Unveiling the Stages of the Hero’s Journey | A Biblical Perspective

Stories have a remarkable way of capturing our hearts and minds, taking us on thrilling adventures and leaving us forever changed. One such storytelling framework is Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey,” which describes a pattern found in myths and legends from cultures around the world. This narrative structure consists of several key stages that a hero must navigate to achieve their ultimate goal.

Interestingly, the biblical redemptive narrative can be perceived as a universal story structure that mirrors “The Hero’s Journey.” This perspective, enhanced by insights from various texts, including *Bloodline of the Gods* (Joseph, 2005), *The Incomplete Church* (Roth, 2007), and others, allows us to explore the initiation stage and journey steps crucial for the hero’s transformation. Let’s delve into the six-act structure of the biblical narrative and discover how it aligns with the hero’s journey.

Act 1: God Establishes His Kingdom — Creation

In the first act of the biblical narrative, we witness the grand beginning of all things. Here, God establishes His kingdom, creating the heavens, the earth, and everything in them. This act sets the stage for the hero’s journey, presenting an idyllic world where harmony reigns supreme.

The Call to Adventure: The Beginning of All Things

Just as every hero receives a call to adventure, the biblical narrative begins with a divine call. In Genesis (Bereishit), we read how God (Elohim) spoke the universe into existence, crafting the heavens and the earth out of nothing (Genesis 1:1). This act reflects the power of creation described in *Alchemy & Mysticism* (Roob, 2005), revealing how God’s creative force initiates the heroic journey that unfolds throughout the Bible.

Meeting the Mentor: God’s Role as Creator and Guide

As heroes embark on their quests, they often encounter mentors who provide guidance and wisdom. In the biblical narrative, God embodies this role. As the creator of all things, He possesses infinite knowledge and wisdom. His presence throughout the story serves as a guiding force for both individual heroes and humanity as a whole (Psalm 139:1–4).

Crossing the Threshold: Humanity Enters the World

In the hero’s journey, crossing the threshold represents leaving the ordinary world behind and entering into the realm of adventure. For humanity in the biblical narrative, this moment occurs when God breathes life into Adam and Eve, placing them in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:7). This marked the beginning of humanity’s epic journey through creation, rebellion, salvation, redemption, mission, and ultimately, reconciliation.

Act 2: Rebellion in the Kingdom — The Fall

No heroic journey is without its challenges and setbacks. In Act Two of the biblical narrative, we witness the tragic rebellion that tarnishes God’s perfect kingdom. This act highlights the consequences of humanity’s choice to turn away and rebel against the God who created them.

Tests, Allies, Enemies: The Temptation and Its Consequences

As heroes face tests, they encounter allies who aid them on their quest and enemies who seek to hinder their progress. Similarly, Adam and Eve are faced with temptation in the form of the forbidden fruit and succumb to the deceitful words of the serpent (Genesis 3:1–6). This act of rebellion introduces sin and brokenness into the world, forever altering the course of human history.

The *Council of Light* (Hoffman, 2013) emphasizes the role of choice in the journey of the soul, highlighting how the path of rebellion can lead to darkness, while the choice of light aligns us with divine purpose.

The Ordeal: Humanity’s Banishment from Eden

In every hero’s journey, there comes a point where they must confront their greatest fears or endure an intense ordeal. For humanity, this moment arrives when Adam and Eve are banished from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23–24). It is here that they experience the harsh reality of their actions and bear the weight of their disobedience. Yet, even in their darkest hour, hope shines through as God promises a future deliverance and restoration (Genesis 3:15).

Act 3: The King Chooses Israel — Salvation Initiated

In Act Three of the biblical narrative, we witness God’s pursuit of salvation for humanity. Through His chosen people, Israel, He establishes a covenant and initiates a plan that will ultimately lead to redemption.

The Road of Trials: The Exodus and Covenant

Just as heroes must face trials and tribulations, so too does Israel undergo their own set of challenges. The most significant trial comes during the story of Exodus, where God delivers His people from 400 years of slavery through miraculous signs and wonders (Exodus 12:31–42). This act of deliverance parallels the themes found in *Needless Casualties of War* (Jackson & Sanford, 1999), which explore how divine intervention shapes the course of history.

During this time, God establishes a covenant with Israel, setting them apart as His chosen nation (Exodus 19:5–6). This covenant signifies the deepening relationship between God and His people, aligning with the exploration of the Jewish roots of the Christian faith as discussed in *Reading Moses, Seeing Jesus* (Hoffman, 2013).

Approach to the Innermost Cave: Moses Receives the Law on Mount Sinai

As heroes venture further into their journey, they often approach an innermost cave — a place of transformation and revelation. In the case of the biblical narrative, this pivotal moment occurs when Moses ascends Mount Sinai and receives the divine law (Exodus 20:1–17). This encounter solidifies the bride-and-groom relationship between God (El Elyon) and Israel, outlining the guidelines for righteous living and establishing the groundwork for future redemption.

Act 4: The Coming of the King — Redemption and Salvation Accomplished

The hero’s journey often reaches its climax with the ultimate confrontation and triumph. Act Four of the biblical narrative unveils the long-awaited coming of the promised Messiah — Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach) — who accomplishes redemption and brings about salvation for all who believe.

