site with books videos, etc..

John Kesler · 10-14-2005, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdega315

But every "children's bible" I've looked at offers interpretations of the stories I am not comfortable with. I just want the stories with no "spin." Does anyone know of a good source for this type of thing??

I don't know of a book like you describe, but commentaries and study Bibles written without an inerrancy axe to grind sometimes contain suprisingly candid comments. For example, the New American Bible states the following regarding Genesis 6:1-4:

Quote:

[1-4] This is apparently a fragment of an old legend that had borrowed much from ancient mythology. The sacred author incorporates it here, not only in order to account for the prehistoric giants of Palestine, whom the Israelites called the Nephilim, but also to introduce the story of the flood with a moral orientation--the constantly increasing wickedness of mankind.

Killer Mike · 10-15-2005, 04:27 AM

Here's some more. At the University of Chicago Press you will find "Mythologies" edited by Yvess Bonnefoy. In the Chapter "Roman and European Mythologies" it can be summarized as follows: This Chapter begins with Roman Myths and traces their influence in early Christian and later European literature.

"Gilgamesh Epic and Old Testament Parallels" by Alexander Heidel.
Working from three thousand year old cuniform records, Heidel interprets the famous Gilgamesh Epic and other related Babylonian and Assyrian documents. He compares them with corresponding portions of the Old Testament.

DrJim · 10-15-2005, 07:35 AM

A guy named David Leeming has written a number of books on mythology which sometimes includes biblical stories. I have only seen his "world of myth" which, from a scholarly perspective is not that astute, but from a more popular level is very interesting. He approaches myth from the perspective of Joseph Campbell and C. Jung: they represent archetypcal characters and ideas. Anyway, he now has a number of books out. Check out his website at:

http://www.davidleeming.com

Hope this helps.

Jim Linville

Mike Elphick · 10-15-2005, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdega315

My 6-yr-old son and I have been reading mythology. We have enjoyed a telling of Gilgamesh and are currently working through some Egyptian stories. I would like him to know about the bible from this perspective.

My first posting to BC&H!

If you enjoyed Gilgamesh, you and your son would probably love Haggadah and 'The Creation of the World". My wife introduced me to this in the book entitled 'The Other Bible' (Willis Barnstone, Harper Collins).

This is really funny stuff and greatly refreshing after reading the creation stories in Genesis.

You can read it here

10-13-2005, 06:56 PM	#1
sdega315 New Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1	Bible as myth My 6-yr-old son and I have been reading mythology. We have enjoyed a telling of Gilgamesh and are currently working through some Egyptian stories. I would like him to know about the bible from this perspective. As myth, there are stories as interesting and informative as Prometheus, Horus, etc in the bible. My problem is that I can not find a telling of biblical stories that does not presuppose their "truth." When we read other mythologies, the stories are simply told with dramatic language and vivid imagery. But every "children's bible" I've looked at offers interpretations of the stories I am not comfortable with. I just want the stories with no "spin." Does anyone know of a good source for this type of thing?? ==Scott

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10-13-2005, 09:25 PM	#2
Chili Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 11,885	There might be some but probably not in America where religion trumps everything.

10-13-2005, 09:40 PM	#3
MadMez Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bend, OR, USA Posts: 360	Try the good ole Brick Testament.. My grandson loves it. The stories seem so much more appropriate when depicted like this.

10-13-2005, 09:49 PM	#4
Biff the unclean Banned Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: an inaccessible island fortress Posts: 10,638	A few years back Time Life had a series... Greek MYTHS, Norse MYTHS, Celtic MYTHS, Native American MYTHS, Christian LEGENDS. They didn't dare use the "M" word, even in their mythology series.

10-14-2005, 02:13 AM	#5
Killer Mike Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,033	Id also check out the work of Joseph Campbell. The Joseph Campbell Foundation has a good web site with books videos, etc..

10-15-2005, 04:27 AM	#7
Killer Mike Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,033	Here's some more. At the University of Chicago Press you will find "Mythologies" edited by Yvess Bonnefoy. In the Chapter "Roman and European Mythologies" it can be summarized as follows: This Chapter begins with Roman Myths and traces their influence in early Christian and later European literature. "Gilgamesh Epic and Old Testament Parallels" by Alexander Heidel. Working from three thousand year old cuniform records, Heidel interprets the famous Gilgamesh Epic and other related Babylonian and Assyrian documents. He compares them with corresponding portions of the Old Testament.

10-15-2005, 07:35 AM	#8
DrJim Regular Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lethbridge AB Canada Posts: 445	A guy named David Leeming has written a number of books on mythology which sometimes includes biblical stories. I have only seen his "world of myth" which, from a scholarly perspective is not that astute, but from a more popular level is very interesting. He approaches myth from the perspective of Joseph Campbell and C. Jung: they represent archetypcal characters and ideas. Anyway, he now has a number of books out. Check out his website at: http://www.davidleeming.com Hope this helps. Jim Linville

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