Description
Book SynopsisHomer was the gateway to education, to the skills of reading and writing. These skills were necessary for the nascent Church. Knowledge of Homer's writings was a sign of Greekness, of at-home-ness in the society. Education was embedded in the mythology, immorality and idolatry of these writings. This challenged the Christians. This study presents how Christians responded to this. The opinions varied from rejection of Homer and all pagan literature, considering them works of the Devil, to critical involvement with this literature. This study attempts to trace the discourse on Homer and education among the Christians back to the New Testament. The topic does not come to the surface, but it is argued that in Paul's letters contrasting attitudes towards the propaideutic logic and the philosophical principle of usus (making right use of) are present. He opposed a logic wherein Christian faith represented the peak of education, the culmination of liberal studies. In his instruction on how
Trade ReviewA fascinating study...very stimulating treatment of Christian attitudes to education which reveals the cultural impact of the new religion on the wider ancient society. * Expository Times, April 2010 *
Reviewed in Revue des Livres (French). * Revue des livres *
The voyage to which Sandness invites his readers is worthwhile and illuminating. * Bijdragen, International Journal in Philosophy and Theology *
Table of ContentsPart One: School, Homer and Encyclical Education in Antiquity 1. Introduction and Method 2. School in the Greco-Roman World 3. The Pivotal Role of Homer 4. Knowledge and Formation: The Insuffiency of Encyclical Education 5. Philo of Alexandria: A Hellenistic Jew on Greek Education Part Two: The Christian Agôn over Encyclical Studies in the first Centuries C.E. 7. Justin Martyr, his student Tatian and Two Ps.Justins 8. The Apostolic Tradition: Prohibited Occupations 9. The Teaching of the Apostles (Didaskalia Apostolorum) and Syriac tradition: "Avoid all the Books of the Gentiles" 10. Tertullian: Learning but not Teaching Encyclical Studies 11. Clement and Origen: Christian Teachers in Alexandria 11.1 Clement of Alexandria: Propaideia Protects Faith 11.2 Origen: The Silver and Gold of the Egyptians 11.3 Origen and Celsos: Christian faith for the Unlearned? 12. Flavius Claudius Julianus - Emperor and Apostate: Christian Teachers are Immoral 13. The Cappadocian Fathers 13.1 Basil of Caesarea/Basil the Great: Ad Adolescentes 13.2 Gregory of Nazianzus' Encomium for Basil 13.3 Gregory of Nyssa's Life of Moses 14. Jerome: An Ascetic Addicted to Greek Learning 15. Augustine: Liberal Studies - A Window on the Relationship between Greek Culture and Christian Faith 16. Summing up part two Common Ground Opposition to Encyclical Studies Encyclical Studies cannot be avoided Advocates of Encyclical Studies Arguments Employed in the Debate The Critics Advocates Acting like Bees All or Nothing? Part Three: Looking Back to the New Testament 17. The New Testament and Encyclical Studies 17.1 Homer in the New Testament? An Appraisal of Dennis R. MacDonald's "Mimesis Criticism" 17.2 Paul on Encyclical Studies? 18. Drawing the Findings Together Bibliography and indices
