In this episode, we interview Dr. John Oswalt about his book The Bible Among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature?  In this episode, Dr. Oswalt helps us understand the contours and content of mythical thinking, and then contrasts that with the worldview of the Old Testament. What is myth – and what are its central assumptions and features? What is the Bible – and what is its central assumption and features? We land on many issues that have been framed by confusing the two, including - Monotheism v. Polytheism, Creation vs. Organization, whether God had/has a wife (or wives), the purpose of ritual, the spirit of law, the possibility of meaningful history, and the Virgin Birth. The implications for understanding Mormonism should be readily apparent to the interested listener. 

Some books by Dr. Oswalt: 

The Bible Among the Myths: Unique Revelation of Just Ancient Literature? 

The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1-39; The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66 (NICOT) 

The Holy One of Israel: Studies in the Book of Isaiah 

Lecture: “Why Does Creation Ex Nihilo Matter?” (and here)