A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.
C. S. LewisRead
Now the story of Christ is simply a true myth: a myth working on us the same way as the others, but with this tremendous difference that it really happened: and one must be content to accept it in the same way, remembering that it is God’s myth where the others are men’s myths: i.e., the Pagan stories are God expressing Himself through the minds of poets, using such images as He found there, while Christianity is God expressing Himself through what we call 'real things'.
Interpretation
What this quote means
C. S. Lewis presents the story of Christ as a unique myth that embodies divine truth, differentiating it from other myths which are human creations.
In this quote, C. S. Lewis explores the nature of myths and their relationship to truth, suggesting that while many myths are expressions of human experiences and imaginations, the story of Christ transcends these by being a true event that reflects God's nature. He argues that both religious and secular myths serve as vehicles for deeper truths, but Christianity stands apart as it represents God's direct engagement with reality, making it a 'true myth' that conveys significant meaning beyond mere storytelling.
Themes
ChristMythTruthGodFaithStory
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon, to illustrate the relevance of Christ's story in modern life.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes →I enjoyed my breakfast this morning, and I think that was a good thing and do not think it was condemned by God. But I do not think myself a good man for enjoying it.
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Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
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I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
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Personally, I don't give a rap for documents; for the truth in my eyes is not in them but in the mind.
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And I, the former mystic, was thinking: Yes, man is stronger, greater than God. When Adam and Eve deceived You, You chased them from paradise. When You were displeased by Noah’s generation, You brought down the Flood. When Sodom lost Your favour, You caused the heavens to rain down fire and damnation. But look at these men whom You have betrayed, allowing them to be tortured, slaughtered, gassed, and burned, what do they do? They pray before You! They praise Your name!
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