Reading “Greats” 6.2.2022

    This week I am going to write about reading, of which I hope to do much this summer. (That sentence may not make it past Grammarly.) I hope that you have some things laid aside to read over the next several weeks. There will be some hot days (for staying indoors.) There will be (for some of you) beach days, which are good for reading. The days will be longer which brings more opportunities. Reading will improve every area of your writing. Your sermons will be richer because reading provides a depth of color. Any articles you write should be accurate and informed because solid reading makes our thinking accurate and informed. Even camp lessons will be more effective if you have read yourself full prior to preparing. 

    Over each of the next several weeks, I will highlight different kinds of reading that make for a well-rounded intellectual diet. I am assuming of course, that you are keeping up with your “work reading.” Biblical exegesis, theology, relevant periodical literature, reading for specific projects, that sort of thing. I really should not need to tell you about that. I hope. Beyond reading and research which is transformed directly into data for upcoming preaching, there are subjects, genres, and areas of concentration that broaden our outlook. I have chosen a month’s worth though there certainly are more. Each of us has areas in which we are interested or enlighten us in such a way that we can find illustrations, truisms, and anecdotes that others might miss. 

    This week’s area of study will require a bit of explanation because 1) The term is rarely used in the United States. 2) It is a subject that has been contracting for more than a century. I am talking about what our English brethren call “Greats” which I shall hitherto not enclose in quotation marks.

    Greats is a term used to define a well-rounded humanities-driven education. It is what we think of when we think of a “classical” education. 150 years ago, it simply meant “educated.” Now it tends to describe antiquarians. What a shame. All that learning has now been shown the door so that we can Tik Tok one another.  

    A traditional “classical” education or “reading Greats” meant the study of Greek and Latin, Linguistics, Greco-Roman History, Philosophy, and Archeology. Presuming you are familiar with the development of our mutual faith during the Hellenistic period, it should be clear why reading Greats would enhance your understanding of the world in which the New Testament was written and our faith first flourished. 

    Much of this is what we think of as “backgrounds.” And while that is true, as far as the work of preaching is concerned, it has been, for centuries, a proving ground for great thinkers. 

Now, I understand that having focused on Hellenistic Greek does not mean reading Classical Greek will be easy. There are many "helps", however, and at least being able to reference the original is helpful when reading good translations. The Loeb Classical Library featured editions that included the text and translation on facing pages which is a great way to bulk up your nascent language skills. Anyway, as you read Herodotus,  Plato, or Aesop— or whoever I would recommend focusing on the following.

1. Focus on Language as the Glue of Culture

2. Focus on History as the Record of Culture

3. Focus on Philosophy as Conversation in Culture

4. Focus on Archaeology as Residue of Culture.

    You are going to find if you pay attention to what is going on around you, that the language, history, philosophy, and archaeology of the ancient world still inform our world to a remarkable degree. Human beings are stubborn and resilient. We also prefer to do what we know works. Reading Greats reminds us that many of the mistakes, as well as many of the successes of the ancient world, still occur today. 

    Where to start? If you have never spent a great amount of time reading ancient humanities it can be difficult to figure out where to start, particularly with all the other reading you should be doing.  (You are, right?) I would recommend beginning with the Apostolic, Nicene, and Post-Nicene Fathers. Technically they are Hellenistic rather than classical, but if your Greek is rusty you can begin with the English and then muddle through the Greek. You can begin to understand this historic way of thinking as you sharpen your language skills—a win-win situation. 

    Anthologies of ancient literature, history, archaeology, and philosophy are abundant. If you do not, you should have some of these sorts of books on your analog or digital shelves. And this stuff is on the internet for crying out loud. If you’re going to surf, at least ride some waves that will improve your work. These kinds of anthologies are otherwise practical for checking facts, figures, and citations.  It is good to be able to check quotations in our Biblically focused literature, particularly when they are citing historical, philosophical, or textual information which is widely available. I know that “fact-checking” has gotten a bad rap recently but if you ever, ever, ever speak in public—you. Had. Better. Fact. Check. 

    For hundreds of years, what we are talking about was the basis of education. Gradually this sort of interdisciplinary, text-focused learning process was displaced by a practicum, laboratories, and lectures. So, in some sense with all that practical learning behind you, regardless of your age you are in the perfect position to continue your education, reading yourself full in order that everything you learn may be brought to bear on your pulpit work.