March 22, 2022

Why believe the message of Christianity? Primarily, because it is true. Here’s a conversation between Lewis and Tolkien about Myth and Truth.

“Well then, Christianity”, he said, “is exactly the same thing – with the enormous difference that the poet who invented it [the story of Christ] was God Himself, and the images He used were real men and actual history.”

“Do you mean,” asked Lewis, “that the death and resurrection of Christ is the old ‘dying god’ story all over again?” “Yes,” Tolkien answered, “except that here is a real Dying God, with a precise location in history and definite historical consequences. The old myth has become a fact. But it still retains the character of a myth.”

Here’s Jesus, famously: “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32)

“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Fourth Sunday in Lent – BCP)