Did Jesus Become a Myth So Faith Could Survive?

Bultmann’s Mythology of Jesus

As we move towards Easter 2025 and we celebrate the life and ministry of Jesus and ultimately his death on the cross, we must consider who Jesus became after death. This week, I want to explore the life after Jesus and the theology and the religion that arose after his death. What I am going to discuss this week is very nuanced, controversial and needs more than 1000 words to cover. I am only going to scratch the surface.  

Bultmann views the mythological elements around Jesus as transforming him into a figure of divine transcendence. These myths shaped early Christian theology, providing a foundation that transcended historical facts and offered a symbolic understanding of Jesus’ impact. The resurrection narratives and appearances emphasized spiritual rebirth and eternal life, resonating with early believers. 

This perspective on mythology isn’t simply a dismissal of historical events but rather an embrace of the profound truths they convey through symbolic language. Bultmann’s approach invites us to see beyond the literal to the transformative power of the myth, which speaks to the human condition and the quest for meaning. As we delve deeper into the theology that emerged post-resurrection, we observe a shift from the immediacy of Jesus’ earthly ministry to a broader cosmic significance, where Christ becomes a symbol of hope, renewal, and the ultimate victory over death. This theological evolution underscores the enduring relevance of Jesus’ message and its capacity to inspire and guide future generations in their spiritual journeys. 

Myth as a Rhetorical Device 

Something I have written about before is the idea that the biblical stories were not told or written with modern readers in mind. Most often, these were oral stories that eventually were recorded on some medium that would then be re-recorded in some other medium and so on, like a long-form game of telephone.  

The bible is not alone in the way it uses several literary devices to tell stories. In seminary, we talked about the extensive use of the trickster tale to tell many of the stories of Genesis and other stories of the Old Testament. Jesus uses parables, which are similar to the notion in koans in Buddhist teachings. The most famous form of myth in the bible is the creation myth that occurs in Genesis 1 and 2.  

All these elements are known as rhetorical devices. Rhetorical devices are techniques used by speakers and writers to persuade or engage their audience. They include methods like repetition, metaphors, and analogies, which help make arguments more compelling and memorable. 

As a rhetorical device, myth is used in the bible to influence the reader by conveying shared values and beliefs through storytelling. With Jesus, the early writers were aware that there was something acutely different about Jesus’ relationship with the divine and used language reserved for Caesar and other socio-political and religious elements to elevate his human feats to the divine. As the Way of Jesus became Christianity, these stories created a sense of community and guided the early behaviors of the Christian followers by framing their experiences in ways that resonated with cultural and social norms.  

Digging Deeper into Bultmann’s Thoughts  

Digging deeper into Bultmann’s thoughts, we find that he proposed that the New Testament contains mythological elements that need to be “demythologized” to reveal the underlying spiritual truths. He believed that understanding these myths is essential for modern faith, suggesting that the historical details of Jesus’s life are less important than the message of the Gospel itself. 

Bultmann argued that the New Testament was written with a mythological worldview, which included supernatural events and a three-tiered cosmos. He believed this perspective is outdated for modern people who understand the world scientifically. Bultmann’s main goal was “demythologization,” stripping away myths to reveal the New Testament’s existential message. He aimed to reinterpret the historical events’ meanings to make them relevant for contemporary readers, bridging the gap between ancient myths and modern scientific views. 

Demythologization: A Path to Authentic Faith 

It is said that imitation is the ultimate form of flattery. In much of my seminary training, I was confronted with the reality that there was a historical Jesus. While prior to my attending seminary, I kind of was aware of this, I never considered it critically until I learned about historical criticism among others.  

Faith in a God or a divine being is a transrational experience. Science or reason cannot explain it (Look at Nietzsche’s “God is Dead” argument) Bultmann believed that modern people living in modern ages with all the scientific advances were hindered by the mythological aspects of the New Testament. His interpretation of interpretation allowed individuals to encounter the existential truths of the gospel without being bogged down by mythological language. 

For Bultmann, the essence of the Christian message lies in the proclamation of the “Word of God” that calls individuals to a personal relationship with Jesus. He emphasized the importance of faith (See Hebrews 11) as an existential decision rather than mere intellectual assent to doctrinal truths. In this sense, Bultmann’s demythologization was not an attempt to discard the Christian faith but rather to make it relevant and accessible to modern believers. 

I could go on for a while about this, it is quite fascinating. I would strongly encourage you to look up Bultmann’s book, “Jesus Christ and Mythology” or follow the links to the essay from Cambridge University and look at it.  

Conclusion 

To reiterate, faith is a transrational experience. We can never truly understand what the ancients were feeling, experiencing or thinking when they told the bible stories. What we can consider is what we get from these stories, hope, faith and inspiration, among others. By demythologizing the New Testament, Bultmann opens a pathway for modern readers to engage deeply with the spiritual essence of the Gospel. In doing so, we can foster a personal and transformative relationship with the divine that is unencumbered by the mythological frameworks of the past.  

When use this process, we enrich our understanding and appreciation of our Christian faith. This ensures its relevance and vitality in a world that is increasingly evolving.