The Raven, the Dove, and the Owl of Minerva : The Creation of Humankind in Athens and Jerusalem

Through A Close Textual Analysis And A Contrastive Examination Of Documents From Both Cultures, Mark Glouberman Explores The Biblical Roots Of Our Western Sense Of Self-identity And The Ways In Which Non-philosophical Greek Materials Enhance Our Understanding Of How That Cultural View Developed. Glouberman Illustrates How The Hebrew Scriptures Advance A Humanist Rather Than A Religious View Of Human Nature. He Then Shows That This Same View Is Germinally Present In Non-philosophical Writings Of Archaic And Classical Greece. Finally, Glouberman Argues That The Philosophical Style Of Thinking, The Intellectual Basis Of Greece's Contribution To The West, Is In Fact Hostile To What The Bible Teaches About Human Nature, And That Central Hellenic Figures From Outside The Philosophical Mainstream - Notably Homer And Sophocles - Are 'biblical' In Orientation. Each Of Glouberman's Theses Lends New Depth To Contemporary Research On The Bible As A Source Of Material That Illuminates The Human Condition.--publisher's Website. Introduction: Athens And Jerusalem -- In Defense Of Perplexity -- Man's Estate -- An Ethical Compass -- Raven's Land -- The Reformation -- Contemplating The Bust Of Homer -- Nobodies -- The Birth Of Death -- Becoming Political -- Love Stories -- Life & Times -- Misbehaviourism -- Conclusion: On The Carmel. Mark Glouberman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Through a close textual analysis and a contrastive examination of documents from both cultures, Mark Glouberman explores the biblical roots of our Western sense of self-identity and the ways in which non-philosophical Greek materials enhance our understanding of how that cultural view developed.

Glouberman illustrates how the Hebrew Scriptures advance a humanist rather than a religious view of human nature. He then shows that this same view is germinally present in non-philosophical writings of archaic and classical Greece. Finally, Glouberman argues that the philosophical style of thinking, the intellectual basis of Greece’s contribution to the West, is in fact hostile to what the Bible teaches about human nature, and that central Hellenic figures from outside the philosophical mainstream – notably Homer and Sophocles – are ‘biblical’ in orientation. Each of Glouberman’s theses lends new depth to contemporary research on the Bible as a source of material that illuminates the human condition.

"Through a close textual analysis and a contrastive examination of documents, Mark Glouberman explores the biblical roots of our Western sense of self-identity and the ways in which non-philosophical Greek materials enhance our understanding of how that cultural view developed. Glouberman illustrates how the Hebrew Scriptures advance a humanist rather than a religious view of human nature. He then shows that this same view is germinally present in non-philosophical writings of archaic and classical Greece. Finally, Glouberman argues that the philosophical style of thinking, the intellectual basis of Greece's contribution to the West, is in fact hostile to what the Bible teaches about human nature, and that central Hellenic figures from outside the philosophical mainstream--notably Homer and Sophocles--are 'biblical' in orientation. Each of Glouberman's theses lends new depth to contemporary research on the Bible as a source of material that illuminates the human condition."--Jacket Contents 7 Preface and Acknowledgments 9 Introduction: Athens and Jerusalem 13 1. In Defence of Perplexity 29 2. Man’s Estate 51 3. An Ethical Compass 76 4. Raven’s Land 90 5. The Reformation 118 6. Contemplating the Bust of Homer 134 7. Nobodies 163 8. The Birth of Death 186 9. Becoming Political 205 10. Love Stories 228 11. Life and Times 255 12. Misbehaviourism 281 Conclusion: On the Carmel 310 Notes 319 Bibliography 355 Index 359 This study presents a substantial revision to received ideas about the relationship between biblical and ancient Greek conceptions of human nature.