Being wise Quote by C. S. Lewis
“The Old Testament contains fabulous elements. The New Testament consists mostly of teaching, not of narrative at all: but where it is narrative, it is, in my opinion, historical. As to the fabulous element in the Old Testament, I very much doubt if you would be wise to chuck it out.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis, 1942
Lewis argues that the Old Testament mixes mythic storytelling with history, while the New Testament focuses on teaching, though it contains some narrative that he sees as historical.
In simple terms: Old Testament mixes myth and history; New Testament is mostly teaching.
Key Takeaway
Respect the mythic elements while focusing on the teachings.
Themes
theology
literature
history
interpretation
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
analytical
interpretive
When to use this quote
- Bible study
- sermon preparation
- academic research
- personal faith reflection
Key Concepts
mythology
historicity
didacticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance mythic language with factual history?
- What value do the teaching elements hold for modern readers?
A Different Perspective
The claim that New Testament narrative is historical is debated among scholars.
