Why are false gods and mythology part of a classical Christian curriculum?
- Dr. Timothy Dernlan
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Understanding the myths helps us see the truth!
Imagine trying to put together a puzzle, but you’re missing a few key pieces. You wouldn’t get the whole picture, right? Well, understanding history, literature, and even the Bible is like that puzzle, and learning about false gods and mythology gives us those missing pieces.
Religion and objects of worship are central to every culture. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans worshiped many gods, while the Hebrews and Christians worshiped one true God. This difference caused great tensions, even leading to persecution and wars. By learning about these false gods and myths, students gain a fuller understanding of history, art, and the Bible. The apostle Paul shows us that Jesus is the true fulfillment of many myths throughout history. Recognizing these patterns helps us see the false gods and myths in our own culture and understand how they contrast with the truth of Christ.
As John Milton once said, “The end then of learning is to repair the ruins of our first parents by regaining to know God aright.”
In Acts 17:23, Paul says, “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”
Understanding the myths helps us see the truth!
Summary
Religion and objects of worship are an integral part of every culture. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans were polytheistic (worshiped many gods), but the Hebrews and Christians were monotheistic (worshiped one God). This caused great tensions and resulted in persecution and wars. Students cannot fully understand history, literature, art, and the Bible without a knowledge of the false gods and mythology promoted in pagan cultures. The apostle Paul also makes it clear that Jesus is the true fulfillment of the many false myths and gods found throughout history. Learning to see these patterns in history helps students to see the false gods and myths presented as truth in our current culture.
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by Dr. Timothy Dernlan, in partnership with the Classical Christian Education Alliance
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