Ooh! Great question! Let's start with the subject matter of each. Mythology is the study of myth(s) (obviously); theology is the study of a specific god. One could the a theologian about Apollo if one believed that Apollo was a real god rather than a character in a myth. The idea of myth is more interesting (to me, anyway). In our common language we sometimes contrast myth and fact, suggesting that the idea we are calling "myth" is false. We also refer to a collection of specific stories (usually involving gods or supernatural events) as "myths" meaning that they come out of some particular religious or cultural tradition, like "Greek myths" or "Mesopotamian myths" or "Jewish myths." When I use "myth" or "mythic" I am referring to a story or tradition that arose from people trying to make sense of something big. So "Noah's Ark" which is one of many Mesopotamian myths involving a deluge is (at minimum) making sense of a flood. But myth in that case could also be something like trickle-down economics.
One more piece: when Benton and I talk theology, part of what we're doing is making sense of who/what a particular god is, but part of what we're doing is trying to grow closer to that same god, whom we have both experienced. As with any relationship, knowing the other better can help your relationship grow. One wouldn't do mythology in order to grow closer to the Minotaur. Does that long-winded explanation help? --Elane O'Rourke
27 views .,. Huh,.? :: So much is misconstrued! :: Commence., with the MISSION,. of progressing upon the message of *Jesus,.. the Messiah,. the CHRIST.,. IE: [ Onset.? } .,. ] .,. ""A pervasive .,. AND .,. evil generation do I - - {JESUS} .,. witness and face! ::: Every sheet - ass - subsequent generation of ''man''!'' .,. WELL.? .,. THE PRIME "THEME"!" .,. BLESS>< !
what is the real difference between mythology and theology? I mean other than its geographical origins.
Ooh! Great question! Let's start with the subject matter of each. Mythology is the study of myth(s) (obviously); theology is the study of a specific god. One could the a theologian about Apollo if one believed that Apollo was a real god rather than a character in a myth. The idea of myth is more interesting (to me, anyway). In our common language we sometimes contrast myth and fact, suggesting that the idea we are calling "myth" is false. We also refer to a collection of specific stories (usually involving gods or supernatural events) as "myths" meaning that they come out of some particular religious or cultural tradition, like "Greek myths" or "Mesopotamian myths" or "Jewish myths." When I use "myth" or "mythic" I am referring to a story or tradition that arose from people trying to make sense of something big. So "Noah's Ark" which is one of many Mesopotamian myths involving a deluge is (at minimum) making sense of a flood. But myth in that case could also be something like trickle-down economics.
One more piece: when Benton and I talk theology, part of what we're doing is making sense of who/what a particular god is, but part of what we're doing is trying to grow closer to that same god, whom we have both experienced. As with any relationship, knowing the other better can help your relationship grow. One wouldn't do mythology in order to grow closer to the Minotaur. Does that long-winded explanation help? --Elane O'Rourke
27 views .,. Huh,.? :: So much is misconstrued! :: Commence., with the MISSION,. of progressing upon the message of *Jesus,.. the Messiah,. the CHRIST.,. IE: [ Onset.? } .,. ] .,. ""A pervasive .,. AND .,. evil generation do I - - {JESUS} .,. witness and face! ::: Every sheet - ass - subsequent generation of ''man''!'' .,. WELL.? .,. THE PRIME "THEME"!" .,. BLESS>< !