Yesterday the term myth was used about the Christian faith. I commented that I have problems with the word myth, and two commentators suggested that it was a true myth: Christianity has the emotional power of myth but it is also historically true.
I am still not sure. The readings today sound historical, not myth.
3For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
For Paul, it was of first importance that the death and resurrection of Jesus was true. For John, it was of first importance that Jesus was the messiah and he doubted.
The doubting was not important. Jesus tolerated the doubting. He gave a gracious answer. Paul did not see the death and resurrection of Jesus as a convenient explanation (such as psychoanalytic theory). He saw it as a fact.
The passion around this came from his experience of the risen Christ. That was Paul’s experience. I pray that it may be ours.