Joseph Campbell

Alot of my favorite teens are reading Joseph Campbell's, The Power of Myth right now. These are usually the super-smarty ones who are taking AP English. Teachers like to start with Campbell in this class and I can see why. He really makes you want to know stuff and learn and see what you can find out by exploring other cultures and beliefs and reading and reading which is what they are gonna have to do alot of if they want to pass the AP test:)

But these friends of mine are Christians and want to know how Campbell fits in to their lives.
Colossians 2
2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
2:9
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
2:10
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Gabriel and I just read this and we talked about how 'captive' is like being a prisoner in the hold of a pirate ship. I used this verse when I was talking to one of my friends the other night about J. Campbell. But I should have kept going... if you keep going you'll see Paul's talking about legalism, ie. doing stuff, keeping laws and rules in order to be saved and right with God. He's not talking about stories but I'll just say, read the stories and ideas Campbell presents, just don't be captive to them.

Gabe said that he thinks it means like thinking the Big Band theory means that there is no God...that would be 'deceit' says Gabe. I love Gabe. He's so cool. Last night he called the passage about Jesus calling the gentile woman a dog, "Bewildering!" But that's for another blog.

Okay, so enjoy Campbell, even get some 'Peace Child' 's from him. (That's another book you smarties really should read:)

Here's a few treasures I've found in his work that could maybe help you in your dicussion groups. Remember if someone offers you a gift, the answer you want is, 'Thank you!' I forgot this.

pg. 6 and on..about marriage, Oh Yeah! He really gets it, you unmarried friendlings of mine! Marriage is a Oneness with another it's all encompassing and it's a beautiful picture (metaphor) of our relationship with Christ. Jesus is the bridgegroom and we are the bride.
'when you make the sacrifice in marriage, you're not sacrificing to each other but to unity in a relationship....You are no longer this one alone; your identity is in a relationship.'

It's not about rules, things you can't do. It's about unity and oneness with the spouse or the Spouse. We love God, we want Him more and more of Him in our lives, and our actions and thoughts follow that desire for relationship with Him and Oneness.


I'm gonna add to this later, my AP English darlings. So keep checking in:) Hope it helps a little.