Should Pastors and Biblical Scholars Read the Great Books? Yes!

There are many good cases for classical education that emphasize the need to be well-rounded, a critical thinker, steeped in Western heritage, etc. But a sometimes overlooked benefit of classical education, and specifically a Great Books education, is the benefit that a biblical scholar or pastor receives from knowing the stories and literature of the Western world. St. Paul spoke to a largely Greek audience. A pastor who is oblivious to the stories and literature of the Western (and therefore Greek) tradition will miss some of the richness of the text. Hear Dr. Ben Merkle, of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho as he exposits this text from Ephesians, explaining the imaginary that Paul borrowed from the Iliad:

Sermon Clip: The Aristea of God