Myth Became Fact: Storytelling, Imagination, and Apologetics in the Bible Paperback – November 17, 2012

This is somewhat of a sequel to Godawa's  Word Pictures: Knowing God Through Story & Imagination  and builds on the themes of storytelling in the Bible, understanding the proper context of Bible genres and the subversion of non-Christian beliefs. His chapter on Paul's subversion of pagan thinkers and myths (Acts 17) is great place to start to see how apologetics can take truths from elsewhere and point them to God. This "subversion" - the taking and respecting of truths from elsewhere and showing how they point to the Truth - can be a much more effective apologetic than the aggressive approach of some. We also see the importance of paying attention to the genre in which a biblical book is written. This is critical to understanding what one is reading and Godawa uses Revelation as a prime example (Chapter 5) (see also  End Times  and  The Apocalypse Code ).He spends some time discussing the Near East imagery used in throughout the Bible, particularly in the creation account. His argument (drawn largely from the work of John H. Walton) is that understanding the Near East imagery dispenses with all the debates on how to interpret Genesis. While there is a lot of value in what he's writing in understanding the proper context of many verses throughout the Bible, he may be taking the argument too far in Genesis. Yes, there are obvious Near East parallels, but does that mean no multiple layers of meaning? Is this not the inspired word of God? Genesis isn't a science book, and some theories like young-earthism are an obvious force-fit, but that doesn't negate everything. Don't use the Near East cosmography approach in an "either-or" manner like young-earthism. See also  A Matter of Days , Navigating Genesis  and  Did Adam and Eve Really Exist?  for more studies in the topic.

An interesting boo, consisting of a collection of previously published essays. All are heavily footnoted and some are from respected journals.Old Testament Storytelling Apologetics and Biblical Creation, Storytelling: Cosmos, Combat and Covenant, and The Universe in Ancient Imagination are all somewhat similar, and although they explore differing themes, they contain some of the same material. This potentially could have been reworked so that the three chapters fit together. This would have perhaps allowed for a more in-depth look at the themes. A good review of the topic of the early chapters of Genesis, but there are a lot of points - as noted, heavily footnoted - and I would like to have seen a few less points and more explanation - more storytelling, to fit in with the theme.New Testament Storytelling Apologetics focuses on Paul's sermon to the pagans on Mars Hill as an example of communicating eh Gospel by subverting a pagan worldview. Very interesting concepts. This was one of my favorite essays. It challenges (as does the final essay) Christian aversion to certain cultural elements.Mythopoeia in Prophecy and Apocalyptic Genre is a detailed defense of a preterist view of teh end times. I did not agree with Godawa, and thought some of the points were stretched a bit thin, but I enjoyed reading it and it was challenging.An Apologetic of Biblical Horror is, as the title says, a defense of horror (primarily films but some literature) as being of value to Christians. Again, my only complaint is that I wish there was more - it was well thought out but could use further development.Definitely worth a read. I hope Godawa fleshes some of these out further in future books.

I just bought this book based upon my trust in Brian Godawa. I have read extensively from his website and have the first books of his 'Chronicles of the Nephilim' series. I have found the author to be as refreshing as he is bold in sharing his heart; both of his faith in the God of the Bible and his love of for storytelling as a way of sharing deep truths and the things that matter most to most of humanity. I hope this came out right.This is the first time I have ever given a review of a book where I only read the preview sample... the Preface. I would not do so if I did not have a history of reading the author's works. I am confident that if you wish to delve into a fresh Christian Worldview that uses contemporary cultural media and an active imagination to share age-old Biblical truths in their contemporary settings... as written and understood by the inspired writers in their times... then you need to purchase this book.Even if I have not agreed with every point the author has discussed... I have found myself still in agreement with the author as a person of wisdom and insight and genuine love for his readers as well as what he writes. Check out his website - Google his name - and discover for yourself a fresh voice worth reading and supporting.

I was a fan of Brian Godawa's "Chronicles Of The Nephilim" series before I read "Myth Became Fact". I read "Myth Became Fact" several times and use it as a constant reference. The insights in this book have revolutionized the way I study the Bible. While some of the information went against my "fundamentalist bent", I soon realized some of the presuppositions I have been approaching the Bible with. This book has really strengthened my faith and has helped me while sharing what I believe.

This book changes the playing field in a number of issues in Christianity and the arts. It discusses the importance of the use of myth in defining one's faith and in trying to communicate truth in a postmodern age. This is a conversation that is just beginning, and Godawa's contribution provides a real contribution in developing one's thinking.

I read this book just because of its excellent reviews. I thought the author didn't have the "theology pedigree" to write a serious book on Bible interpretation. Boy, was I wrong! Godawa' s arguments are well researched and supported. His book is also very interesting and a quick read. I want more of this!

A good starter for better understanding the world in which the bible was written.