Historical Reality Versus Mythical Fantasies

Unlike myths, the gospel is based on historical facts. It is not “Jesus and the Seven Dwarves.” Its events are attested, chronicled, archived, preserved. They are not fiction, and neither are they a parable that uses fiction to convey moral lessons or wishful thinking. The gospel is not real because it’s intellectually satisfying or because it provides emotional consolation. It is not real because it’s a cherished family tradition. It is not real because it describes a way of love and mercy.

The gospel is not real because of anything we value in it or just because we want it to be.

Apart from any movements of our hearts, hands, or minds, the gospel stands on its own. It is really real. Its events truly occurred in our world.

The early Church understood this powerful reality. They staked everything on it. The early followers of the Lord Jesus had no time for myths, exaggerations, or mere comforting thoughts. They were focused on the Lord Jesus and his real mysteries.

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ(1 John 1–3).

That body of believers took to heart Paul’s admonition:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully(2 Tim. 4:1–5).

The early Church was thus consumed with a drive to share this real gospel with all humanity. The early disciples called out error, denounced mythical interpretations of the gospel, repudiated false teachers, abjured fables and fallacies presenting themselves as gospel; and they did this doctrinally charitable work with unquestioned sternness and boldness. Without apology, the early disciples rejected any effort to adulterate the truth of the gospel. They held—and persevered in—an absolute surety and confidence in its realness.

Have I ever fallen into the temptation to think that the gospel is just a bunch of fairy tales? Do I realize the historical and real nature of all that God has done among us? Do I allow the historical reality of the gospel to convict me in my discipleship and compel me to prepare for judgment and eternity?

Did you enjoy this excerpt from Fr. Kirby's book Real Discipleship? Order your copy today!