Hero's Journey of the Bible

I just can't help myself!  I love this story the best!  Can I use an exclamation mark on everything? I am an English teacher, and I get to evaluate a lot of literature.  I don't shirk away from a story because it isn't explicitly Christian.  Instead I compare everything to the greatest story ever written: The Bible.

An important plot line is known as the Hero’s Journey which was given recognition and made popular by Joseph Campbell in recent years (www.thewritersjourney.com/hero’s _journey.htm).  However, the basic plot line has been around since the beginning of time.  This basic plot line is demonstrated in the major plot and multiple subplots throughout the Bible.  Recognition of this major plot through the Bible is a valuable foundational tool of truth and of a standard by which all other stories may be measured and understood. 

            The Hero’s Journey is described by different people in various forms, but similar elements are present in each.  The hero begins in his home when he encounters a problem that he must solve.  Although the hero may not initially want to go, the hero will choose to cross over into a new world in order to accomplish a mission.  On the journey to complete this mission, the hero and his allies will encounter trials and challenges caused by enemies.  One challenge will be deep enough to relate the hero’s darkest fears.  After overcoming this monumental challenge, the hero will learn or gain something valuable and accomplish his task.  Finally, the hero will return home. 

            The biblical version of this journey is first and best seen in the story of Jesus Christ.  Jesus begins His journey in the Ordinary World with the Father in Heaven.  John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  His Call to Adventure is found in the beginning also – the beginning of humanity.  Genesis 1:31 tells that God “saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good.”  Unfortunately, Genesis 3 also tells us that Adam and Eve sinned against God for the very first time.  Sadly, all people sin as made clear in Romans.  Romans 3:23 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Additionally, Romans 6:23 agrees that, “the wages of sin is death.”  The sin separated Man from God.  This injustice is the very thing that sends Jesus on his journey to Earth in order to rectify the relationship between God and Man. 

            The next step in the journey for most human stories is a possible Refusal of the Call.  The Bible never tells us that Christ did not want to come.  However, there is a moment later in the story where Christ expresses His understanding of the difficulty of the task and his desire to find another way.  Matthew 26:39 says, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” 

            The next step in most outlines of the Hero’s Journey is Crossing the Threshold or accepting the mission which will take the hero to a new and different world.  Jesus was born as a human into this world.  Luke 2:7 says, “She gave birth to her first born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  John 1:14 also says, “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 

            As Jesus begins His ministry, He gathers allies or Apostles and disciples around him.  John the Baptist came before Jesus making the announcement of His arrival.  Most importantly, Jesus continued to spend time with the Father.  Matthew 14:23 indicates that by saying, “after He had sent the multitudes away, He went up to the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.” 

            Every hero encounters enemies along his journey as well.  Jesus certainly came across them as well.  Matthew 13:53 indicates, “His hometown questioned Him.”  Also verse 58 continues by saying, “He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”  Matthew Chapter 4 explains the biggest enemy which Jesus refers to as Satan in verse 10.  Satan tempts Jesus three times in the wilderness to give up Himself and His mission on earth.  According to Matthew 11, Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah 35 to give sight to the blind, Isaiah 61 to preach the gospel to the poor, and Matthew 26:26 – 28 to be the sacrifice that would be our forgiveness for sins.  Satan was trying to stop Jesus from accomplishing the mission of the journey. 

            The most difficult part of the journey is labeled as the Ordeal or the Abyss.  Jesus faces moments without His heavenly Father in Matthew 27:46 when he says, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”  Also in verse 50 Jesus gave up his spirit and died. 

            Fortunately, there are rewards for surviving such a crushing experience as well as his entire time on earth.  John 4:39 says, “Many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman.”  Luke 24:47 tells that repentance and forgiveness will be proclaimed to everyone.  Acts 2:41 says, “Those who heard had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls,” as a result of the preaching at Pentecost. 

            Following the rewards of the journey is the Return to the Ordinary World.  Christ returned to God.  Acts 1:9 says, “after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”  Interestingly, Christ will also return to earth one day according to Matthew 24 and Revelation 1. 

            Some outlines of the Hero’s Journey say that the hero will be purified by a sacrifice and he will return with the elixir of life (Campbell).  In the Biblical journey, Christ is both the sacrifice and the elixir of life at the same time.  He came to pay the ultimate price for humanity’s sins and also provides the way of salvation. 

            This prime example of a plot resolving a conflict and a hero accomplishing a mission for redemption is the story by which every other story should be measured.  This example is truth.  All other examples are penultimate. 

            Understanding of the prime example is paramount so that readers may discern what truth is obtainable or omitted from other sources of literature.  There are hundreds, possibly thousands conservatively, of stories that mimic elements of the natural plot line and the Hero’s Journey.  Readers need to be familiar with these elements in literature and how they are first demonstrated in the Bible before moving on to other classic and contemporary literature as well as pagan mythologies from other cultures that hide partial truths or reflections of truth.  

Now take this knowledge and find a good book.  A good book draws you in.  A good book tells a story that is relevant in multiple settings and to different generations.  Sometimes the story is retold in a different setting like Romeo and Juliet compared to Twilight.  Compare the truth that you know to what the books represent.  Books are a reflection of the culture and times in which they are written.  What can we learn from books?  What truth is there?  What truth might be missing that we can find in Jesus Christ?