demythologized

Demythologized is an adjective describing something that has been freed from mythological elements or conventions, especially those regarded as mythic in religious or cosmological contexts. The term is used in theology, literary analysis, and cultural studies to indicate that mythic language or claims have been removed or reinterpreted.

In theology, demythologization is most closely associated with the work of Rudolf Bultmann, who argued that the New Testament contains mythic motifs—such as miracles, demons, and cosmic beings—that should be interpreted symbolically rather than taken as literal events. A demythologized reading aims to uncover the existential or theological message—the kerygma—without requiring belief in supernatural occurrences as factual history. The approach seeks to make ancient texts intelligible and relevant to contemporary existence, ethics, and faith commitments.

Outside theology, the term can describe analyses that strip mythical claims from legends, national myths, or literary fantasies, treating them as social or cultural constructs rather than literal truths. The usage often carries a normative dimension about how myths function within a culture or tradition, though it can also denote a methodological stance.

Critics of demythologization argue that it can erase elements they see as essential to religious experience or to the integrity of the myth itself, potentially privileging modern rationalism over traditional belief. Proponents contend that demythologized interpretations preserve the core message while rendering it accessible to modern minds.

Related terms include demythologization (the process) and demystification (the broader removal of mystery or illusion). The concept remains a point of debate in discussions of religious language, interpretation, and the relationship between myth and meaning.