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Myth Conceptions: Joseph Campbell and the New Age
The PBS series "The Power of Myth" first introduced Joseph Campbell as a primary influence on Western culture. Myth Conceptions reveals this New Age thinker, probing what his ideas mean for Christians. Tom Snyder looks at Campbell's influence on films, especially Steven Spielberg's, and his view of "politically correct" truth, morality, and religious experience.
280 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1994
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September 4, 2024
A CHRISTIAN CRITIQUE OF JOSEPH CAMPBELL
At the time this book was published in 1995, Tom Snyder taught philosophy, aesthetics, social science, and film at National University in Southern California. He wrote in the Preface, "It is perfectly reasonable to assume... that even if you have never heard of Joseph Campbell, you have probably met or heard someone supporting one of his popular ideas. Unfortunately, however, most of Campbell's ideas are either irrational or factually false...
"This book was not written only for people who know about Joseph Campbell and his ideas. It was also written for people who want to know some basic truths about religion, philosophy, ethics, science, aesthetics, the origin of mankind, western culture, Christianity, and the Bible. These are topics Campbell discussed... we are engaged in a culture war over these ideas, which have become new sacred cows. Joseph Campbell, despite his death, is still a major figure in this battle. This book is my contribution against the spirit of this age."
He states that [Campbell's] view of myth is much too limited. It contradicts the opinions of other well-respected myth scholars, including anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss, historian Mircea Eliade, and literature professor C.S. Lewis. Campbell's view of myth also restricts the meaning of myth to a subjective, personal, and emotional level. In doing so, it dilutes the timeless, universal quality of myth." (Pg. 20)
Later, he adds, "Unlike Campbell, Eliade doesn't try to make the cosmos into a god of some kind. He only uses words like 'pure,' 'holy,' or 'sacred'; he doesn't try to say that the whole cosmos and everything in it become part of 'a higher, all-suffusing, all informing principle of energy.'" (Pg. 102)
He argues, "many of the people who spout this new pluralistic utopia can be just as dogmatic, irrational, emotional, and intolerant as those they rail against. Joseph Campbell provides a perfect example of this. He frequently attacks the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam." (Pg. 44)
He admits, however, that "Not everything Campbell wrote or said was wrong. For instance, he actually said some profound things about the human condition and about the role of heroes throughout human history... I have found Campbell's structure about the hero ['The Hero with a Thousand Faces'] very helpful in my own interpretation of many stories." (Pg. 52-53)
Fans of Campbell will likely not care for Snyder's book; but it contains some very thoughtful observations and perceptive comments, that persons from many different persuasions can agree with.
At the time this book was published in 1995, Tom Snyder taught philosophy, aesthetics, social science, and film at National University in Southern California. He wrote in the Preface, "It is perfectly reasonable to assume... that even if you have never heard of Joseph Campbell, you have probably met or heard someone supporting one of his popular ideas. Unfortunately, however, most of Campbell's ideas are either irrational or factually false...
"This book was not written only for people who know about Joseph Campbell and his ideas. It was also written for people who want to know some basic truths about religion, philosophy, ethics, science, aesthetics, the origin of mankind, western culture, Christianity, and the Bible. These are topics Campbell discussed... we are engaged in a culture war over these ideas, which have become new sacred cows. Joseph Campbell, despite his death, is still a major figure in this battle. This book is my contribution against the spirit of this age."
He states that [Campbell's] view of myth is much too limited. It contradicts the opinions of other well-respected myth scholars, including anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss, historian Mircea Eliade, and literature professor C.S. Lewis. Campbell's view of myth also restricts the meaning of myth to a subjective, personal, and emotional level. In doing so, it dilutes the timeless, universal quality of myth." (Pg. 20)
Later, he adds, "Unlike Campbell, Eliade doesn't try to make the cosmos into a god of some kind. He only uses words like 'pure,' 'holy,' or 'sacred'; he doesn't try to say that the whole cosmos and everything in it become part of 'a higher, all-suffusing, all informing principle of energy.'" (Pg. 102)
He argues, "many of the people who spout this new pluralistic utopia can be just as dogmatic, irrational, emotional, and intolerant as those they rail against. Joseph Campbell provides a perfect example of this. He frequently attacks the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam." (Pg. 44)
He admits, however, that "Not everything Campbell wrote or said was wrong. For instance, he actually said some profound things about the human condition and about the role of heroes throughout human history... I have found Campbell's structure about the hero ['The Hero with a Thousand Faces'] very helpful in my own interpretation of many stories." (Pg. 52-53)
Fans of Campbell will likely not care for Snyder's book; but it contains some very thoughtful observations and perceptive comments, that persons from many different persuasions can agree with.
Displaying 1 of 1 review