The Supreme Ordeal: Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection

The supreme ordeal in any hero’s journey represents the height of conflict and struggle. In the biblical narrative, this climactic event takes place with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27–28). Through His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, Jesus achieves victory over sin and offers the gift of eternal life to humanity (John 3:16). This act not only fulfills prophecy but also embodies the universal story structure of death and rebirth, highlighting the hero’s journey toward redemption.

As articulated in *Power Moves* (Roberts, 2017), the act of sacrifice and subsequent resurrection serves as a powerful metaphor for personal transformation and the realization of one’s divine purpose.

The Reward: Eternal Life and Salvation for Humanity

Following the supreme ordeal, heroes are often rewarded with treasures or knowledge that benefits both themselves and their communities. In the case of the biblical narrative, the reward for humanity is the offer of eternal life and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9–10). This act of redemption paves the way for a restored relationship between God and His creation, resonating with the principles found in *A Purpose Driven Life* (Warren, 2002).

Act 5: Spreading the News of the King — The Mission of the Church

With redemption accomplished, heroes often embark on a mission to spread their knowledge or share their newfound wisdom. Act Five of the biblical narrative unfolds as the early disciples become ambassadors of the good news, spreading the message of salvation throughout the world.

The Resurrection of the Disciples: Empowered by the Holy Spirit

After Jesus’ resurrection, He appears to His disciples and commissions them to continue His work on earth (Matthew 28:18–20). Just as heroes are empowered with newfound abilities or knowledge, the disciples receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–4), enabling them to proclaim the gospel boldly and perform signs and wonders that confirm the truth of their message.

The *Tour of Heaven* (n.d.) highlights how this empowerment leads to divine revelations that deepen the disciples’ understanding of their mission and the importance of unity in Christ.

Crossing the Return Threshold: Spreading the Good News

Heroes must eventually return to their ordinary lives, armed with their new understanding and experiences. For the early church, this moment arrives when they venture out into the world, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). Their mission transcends geographical boundaries and cultural barriers as they fulfill the Great Commission given to them by Jesus.

This phase mirrors the journey’s steps back to the ordinary world, yet with the capability to transform it through the story template of redemption and grace they carry. As discussed in *The Incomplete Church* (Roth, 2007), this transformation is vital for achieving unity among believers and fulfilling God’s plan for His children.

Act 6: The Return of the King — Reconciliation Completed

In the final act of the biblical narrative, we witness the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan — a time of complete reconciliation and restoration. The return of the king ushers in a new era where all things are made right, and harmony is fully realized.

The Resurrection and Judgment: Restoring Harmony to All Creation

As a hero’s journey approaches its conclusion, there comes a point where they face judgment or reconcile past conflicts. Likewise, the biblical narrative concludes with the resurrection of all believers and the final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). At this moment, God’s justice is fully realized, and harmony is restored to all creation (Romans 8:19–21).

This culmination echoes the universal story structure of completion and closure, highlighting the importance of alignment with divine purpose throughout the journey. As articulated in *Bloodline of the Gods* (Joseph, 2005), the resurrection signifies a triumph over death and a restoration of divine order.

The New Jerusalem: The Ultimate Reward

As the narrative reaches its finale, believers are ushered into the New Jerusalem — a place of eternal communion with God (Revelation 21:1–4). This promise serves as the ultimate reward for the hero’s journey, affirming that all trials and tribulations lead to a greater purpose. The culmination of God’s kingdom on earth reflects the fulfillment of the hero’s journey, embodying the hope and promise of restoration.

In conclusion, the biblical narrative beautifully parallels the stages of “The Hero’s Journey,” illustrating how God’s story unfolds through creation, rebellion, redemption, and reconciliation. This exploration allows us to appreciate the depth and richness of the biblical text while recognizing our role within this timeless narrative. As we embrace our own journeys, may we find inspiration in the stories of the past and strive to align ourselves with God’s redemptive purpose for our lives.

References

- Hoffman, D. R. (2013). *The Council of Light: Divine Transmissions for Manifesting the Deepest Desires of the Soul*. New Page Books.
- Jackson, J. P., & Sanford, J. (1999). *Needless Casualties of War*. Jossey-Bass.
- Joseph, H. B. (2005). *Bloodline of the Gods: Unravel the Mystery of the Human Blood Type to Reveal the Aliens Among Us*. The Book Tree.
- Roberts, S. J. (2017). *Power Moves: Your Guide to Building and Unleashing the Power of Your Purpose*. Tyndale House Publishers.
- Roob, A. (2005). *Alchemy & Mysticism*. Taschen.
- Roth, S. (2007). *The Incomplete Church: Unifying God’s Children*. Destiny Image Publishers.
- Warren, R. (2002). *A Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?*. Purpose Driven Books.

This article presents a comprehensive overview of the hero’s journey as mirrored in the biblical narrative, drawing connections between various stages of storytelling and the divine redemptive plan. If there are any specific aspects you’d like to enhance or refine further, feel free to let me know!