I just finished watching a six-video series of one-on-one interviews with Joseph Campbell about the Power of Myth. I got it because I've really enjoyed Chris Vogler's CDs, "Using Myth to Power Your Story." Vogler adapted many of his theories on storytelling and writing from Campbell's work. I've even quoted Campbell myself when I talk about following your bliss and finding your purpose. I didn't know anything about Campbell, but since I'm interested in both writing and following your bliss, I figured it was time I learned more about this man and his philosophies.

After six videos, I expected something more from a man so intelligent. Maybe he was so intelligent he couldn't see plain and precious truths right in front of his face. Then again, there are many who agree with Campbell and his views about God and Jesus Christ. I wouldn't care so much if it were just Joseph Campbell's views, but the man has had such an influence on art, movies, writing, philosophy, religion and education that I'm seeing his theories continually pop up, and Christians are falling for them as well. His philosophy really is the religion of the dawning century. You see it heavily in Neale Donald Walcsh's Conversations with God (which I found so disturbing I tossed it in the trash after reading half of it).

The Force

Aren't familiar with these two men or their work? Let me recap Joseph Campbell's theories in a nutshell. Because he'd studied so many religions -- Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhist, Native American, etc. -- he came to the conclusion that there is no personal God. Campbell believed in a God-force (yes, Campbell had a great impact on his friend George Lucas who wrote Star Wars). This force or energy permeates and penetrates all people, animals, plants, rocks, the earth, everything (note the Hindu and Native American influence). This is God -- God is energy according to Campbell. Because this energy flows through everything and everyone, then we are all God. You're God. I'm God. I use a capital G here for a reason because Campbell quite literally believed that this energy is God and that you are God because you contain some of the energy.

I, too, believe in an energy that fills the universe and all plants, animals, rocks, trees and mankind, but the energy is NOT God. It is intelligent matter and energy which obeys God. For me, God is a literal personal being (my Father whom I know and love). I also believe that we are gods (note the lower case g) because Psalms 82:6 plainly says, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." Jesus quoted this passage in John 10:34: "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"

As the Bible says, we are eternal beings and we are spirit children of the most High. When we die, "the dust [shall] return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Yet, being a child of God does not make me God the Father or the Son.

What Think Ye of Christ?

So what of Campbell's view of Christ? Asked point blank in the sixth video, Campbell answered that Jesus was a manifestation of the Christ. He was someone who embodied more of this deity energy than other people. In other video segments he puts Christ on the same level of Buddha or Mohammad. They also were able to "figure out" that they had god-energy in them and personified this god-energy. Neale Donald Walcsh in his Conversations with God does something similar. With one hand Campbell and Walcsh give you Christ (follow Him if you want, and you will find one of the ways) and with the other hand they take Him away. He's just a man who figured it out, but other people have figured it out, and perhaps you could too. He's not THE way; he's just a way.

Then what of Jesus' statement in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me"? If Campbell's theory is true, Jesus Christ would have to be either delusional or a liar. And if he is a delusional liar then why should we pay attention to anything he said?

It's been my observation that people who refuse to see Jesus Christ as the one and only way do so because they can't reconcile a God of love with a God who would send billions of people to hell because they lived in China or India and never had the opportunity to be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ or to be baptized. Because this is so disturbing and unfair to them, they throw away Christ's statement (and most of His other teachings) and assume that there are other ways back to the Father . . . everyone following his or her own path.

What about those who never learned of Him or had a chance to be baptized? There is a way for them, and Christ is still that way. They will not be banished to hell. An inspired reading of 1 Peter 3 and 4 will show you that Jesus Christ accommodated for those who died without knowledge of Him. He's provided a way for them to be taught beyond this life.

Yet because of this seeming injustice and lack of understanding, Campbell's theories are everywhere - this chaotic, impersonal God where anything goes and if anything feels good, do it. Both Campbell and Walcsh would agree that there is no Satan. Satan or the devil is simply man's personification of an energy force. The two opposing forces of good and evil are like polarities on a magnet. There isn't one person who is the ultimate good and there isn't one person who advocates everything bad. It's all in man's imagination. The ideal according to Campbell is to be somewhere in the middle in this place where you "just are" and there are no opposing forces.

The Savior Motif

It's interesting to note that the need for an Atonement is also reasoned away when you reason away Christ and Satan. Yet, even Campbell would admit that every major civilization that has populated this earth has a theme of "sacrifice" running throughout it. Over and over there appear stories and myths about one person who sacrifices himself that life may come. From the Native Americans to remote Far Eastern cultures, the savior theme continually repeats itself.

How does Campbell explain this? He says it's either diffusion -- that people carried the message from one civilization to another -- or somewhere buried in the human psyche is this savior principle. Somehow we all just think alike because we're all humans and made out of the same energy.

Why not look at the obvious? Go back to the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve transgressed, and when they appeared before God He explained to them that a Savior would be provided for them and instituted animal sacrifice in similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten. Revelations 13:8 clearly states that Jesus Christ is the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." He was chosen before the world was even created as the Savior because God KNEW that mankind would fall. The fact that a savior theme appears in all civilizations is a testament to the fact that Adam and Eve (who walked and talked with God in the Garden) knew a Savior would be provided for them so that they could re-enter God's presence.

It also testifies that they taught this principle to their children! It has just been distorted through time. Think of the Pharisees and Sadducees of Christ's day. They had completely forgotten that the animal sacrifices they offered symbolized and pointed toward Christ's coming and His ultimate sacrifice.

All of this comes down to one important question: Is there need for an Atonement? Because you are human and incapable of obeying divine and natural law 100 percent of the time, will you face consequences? If you walk off a skyscraper you will plunge to your death. That's pretty conclusive evidence that there are consequences for violating immutable laws. The solution is to know how to put other laws to work for you that

Marnie Pehrson, a mother of 6, has been highlighting truth and talent for 15 years. Whether it's writing a novel that spotlights individuals who've made a difference in the world or helping a talented entrepreneur create a platform for his life's work, Marnie underscores truth and talent in innovative and compelling ways. She is the creator of www.IdeaMarketers.com and helps experts promote their products and services online. For more information on her various projects and books, visit http://www.pwgroup.com. Contact the author, Marnie Pehrson , at marnie@pwgroup.com
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