How do we know Christianity isn’t just one of many myths?

How Do We Know Christianity Isn’t Just One of Many Myths?

1. Definition and Scope

Christianity has been called many things throughout history: a religion, a way of life, a relationship with God, and sometimes a myth. When referring to “myth,” one often means a story that is loosely connected to reality and shaped primarily by cultural legend. The distinctive claim of Christianity, however, is that God is real, historically revealed Himself, and acted in concrete human affairs.

The following sections explore why Christianity stands apart from mere human-made legends—drawing from scriptural testimony in the Berean Standard Bible, historical sources, archaeological findings, and philosophical reasoning. Each piece helps form a coherent picture that points beyond myth to reality.

2. Historical Foundations and Authentic Dates

Christianity unfolds in specific historical settings—anchored in events such as the Exodus, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the Babylonian exile, and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Documents within Scripture consistently reference people and places recognizable to ancient (and modern) historians.

• Old Testament Chronology: The genealogies in Genesis and Chronicles, supported by the consistent timeline often attributed to Archbishop James Ussher, place humanity’s beginnings at a distinct moment in time (Genesis 5; 1 Chronicles 1). While many disagree with precise dating, the cohesive narrative reflects an intentional, traceable historical timeline.

• New Testament Chronology: The Gospel accounts situate Jesus in the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1: “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar…”). Secular sources, such as Roman historian Tacitus (Annals 15.44) and Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3), confirm that Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate. A myth would not typically include the level of detail and corroboration that these historical documents provide.

3. Manuscript Consistency and Reliability

The Bible’s textual transmission stands among the most well-documented in ancient literature.

• Old Testament Evidence: The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century at Qumran, contain copies of Old Testament books dating as far back as the third century BC. Scholars have noted that these match later Masoretic Texts in remarkable detail, reinforcing that the words we have today are extraordinarily consistent with those written centuries before Christ.

• New Testament Manuscripts: With more than 5,800 Greek manuscripts, 10,000 Latin manuscripts, and thousands of additional ancient translations, the New Testament is the best-attested document from the ancient world. Even skeptical scholars concede that the core message—particularly the crucifixion and the resurrection claims—remains historically anchored.

4. Archaeological Corroboration

Far from existing in a cultural vacuum, the events in Scripture frequently align with archaeology.

• Tel Dan Stele: Discovered in northern Israel, this ninth-century BC inscription references the “House of David,” attesting to King David’s dynasty (2 Samuel references him extensively).

• Hezekiah’s Tunnel: In 2 Kings 20:20 (BSB: “As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah… they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah”), we find mention of a water tunnel built to protect Jerusalem’s water supply, which archaeologists have uncovered and studied.

• Accounts of Luke: Luke’s Gospel and Acts have been praised for their accurate use of titles, local customs, and geography. For instance, Acts 17:6 refers to the local term “politarchs” for Thessalonian officials—once doubted until inscriptions were found confirming the existence of that exact title.

Archaeological evidence alone does not force faith, but it adds weight to the notion that Scripture details real points in the historical record, which is uncharacteristic of mere myth.

5. The Central Claim: The Resurrection of Christ

According to the apostolic writings, the ultimate event anchoring Christianity is the literal resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3–4: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins…that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day…”).

• Eyewitness Testimony: The New Testament authors (e.g., Matthew, John, Paul) speak as direct witnesses or close associates of witnesses. Several (like Peter and Paul) endured persecution and martyrdom, holding fast to their testimony of Jesus’s resurrection. Myths rarely produce such well-documented, consistent testimony across multiple attested writings.

• Empty Tomb and Appearance Narratives: The Gospels unanimously declare that Jesus’s tomb was found empty. Opponents of Christianity at the time, including the Jewish leadership (Matthew 28:11–15), never produced a corpse to disprove the resurrection. They claimed the disciples stole the body—a concession that the body was missing. Moreover, Paul lists over five hundred witnesses to the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:6)—a risky fabrication if false, given that most of these witnesses could still be questioned.

• Transformation of Key Figures: The New Testament records people like James, the half-brother of Jesus, and Saul of Tarsus (Paul), who were skeptical or hostile before encountering the resurrected Christ (Acts 9:1–9). Following their experiences, both became foundational leaders in the early church. Such radical transformation among former opponents is rare in mythical constructs.

6. Philosophical Consistency and the Nature of God

Christianity posits that a personal, all-powerful God created the universe intentionally and left traces of His design in nature (Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities…have been clearly seen…”).

• Moral and Personal Dimensions: Myths often treat deities as reflections of human failings. Scripture, by contrast, presents God as utterly holy, righteous, and morally consistent, calling humanity into covenant relationship (Leviticus 19:2; Hebrews 12:14). The philosophical depth of a God who is both just and loving stands apart from the capricious deities typical of ancient legends.

• Rational Basis of Faith: Christianity invites a reasoned response. First Peter 3:15 (BSB: “Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope…”), highlights that believers are encouraged to present logical and evidential reasons, which is unusual for a system initially dismissed as a myth.

7. Living Continuity and Transformative Power

Another dimension pointing beyond myth is the documented impact on individuals and communities throughout history and in modern times.

• Spread of Christianity: Within a few centuries, Christianity grew from a small group of disciples to a movement spanning the Roman Empire, eventually transforming Western civilization’s ethics, arts, sciences, and social structures. Myths rarely effect such global transformations based on alleged, verifiable historical events.

• Present-Day Miracles and Healings: While accounts vary, there are contemporary testimonies of miraculous interventions, consistent with biblical narratives of God’s power (James 5:14–15). Anecdotal cases of otherwise unexplainable healings add an experiential dimension, pointing to a God who continues to act.

• Changed Lives: Across every culture, from the first century to the present, believers attest to personal changes, such as freedom from addictions, reconciliation in relationships, or transformative spiritual experiences. This consistent thread of inward renewal aligns with Scriptures like 2 Corinthians 5:17 (BSB: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…”). Legends seldom produce ongoing, measurable life transformation at such scale.

8. Archaeological, Scientific, and Documentary Support for a Young Earth Design

While interpretations differ, certain findings are cited to support a younger earth model consistent with a literal reading of Genesis:

• Overlapping historical accounts: Genealogical records in Genesis 5 and 11 outline generation-by-generation lifespans. Critics contend over the details, but they remain strikingly tied to real events and persons.

• Fossil Evidence and Geological Anomalies: Some researchers point to rock layer formations, rapid fossilization events, and phenomena like polystrate fossils. Such observations can be interpreted to support large-scale catastrophic events (e.g., the Flood) rather than purely uniform processes, which would point to great antiquity without catastrophic interruptions (Genesis 6–9).

Support for intelligent design includes the fine-tuning of the universe and the extraordinary complexity of biological systems. Even skeptics note that many features of molecular biology resemble “engineered” mechanisms rather than random byproducts. Thus, the biblical concept of a purposeful Creator resonates with growing scientific insights.

9. Conclusion

Christianity diverges from myth in its insistence on a real Creator God, tangible historical settings, reliable manuscript evidence, and a factual resurrection upon which salvation hinges. Far from arising merely within the realm of symbolic legend, the faith has demonstrated historical, philosophical, and evidential credentials—confirmed by outside documents, archaeological discoveries, and the life-transforming power of the risen Christ.

For anyone seeking to weigh the claims, the scriptural witness, corroborated by manifold lines of historical and experiential data, guides us to conclude that Christianity is not just another ancient story. Instead, it stands as a living testimony that God entered time and history, offering a steadfast hope to humanity.