Much of the Bible is a narrative of Israel's history (e.g., Old Testament history books; Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3). Many biblical events and places have been confirmed through archaeological findings. Unlike pagan mythology, the Bible describes real, historical events that can be verified through historical sources.
Further, the Bible's supernatural nature is shown through its accurate fulfillment of prophecy, especially in the life of Jesus (Isaiah 53). You can know the Bible is not pagan mythology by reading it with an open mind and comparing it with other works. The Bible has transformed lives for 2,000 years.
While the Bible is not pagan mythology, it contains elements of myth. The dictionary defines myth as a traditional story of presumably historical events that helps explain a belief or natural phenomenon. Mythology then is the branch of knowledge about myths. Unfortunately, in popular usage today, myth often means something derogatory or unfounded. Nevertheless, the term "Christian mythology" does not imply that the stories are fictional; it refers to their narrative structure and history.
C.S. Lewis, a British writer and literary scholar, did not view the Bible as mythology in the sense of being false or purely fictional, but rather as a collection of various literary genres, including mythology, that convey profound spiritual truths. Lewis, who authored "The Chronicles of Narnia," defined myth as, "at its best, a real though unfocused gleam of divine truth falling on human imagination.” Lewis had observed similarities between Christian and pagan mythology. Since pagan myths were assumed to be false, he wondered why Christianity should be treated differently. Through his studies and discussions Lewis came to understand that Jesus was indeed the "myth become fact."
In his book "God in the Dock," Lewis says that the heart of Christianity is a myth which is also a fact. The old myth of the dying god, without ceasing to be myth, comes down from the heaven of legend and imagination to the earth of history. It happens—at a particular date, in a particular place, followed by definable historical consequences. Whereas pagan myths are vague, Christianity has verifiable facts: a historical person (Jesus of Nazareth) is crucified under Pontius Pilate and rises from the dead. By becoming fact, it does not cease to be myth: that is the miracle. It is the marriage of heaven and earth: Perfect Myth and Perfect Fact: claiming not only our love and our obedience, but also our wonder and delight.
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