The Iliad and the Crazy Literature Teacher

Here we go again... how much do I LOVE this book? I love it like Hector loves Andromache, like Achilles loves Briesis, like Penelope loves Odysseus.

If you haven't taken the time to read The Iliad, you have truly missed out on one of the greatest literary treasures of all time. I will TRY to refrain from writing a FULL review and commentary on this book, although it is tempting to do.

What I find remarkable about the Iliad is that the Greeks had NO qualms with giving the gods their due. The Argives (Greeks) and Trojans never dared to go into battle without first offering sacrifices to their gods. When there was success, the gods were thanked. When there was failure, the gods were consulted. Without question, these ancient people did not try to fight "fate." The will of the gods was the law of the land. Fate will have it's way.

OH.... so much to say here. What is fate? In the ancient world, fate was an uncontrollable, impersonal force. As Christians, we have some ideas about fate of our own. I believe in a sovereign God. Does this mean that FATE is fatalistic? No, because where fate is an uncontrollable, random force, God's sovereignty is executed by a loving and personal God.

AND YET... even with this UNBELIEVABLE lack of control over their "destiny," the culture of the ancient world knew the value of sacrifice to their gods. Why then, do we, as Christians... servants of a LOVING and SELFLESS God...have such a difficult time giving HIM HIS due? Our hope is great, theirs was nil.

My students have been known, on occasion, to remind me that these stories AREN'T REAL (though they do reveal a lot about the cultures in which they were written). Ha ha.... While reading Pride and Prejudice, a flabbergasted student chastised me, "Why are we even talking about this, these people aren't even REAL!" I laughed so hard when he said that, and have taunted him about it often. My explanation is simple...a GREAT story STICKS where "admonishing" our loved ones sometimes fails. Goodness... Jesus was the master of great stories. Parables speak to us all in different ways.

Stay in the Word. Seek to understand the World.