Joe Paterno, and the Myth of the Crucified Guru.

As I write this Joe Paterno has just passed away.

I'm here neither to praise nor to condemn the late, great Joe-Pa, Joe Paterno, the man who gave advanced "S'michah" to linebackers

Rather I wish to share a viewpoint I heard with regard to the New Testament as a literary piece - in other words treated as Tragic Myth.This psychological insight is amazing and has been oft-repeated throughout history.

First people deify the "Guru" - only to subsequently crucify him. Thus the story of the Gospels, the deified guru is eventually crucified, and the popular Bar Abbas, for example, is pardoned instead of J of Nazareth

Similarly, the 61-year-long guru of Penn State football dies "crucified" by the media.

The "fad" starts first by first glorifying, then deifying , only to lead to the discovery of the idol's clay feet, ultimately ending tragically in some form of crucifixion.

How many times have we seen this theme repeated?

Perhaps Lincoln and JFK qualify? Or how about Marilyn Monroe? Howard Cosell? The Kardashians? Moses - as in Robert Moses? :-)

Despite its "Christilogical" origins, this Parable happens to Jews, too. And it would be wise to take note of its recurring implications

Shalom,
RRW