When I say the word “myth” it probably brings up various ideas in your mind. Perhaps you think about the various gods and superhuman characters of Greco-Roman mythology. You might be familiar with the one they call Achilles. The story of Achilles is that he was invulnerable in all of his body except for one heel because when his mother Thetis dipped him in the river Styx as an infant, she held him by one of his heels. In our modern era the term "Achilles' heel" has come to mean a point of weakness, especially in someone or something with an otherwise strong constitution. The Achilles tendon is also named after him due to these myths.
The Bible speaks of myths. The Koine Greek language utilizes the word muthos (μῦθος), 5 times. This word simply is defined as a speech, story, a fable. In the Bible, each time it is used it always means the latter, a myth (fable). Therefore, a myth or fable is something that we must not believe or give any credence to.
Pauls's first letter to Timothy includes 2 uses of this word. It is evident that the Holy Spirit intended for the young preacher to be aware and counter the temptation to go along with fables.
“As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 4 neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now” (1 Tim 1:3-4).
What great instruction for a young preacher. Young preachers need it. I have heard some young preachers who seem to have a particular attraction to myths. In recent years, I have read and heard of a new attraction to the religious practices of “Classical Faith.” If you are not familiar with this, there is an interest in such Roman Catholic and Protestant Reformed “holidays, saints, and lectionaries.
Who could a Christian better learn from an Inspired writer or the fables of men? When we think about genealogies, we probably think about the Jews for obvious reasons. Paul said do not give heed to them, whether it be fables or genealogies. He said to listen to the dispensation of God which is in faith, that is what Paul was giving him right then. The good news is we have access to the perfect revealed word of God, and we need not consult the musings of men who are surely guilty of teaching another doctrine.
Paul reminded Timothy that teaching sound doctrine had great benefits for his hearers and him too. “ If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now: but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness” (1 Tim 4:6-7). The Spirit also repeats this warning to Titus in Titus 1:14, particularly naming them as Jewish fables. To be a good minister of Christ, you must refuse profane and old wives' fables.
God has given us precise instructions concerning fables. Fables are characteristic of people who will not endure sound doctrine but follow teachers after their own lusts. The Spirit says they will and will turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside unto fables”(cf. 2 Tim 4:3-4).
Around December 25th I read of many religious groups that claimed: “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” Many of them were largely inconsistent with their own beliefs. There were many in this nation and our town that canceled their Sunday meetings in favor of Friday or Saturday meetings. In the Lord’s church, we typically do not have this problem because we largely recognize the New Testament pattern for worship on the first day of every week. We also must recognize all that Jehovah has taught. He taught us to stay away from and reject fables, all of them. Some will seem good. Some will seem to make us feel spiritual.
When we face that temptation to embrace myths, let us remember what God has said concerning the matter. Peter said, Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance. For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Peter 1:15-16). We can live fable free only if we go back to the Book. For only in the Book do we find prophecy that is not of private interpretation or willed by mortal men, but the Word we have was given to men who spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit (cf 2 Peter 1:20-21).
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
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