demythologization
Removing legendary elements
Demythologization is the process of stripping away mythical elements to reveal underlying meaning or truth.
The term originated in theology, where it describes reinterpreting biblical narratives as spiritual or existential truths rather than literal supernatural events.
More broadly, demythologization can mean dismantling any idealized or legendary account: The biography is a demythologization of the founding fathers.
Analysis exposing self-contradiction
- ideologyStructured belief framework
- disenchantmentLoss of cherished belief
- secularizationReligion losing social significance
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
nationalism · heroes · folklore · legend · narrative · revisionism · debunking · iconoclasm
Second biblical division
- exegesisCritical textual interpretation
- gospelSacred choral tradition
- scriptureSacred religious writings
- faithTrust without proof
existentialism · resurrection · miracles · supernatural · Christianity · hermeneutics · proclamation · Jesus
Reexamining established doctrine
- scholarshipEducational funding or erudition
- sourcesPoints of origin
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
archaeology · analysis · objectivity · bias · hagiography · legend · chronicle · verification
deconstruction
Analysis exposing self-contradiction
- ideologyStructured belief framework
- disenchantmentLoss of cherished belief
- secularizationReligion losing social significance
critique · nationalism · heroes · folklore · legend · narrative · revisionism · debunking · iconoclasm · sacred
New Testament
Second biblical division
- exegesisCritical textual interpretation
- gospelSacred choral tradition
- scriptureSacred religious writings
faith · existentialism · resurrection · miracles · supernatural · Christianity · hermeneutics · proclamation · Jesus · Paul
revisionism
Reexamining established doctrine
- scholarshipEducational funding or erudition
- sourcesPoints of origin
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
documentation · archaeology · analysis · objectivity · bias · hagiography · legend · chronicle · verification · contextualization
- biblical studieshistorical criticism, scriptural study, biblical narratives, Hebrew Bible, textual analysis
- Modern Theologyliberation theology, neo-orthodoxy, political theology, Barth, Schleiermacher
- myth analysisstructuralism, functionalism, archetype, archetypes, monomyth
- religious criticismbiblical criticism, problem of evil, theodicy, contradictions, hypocrisy
- existentialismexistence, authenticity, existential angst, existential crisis, angst
- Modern ChristianityVatican II, ecumenism, evangelicalism, liberation theology, Billy Graham
demythologizationmythologization
Transforming into legend
myth-making · enchantment · mythification · mythologizing · sacralization
mythical, mythic, mythology, mythological, mythologist, mythologize, mythologized, mythologizing, mythologizes