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Who was Homer? Active about 850 B.C., nothing is known of Homer apart from the Iliad and Odyssey, both epic poems that define the Greek perspective and establish the pattern for all succeeding Greek literature. The epics are poetical fiction rooted to some extent in historical fact. Even though we don't know a lot about Homer, we do know what a lot of his friends have said about him:

Read Homer once, and you can read no more; For all books else appear so mean, so poor...." (John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham & Normanby, 1648-1721)

Homer and Hesiod attributed to the gods everything that is a shame and a reproach among men." (Xenophanes, 570-475 B.C.)

Seven wealthy towns contend for Homer dead, through which the living Homer begged his bread." (Thomas Seward (1708-1790)

Homer is new and fresh this morning, and nothing, perhaps, is as old and tired as today's newspaper." (Charles Peguy, 1873-1914)

Historical context. Homer wrote of events that had occurred many years prior, related to Greece's war with the City of Troy in Asia Minor. According to myth, the Trojan War resulted from the vanity of 3 goddesses, who entered into a beauty contest. Zeus refused to judge, deferring to the Trojan ruler, Paris. Paris was promised the Greek beauty Helen (world's most beautiful woman, but the wife of Menelaus) if he will decide for Aphrodite. The couple elopes to Troy and the Greeks lay siege. The Iliad concerns the wrath of the Greek champion Achilles, aroused by the insult of his comrade, Agamemnon. This prompts Achilles to withdraw from battle, leaving his fellows to suffer defeat until he re-enters the contest.

The Odyssey depicts the Greek hero Odysseus, whose wife and property are besieged by a band of suitors because his return from the Trojan War is delayed. He embarks on a 10-year adventure, returning in disguise to a glorious reunion after executing revenge on the suitors. Homer wrote during the period of Israel's degeneracy, reflecting the Jew's failure to shine as a beacon to the nations around them ( Deut. 4:6,7).

Summary of Homer's teaching. Homer portrays a distorted view of God, man, salvation, and ethics (the science of moral behavior). The Greek gods are created in the image of man: fickle, cruel, quarrelsome, and immoral. In this polytheistic (belief in many gods) view, quarreling and war is ensured "on earth as it is in heaven." With nobody ultimately in control, the "fate" dispensed by the gods is random in its distribution of blessing and misfortune, unlike God's loving sovereignty. ⁽³⁾ Fate is a power regarded as predetermining events unalterably, regardless of human action. By contrast, God in His sovereignty accounts for human moral action.

The ideal man in Greek mythology is the hero, whose goal is to attain glory and immortality in battle, whatever the cost to others. Salvation is achieved by heroic effort. Heroic pride makes strife inevitable and repentance impossible, thereby shutting men off from God. Life consists therefore, of interminable warfare with brief interludes of peace, but little hope of eternal rest.

Suffering or self-denial -- such as that of Odysseus -- is endured only to inflict greater suffering on one's enemies at a later time, unlike the suffering of Christ on behalf of others. In contrast with God's free gift of eternal life, gifts in Greek society are used to attain personal and political power. As with Odysseus, the bonds of marital fidelity may be violated with impunity. Yet only the brutality, wiles and deception of an Odysseus can restore societal peace and order.

Implications for subsequent history. Greek autonomy, in which "man is the measure of all things", has challenged biblical theonomy (rule of God's law) in every age. The "heroic" ideal has reaped a harvest of evil down to the present day. It infected medieval chivalry and was carried over into the Coda Duella of the American South and West. Men were honor-bound to accept a challenge to fight to the death, with no regard for the restraints of biblical law. The "heroic" spirit has provoked and animated countless wars and political strife. The Sixth Commandment requires us to preserve our life by defending it, but we are commanded not to avenge ourselves due to wounded pride (Rom. 12:19).

Biblical analysis. The Sixth Commandment requires us to preserve our life by defending it, but we are commanded not to avenge ourselves due to wounded pride ( Rom. 12:19). Homer's heroes are concerned only with self-deification through feats of martial valor. In stark contrast are the biblical heroes listed in the "Hall of Faith" ( Heb. 11). In victory or "defeat" these saints looked to God in faith rather than to themselves and were concerned with His glory rather than their own. In contrast to the Greek system of "works-salvation", is the biblical assertion that Christ alone can save man from the wrath of God.

Corrective or prescriptive actions. "Greeks bearing gifts" always seek to enhance their own political interests. Voters must learn to reject the promises of politicians to supply all their needs and politicians must reject gifts (votes) proffered by voters in exchange for political favors.

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	Q#1	How does the Greek heroic ideal differ from the heroic ideal presented in the Bible (Hebrews 11)?
	Q#2	What system of salvation is offered by the Greek heroic ideal? How does this differ from the biblical plan of salvation? How does the portrayal of Zeus in the Odyssey compare with the biblical picture of God?
	Q#3	What lessons about marital fidelity may be gleaned from the Odyssey?
	Q#4	What is the symbolism associated with Penelope standing by a pillar and later weaving as a stratagem for keeping the suitors at arm’s length? What is the significance of the several female characters in the Odyssey?
	Q#5	What is the significance of Odysseus’ journey to the land of the dead as the central episode in a series of heroic escapes from death? Why are his life and death struggles, prior to returning to his home all centered on the sea? How does he finally escape from this dream world?
	Q#6	What is the ultimate purpose of suffering and self-denial as portrayed in the Odyssey and how does this compare with the biblical purpose of suffering?(e.g. I Peter 4)
	Q#7	What is the significance of the recurring symbolism of food throughout the Odyssey?(cf. John 6)
	Q#8	What is the implicit teaching of the Odyssey regarding the means required to establish societal order? What clues do we find in the subtleties of Odysseus’ character -- his frequent assumption of disguises and false identities?
	Q#9	Explain the meaning and importance of the various 'recognition scenes' that occur throughout the last half of the epic? What is symbolized by the final 'test of the bed' that Penelope sets before Odysseus?
	Q#10	In what ways does Odysseus’ return to Ithaca parallel the life and work of Jesus Christ? In what ways does it depart from the biblical story?

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