Genesis Creation Story

[Hirsap]

Hello,

I do realise, that certain aspects of the Creation (the second I am referring to here), story are certainly true: immediate creation of the soul, all of man descending from two people, our first parents initially being endowed with sanctifying grace but lost it due to sin.

As such, whilst certain particularities may not be literally true (but still Divinely inspired, mind you), the story itself, can it be properly be referred to as a "myth"?

Thanks.

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
8/8 - St. Dominic (St. John Vianney)

Hirsap,

I would hesitate calling it a myth, because by their natures myths are patently false, and their only real value is literary. The story of the birth of Zeus has no real consequence for anyone, and thus can just be left aside in the realm of real living.

I think, though, that you could legitimately call them "legends," but in the classical sense. A legend is something that could be true or false, but it always has intrinsic teaching value. The stories of the lives of the saints are often called "legends," and it's not because they're made up. The lives of the saints teach us about good, Christian living, and it's very possible that what the author says happened really did happen.

I don't know if this makes things clear or muddies the water, but I hope it helps. Peace.

Yours,
Pio Nono