This is a common criticism made against the Bible – that it borrowed or copied stories from other ancient religions and mythologies. However, when examined more closely, these claims do not hold up to scrutiny. Here is an in-depth look at this issue:
Alleged Parallels Between Biblical Accounts and Other Ancient Myths
Some of the main parallels often pointed out between biblical accounts and ancient myths include:
- The Genesis creation account and other ancient creation myths like the Babylonian Enuma Elish.
- Noah’s flood and the Epic of Gilgamesh flood account.
- Biblical characters like Adam, Eve, Moses being similar to mythical figures in other cultures.
- Alleged dying and rising god myths compared to Jesus Christ.
- Miracles recorded in the Bible likened to mythical exaggerations in folklore.
On a superficial level, some of these ancient stories do have similarities with biblical accounts. However, the differences are far more significant when analyzed more carefully.
Key Differences Between Biblical Accounts and Pagan Myths
There are substantial differences between the Bible and mythology in several important respects:
- Monotheism versus Polytheism: The Bible reflects a strictly monotheistic belief in one supreme, transcendent, omnipotent God who created all things. In contrast, myths generally portray a pantheon of competing gods and goddesses with human frailties and limitations.
- Purpose and Message: Unlike myths that often lack coherent narrative structure and clear purpose, biblical accounts convey an intentional message of God’s purpose, humanity’s need for redemption, and God’s unfolding plan. Mythology does not exhibit this overarching purpose.
- Historical Setting: Biblical stories are grounded in identifiable places, time periods, and genealogies of real historical figures. Myths are set in imaginary symbolic locations and ages.
- Literary Style: The biblical style is straight forward historical narrative. Mythological literature is characterized by fantastical stories and poetical language.
- View of Humanity: Humans in biblical accounts are portrayed as real people with flaws and weaknesses. Mythology depicted heroes and gods with supernatural powers and abilities.
- Miracles: Miracles in the Bible are presented as factual and purposeful signs from God. Myths use magic and the supernatural solely to entertain, not teach spiritual truths.
When analyzed closely, alleged parallels between biblical accounts and ancient myths fade away. The differences in worldview, style, and purpose are stark.
Likely Explanations for Apparent Similarities
If the Bible did not borrow from pagan myths, how can we explain seeming similarities in some cases? Here are several plausible explanations:
- Common Ancient Literary Devices: Certain literary techniques like hero archetypes and flood legends were commonly used in ancient Near Eastern literature, including both biblical and mythological accounts.
- Shared Historical and Cultural Settings: The Bible emerged in the context of the ancient Near Eastern milieu and often interacted with or commented on contemporary ideas and stories.
- Recounting Actual Events: Overlapping points about real historical events (like a massive regional flood) could have been retained in both biblical and mythic traditions.
- Revelation from God: As divine revelation, biblical authors could have received direct inspiration from God about the same events vaguely recalled in corrupt mythical versions.
- Archetypal Symbolism: Certain symbols and story patterns resonate with fundamental human concerns and experiences, accounting for some widespread overlaps.
Reasonable explanations exist for similarities between biblical and mythological literature without jumping to the conclusion that the Bible simply borrowed and repackaged myths.
No Evidence the Bible Directly Copied Pagan Myths
Despite occasional striking similarities, there is no evidence the Bible derived its accounts directly from pagan mythology. As authors like Ronald Nash have pointed out:
“The few faint conceptual parallels that some scholars have found between Genesis and Babylonian or Greek myths evaporate on closer inspection. While it is certain that the book of Genesis was written for Jews denied the truth of polytheism and mythology, it is utterly incredible to imagine any Israelite sitting down and deliberately working over the Babylonian creation story into monotheistic form.”
Likewise, Jonathan Sarfati observes:
“If the Bible borrowed liberally from pagan myths and legends, we would expect to find obvious and unmistakable linguistic, literary, theological, philosophical and cultural connections. But we do not.”
There is no solid literary pathway demonstrating the Bible directly copied or even consciously adapted myths into the biblical accounts. Similarities exist at only a superficial level.
Myths Likely Derived from Biblical Accounts
A stronger case can be made that ancient myths actually developed as distorted versions of original biblical events. Scripture directly describes how pagan nations corrupted the truth:
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25)
Many scholars propose Genesis was written between 2000-1500 B.C., centuries before extant copies of Near Eastern mythology. This timeline allows for the possibility of Genesis exerting an influence on subsequent stories and legends:
“Given that Moses probably recorded events in Genesis prior to his death around 1405 B.C., it is very possible the biblical record predates the bulk of mythology.” – Sarfati
This view acknowledges recurring human tendencies to mythologize historical events over time into fanciful legends and stories.
The Bible’s Unique Nature and Transformational Message
Ultimately, the Bible exhibits a decidedly unique nature setting it apart from the mythological literature of the ancient world. As C.S. Lewis highlighted:
“The uniqueness of the Bible…lies in the fact that it is not a cyclical or repetitive myth, but rather tells a linear, historical story. It does not attempt to explain the seasons through mythic archetypes but records God’s creation and control over history and the universe.”
In contrast to mythology’s timeless rituals and archetypes, the Bible conveys an unfolding divine plan centered on Jesus Christ’s life, death for sin, and resurrection. This message of redemption has transformed the lives of countless millions across history and around the globe.
In summary, the evidence does not support claims the Bible simply borrowed and reformatted myths into Scripture. Apparent similarities evaporate under careful analysis. The Bible maintains a distinctive theological and historical identity setting it apart from the mythical literature of the ancient world.
