Monday, August 31, 2015
Greek Worldview
The Greek worldview is focused on the gods, everything revolves around them. Mankind was created to worship the gods, and women were made to be a curse to man (Hesiod pp.20). The Greek gods, unlike our God, were not exactly role-models. In fact the gods are much like the mortals, they are deceitful (pp.19), violent (pp.8), and lustful (pp.29). For the Greeks, truth appears to be whatever the gods say it is (pp.4). Their entire worldview is focused on the gods, and their actions and decisions.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Aetiological Myth
Aetiology: Any study of causes, causation, or causality, as in philosophy, biology, or physics.
An Aetiological myth is a story of why things are the way they are. They explain things in life, and nature. An example of this can be found in Hesiod's praise of the Muses. If a man is wise, or if he stands out, and is looked upon by all people, it is not by his own wisdom. It is because the Muses stand by him and favour him. This story which was believed among the Greeks explained where mortal men gained their wisdom, and is an example of an Aetiological myth.
An Aetiological myth is a story of why things are the way they are. They explain things in life, and nature. An example of this can be found in Hesiod's praise of the Muses. If a man is wise, or if he stands out, and is looked upon by all people, it is not by his own wisdom. It is because the Muses stand by him and favour him. This story which was believed among the Greeks explained where mortal men gained their wisdom, and is an example of an Aetiological myth.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Worldviews and Mythology
1). What are the most significant contrasts between ancient worldviews and modern Western worldviews?
One of the most significant differences between ancient worldviews and modern Western worldviews is that ancient worldviews was more focused on the supernaturalistic view of life, whereas the modern worldview is more science based. In our modern world when there is something that is unknown we attempt to solve it using science, but in the ancient times the answer had something to do with their gods.
4). How can understanding a culture's basic worldview help us better understand or interpret its history?
Understanding a culture's basic worldview will lead to a better understanding of their history because people act according to what they believe. So if we can understand their beliefs then we can understand their actions and the way they lived their lives.
What is Mythology?
Mythology is a collection of a myths. Myths aren't necessarily lies, some may see them as lies, but some see them as the truth. A myth is a story or a belief, so mythology is a collection of cultural beliefs that may or may not be true based on your point of view or culture.
One of the most significant differences between ancient worldviews and modern Western worldviews is that ancient worldviews was more focused on the supernaturalistic view of life, whereas the modern worldview is more science based. In our modern world when there is something that is unknown we attempt to solve it using science, but in the ancient times the answer had something to do with their gods.
4). How can understanding a culture's basic worldview help us better understand or interpret its history?
Understanding a culture's basic worldview will lead to a better understanding of their history because people act according to what they believe. So if we can understand their beliefs then we can understand their actions and the way they lived their lives.
What is Mythology?
Mythology is a collection of a myths. Myths aren't necessarily lies, some may see them as lies, but some see them as the truth. A myth is a story or a belief, so mythology is a collection of cultural beliefs that may or may not be true based on your point of view or culture.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Genesis 1-3: Analysis Questions
4). Does the text say anything about the relationship between men and women?
Men and women are meant to be companions to one another, they are not meant to be alone. God created woman because he said that it was not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18). "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Gen 2:24). this verse shows that the relationship between a husband and wife is an extremely important relationship, the two are to join together in a bond that will not break. Later in Genesis chapter 3:16 God said that woman will subservient to the husband and that the husband will rule over his wife.
5). What is the purpose of human existence according to this account?
" The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it" (Gen 2:15). according to the passage the purpose of human existence is to take care of the earth and to have dominion over the earth (Gen 1:28-20).
6). What is the relationship between man and nature?
Man is to have dominion over all living things (Gen 1:28-29). the earth was made for man as seen in Chapter 1:29 when God told Adam what was to be given to them for food, and again God told Adam and Eve to have dominion over the earth and to fill the earth and subdue it (Gen 1:28)
Bonus: How would you characterize the Hebrew worldview based on Genesis 1-3?
I think that the Hebrew worldview is based on the idea that humans are superior and were created above everything else. Also the fact that there is a God and that he created the world and humans and that he has a purpose for mankind. that purpose, again, is to rule over the earth, to take care of it. I think that those ideas characterize the Hebrew worldview.
Men and women are meant to be companions to one another, they are not meant to be alone. God created woman because he said that it was not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18). "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Gen 2:24). this verse shows that the relationship between a husband and wife is an extremely important relationship, the two are to join together in a bond that will not break. Later in Genesis chapter 3:16 God said that woman will subservient to the husband and that the husband will rule over his wife.
5). What is the purpose of human existence according to this account?
" The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it" (Gen 2:15). according to the passage the purpose of human existence is to take care of the earth and to have dominion over the earth (Gen 1:28-20).
6). What is the relationship between man and nature?
Man is to have dominion over all living things (Gen 1:28-29). the earth was made for man as seen in Chapter 1:29 when God told Adam what was to be given to them for food, and again God told Adam and Eve to have dominion over the earth and to fill the earth and subdue it (Gen 1:28)
Bonus: How would you characterize the Hebrew worldview based on Genesis 1-3?
I think that the Hebrew worldview is based on the idea that humans are superior and were created above everything else. Also the fact that there is a God and that he created the world and humans and that he has a purpose for mankind. that purpose, again, is to rule over the earth, to take care of it. I think that those ideas characterize the Hebrew worldview.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
How to Read a Document
How do you read a document? It sounds like a pretty ridiculous question doesn't it? During a Humanities class my fellow classmates and I received a document titled: How to Read a Document. My initial response was, I already know how to read a document. But upon further exploration I realized that I only partially knew how to read a document. To read and fully understand a document, specifically a historical document, there are several steps that must be taken.
Level One: One must learn as much as possible about the author, not just the name of the author but everything, even what can be learned about their personal life. To whom was this document addressed? This is the next question that must be asked to further understand the idea behind the document. Finally one must take note of the story line in order to focus on what is being said and to gain a better knowledge of the material being read.
Level Two: Dig deeper. Find out why the document was written. In order to develop an analysis one must be able to know the purpose of the document so that the techniques used become evident to the reader. What type of document is this? The form of a document can help the reader to further understand the purpose. What basic assumptions have been made? Some assumptions are left unsaid, some however are quite important to the text and the might be in the text, but they must be identified.
Level Three: Get Personal. Figure out what makes the story true. Learn something new, information is everywhere in the text, it just needs to be found. Last but not least, what does the document mean to you? Why does it matter? These questions can be answered only when the reader has a true understanding of the text, and when the reader has a true understanding of the text they will know how to read a document.
Level One: One must learn as much as possible about the author, not just the name of the author but everything, even what can be learned about their personal life. To whom was this document addressed? This is the next question that must be asked to further understand the idea behind the document. Finally one must take note of the story line in order to focus on what is being said and to gain a better knowledge of the material being read.
Level Two: Dig deeper. Find out why the document was written. In order to develop an analysis one must be able to know the purpose of the document so that the techniques used become evident to the reader. What type of document is this? The form of a document can help the reader to further understand the purpose. What basic assumptions have been made? Some assumptions are left unsaid, some however are quite important to the text and the might be in the text, but they must be identified.
Level Three: Get Personal. Figure out what makes the story true. Learn something new, information is everywhere in the text, it just needs to be found. Last but not least, what does the document mean to you? Why does it matter? These questions can be answered only when the reader has a true understanding of the text, and when the reader has a true understanding of the text they will know how to read a document.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)