[Some German] ... biblical critics gave the following general definition of
the mythus. It is the representation of an event or of an idea in a form which
is historical, but, at the same time characterized by the rich pictorial and
imaginative mode of thought and expression of the primitive ages.
The quote is from
Strauss’ Life ofJesus Critically Examined. Strauss’ approach has several flaws. Firstly, he
claims that science has no room for presuppositions. However, judged by his own
words, suspicion is his presupposition. Secondly, he applies his principles to
all genres of the Bible without discernment. Again, based on his words one
should conclude that a poetic text could not therefore be true in any
circumstances since it is “pictorial and imaginative.” This can hardly be true (edit. Strauss understands the literary genres; why then does he not take that into consideration?).
Strauss seems to be proud of how far he is able to go in revealing all the
myths of the Bible, but the reader is left to wonder how God has survived his
open fire? Furthermore, if the Bible is true about God, who is Strauss to say
about anything: that is impossible, therefore it cannot be?! Perhaps some of the greatest things in the whole world are so beautiful and so wonderful that they seem like myths - or foolishness to the perishing world, as Paul put it. (edit. Strauss' view about salvation becomes clearer later on in his book - therefore more about that later on!)
Strauss, David Friedrich, 1808-1874;
Eliot, George, 1819-1880. The life of Jesus critically examined (Kindle
Locations 1061-1063). London : Swan Sonnenechevin.
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