Fact or Fiction: The Foundation of Faith

This semester, I'm taking an advanced philosophy course that focuses on Frederich Nietzsche and Georges Bataille. I just finished reading Nietzsche's Birth of Tragedy last night. At the point of writing this, Nietzsche had not yet begun his head-on critique of Christianity. However, his comments on Dionysus and Apollo do lend themselves to transference to thoughts on Christianity. For example, in Section 10, Nietzsche writes the following:

. . . It is the fate of every myth to creep by degrees into the narrow limits of some alleged historical reality, and to be treated by some later generation as a unique fact with historical claims . . . For this is the way in which religions are wont to die out: under the stern, intelligent eyes of an orthodox dogmatism, the mythical premises of a religion are systematized as a sum total of historical events; one begins apprehensively to defend the credibility of the myths, while at the same time one opposes any continuation of their natural vitality and growth; the feeling for myth perishes, and its place is taken by the claim of religion to historical foundations. . . .

This reminds me of how vehemently mainstream Christians rail against any who dare suggest that Jesus may not have been an actual person. They hold this idea that, in order for their faith to mean anything, it has to be based on historically verifiable facts. For them, Jesus had to exist in history; he had to have lived, breathed, died, and resurrected in time. If not, then the whole movement is worth less than dirt.

To these individuals I say: Who Cares???

It does not matter, in fact (I dare say) it is preferable, to hold to the title of myth. Myth and faith are intertwined in a way that fact and faith are not. Indeed, faith is this sense of steadfastness, the sense that no matter what, the object of faith will remain the same. Facts chance at a whim, new evidence is found, old theories are blasted to smithereens. Facts should never be the foundation of faith.

Take Arthurian legend, for instance. Does it matter whether King Arthur was real? If he was, does it matter if he were a king? Does it matter if Merlin was really a powerful sorcerer, or a Druid?
Does any of this detract from the legends' power to enchant, instruct, and entertain? No. The legends exist in a realm beyond time, a realm that facts and investigations cannot touch.

The same goes for Jesus. Archaeologists may discover the body tomorrow; geneticists may trace a bloodline. Any such thing could happen at any moment. This does not mean it will make Jesus' message any less moving. Sure, it will alter how we see him in history, but the stories, teachings, and miracles exist in the realm of myth. These exist beyond the reach of fact.

What needs to be understood is that facts appeal to the head, the brain; myths are what appeals to the heart and soul. Facts serve merely to inform where once we were ignorant. Myths, however stir us towards transformation.