The Challenge of Homer : School, Pagan Poets and Early Christianity

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Challenge of HomerSchool, Pagan Poets and Early Christianity\nAuthor(s): Karl Olav Sandnes\nFormat: Paperback\nPublisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, United Kingdom\nImprint: T.& T.Clark Ltd\nISBN-13: 9780567692030, 978-0567692030\nSynopsis\nHomer 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.\n\nThis 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 atti.