To fundamentalists, the Bible is real history but, to anyone else, it is a collection of every kind of writing:
mythology;
legend;
genealogy;
laws;
poetry;
philosophy;
hymns;
theologically interpreted history;
prophecy;
fiction (Ruth, Job, Jonah);
letters;
propaganda.
Since Alan Moore called religions higher fictions, we might call the Bible a higher fictitious history? It covers past and future and includes a flying city.
Poul Anderson's The Boat Of A Million Years and Time Patrol series are past-and-future histories. For the Time Patrol timeline, see here.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I agree with what you said about the Bible, except the bit about it being propaganda. There are certainly reworked mythological elements in it, such as the Flood story. Elements I hold were remolded by the inspired authors to teach revealed theological truths in ways that could be understood by the people who became the Jews.
And the books of Daniel and Revelation simply has to be two most abused and misunderstood books of the entire Bible! Far too briefly and incompletely, Daniel and Revelation should be understood, in part at least, as allegories meant to comfort and encourage persecuted Jews and Christians.
Sean
Sean,
The word "propaganda" can be used neutrally. Thus, we might agree that the Gospels "propagate" the belief that Jesus is Messiah even if we disagree about the belief.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
That meaning of the words "propaganda/propagate" I can accept. After all, the agency of the Catholic Church entrusted with supervision of missionary activities, the Congregation for the PROPAGATION of the Faith, is called "Propaganda Fide" in Latin. With precisely the meaning you gave.
Sean
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