Friday 8/16 - So we begin . . .

• P&P

• Finish discussion from yesterday

• Begin HW (Journal) below 

HW (Mon 8/19): 
Make sure that you order a copy of Peter Leithart's Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature. Also order Stanley Lombardo's translation of Hesiod's Works and Days and Theogony (one book). Both of these books are only available in hard copy (not hard cover). All other electronic/hard copy purchase decisions are up to you. Please see the links on the right column of the blog for book info. Many books are cheaper if purchased used. Some overall orders are cheapest if you order everything from Amazon, since order over $25 qualify for free shipping. For Monday, begin reading Leithart and do assignment below (I will post a scanned copy of the first chapter on Moodle by Friday):

J1 (Journal) Heroes (Heroes of the City of Man) (13-23): “Intro” / “The Problem with the Classics”)

1.What did church father Tertullian mean when he asked the question, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?”

2.Why does Peter Leithart quote Tertullian? Why is Tertullian's question apropos for today, according to Leithart? 

3.What little (actually huge) bone does Leithart pick with the authors of Who Killed Homer? and why?

4.Cite two examples of biblical heroes of the faith using pagan literature?

5.What did St. Augustine mean by "plunder the Egyptians"?

6.What are some of the difficulties/pitfalls to plundering the classics?

7.What are three of Leithart's premises (reasons) for why Christians should study the classics?
8.Do you take issue with any of Leithart's premises or conclusions? If so, which one(s) and why? If not, what is your favorite insight of his?