An Introduction to the New Testament and the Origins of Christianity

The letters of Colossians and Ephesians show striking similarities in content and wording. Though both claim to be written from prison by Paul, scholars debate whether Paul wrote both, one or the other, or neither.

MYTH AND RITUAL IN COLOSSIANS

Before we discuss the authorship of Colossians, it will help to examine its main religious ideas. To analyze these, we will use two categories from the comparative study of religion: myth and ritual. “Myth,” as scholars of religion use the term, refers to a story that has special significance for a religion or culture. Often the story relates the actions of supernatural beings or heroes. Myths of origin tell how things got to be the way they are. For example, numerous cultures have creation myths, which tell how the world began. Other myths of origin include myths concerning the origin of death and myths of alienation, which tell how humans became alienated from their creator. Some religions also have redeemer myths, which tell how a divine being or hero rescued the world in some way. We also find eschatological myths, which relate the end or culmination of history. Related to myths are rituals, sacred actions or ceremonies, which enable the practitioner to participate in the events of the myth.

Using these categories to analyze Colossians, we find that the author knew a creation myth, an alienation myth, a redeemer myth, and an eschatological myth. He also knew a ritual, baptism, which allowed his readers to participate in the mythic drama of redemption.