As we were getting ready to check out, Misty said to me, “What kind of book are you buying?” Seeing that I don’t usually buy books that contain this sort of morbidity, she was understandably taken aback.
I told her I had a hunch that when Paul addressed the “god of this world,” he was, in many ways, referring to the Greek gods of his day; those mythological deities that had hindered mankind from seeing the Father revealed in Jesus.
You may be asking, “Robby, I still don’t get it. Why would you buy such an odd book?”
Quite honestly, I was interested in contrasting and comparing it with the god that many of us have inherited through tradition. I’ve had a suspicion for quite some time that much of what we believe about God looks more like the imaginary Greek deities of Paul’s day than the One whom Christ has known since the beginning.
And it didn’t take long to notice it.
Within just a few pages, I identified not one, not two, but several descriptions of Greek gods that sounded strikingly similar to the “god” I grew up hearing about, and that many people are still hearing about today.
Looking at the major Olympian gods—like Zeus, Hera, Ares, and Poseidon—several recurring descriptions appear in mythology that parallel certain theological portrayals many people have inherited.
Here are some typical descriptions you’ll find in Greek mythology books that often echo those portrayals:
1. A god whose anger is easily provoked
Greek myths often describe the gods as quick-tempered and easily offended.
Example type of description you’ll often find:
The gods were known for their volatile tempers, and even the smallest act of disrespect from mortals could provoke severe punishment.
The slightest offense—forgetting a sacrifice, speaking arrogantly, or neglecting worship—could bring devastating consequences.
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2. A god who must be appeased
Much of Greek religion revolved around appeasing divine anger.
Typical description:
Mortals regularly offered sacrifices and gifts in hopes of gaining the gods’ favor and avoiding their wrath.
The relationship between gods and humans was largely transactional: offerings in exchange for protection.
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3. A god who punishes entire groups for the mistake of one
In Greek myths, the anger of a god toward one person often spilled over onto entire communities.
For example, the sea god Poseidon might sink ships or destroy cities because one king insulted him.
A common summary description reads something like:
When angered, the gods did not limit their punishment to the offender alone; entire cities and generations could suffer their vengeance.
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4. A god whose honor must be defended
In mythology, offending a god’s honor brought severe consequences.
Typical description:
Those who challenged the authority of the gods were swiftly humbled or destroyed.
This parallels teachings where God is primarily concerned with defending His honor or reputation through judgment.
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5. A god who sends disaster when displeased
Greek mythology frequently attributes disasters to divine displeasure.
Example description:
Storms, plagues, famine, and war were often seen as signs that the gods had been angered.
Natural calamities were interpreted as expressions of divine punishment.
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6. A god who plays favorites
Greek gods regularly favored certain heroes, cities, or families.
For example, Athena might guide one hero while abandoning another.
Typical description:
The gods often intervened in human affairs on behalf of those they favored, granting victory, protection, or prosperity.
Divine favor was selective and unpredictable.
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7. A god whose mood determines human fate
The lives of mortals in Greek myth were often portrayed as being at the mercy of the gods’ changing moods.
A typical summary reads:
The fortunes of men could rise or fall depending on the whims of the gods.
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As I read through these descriptions of the Greek gods, I couldn’t help but notice something unsettling.
Much of what I had grown up hearing about God sounded strikingly similar.
A god who must be appeased.
A god quick to anger.
A god who punishes through disaster.
A god whose favor is unpredictable.
Yet when I look at the life of Jesus Christ, I see something entirely different: a Father who heals instead of destroys, forgives instead of retaliates, and gives himself rather than demanding appeasement.
