Gilgamesh & Enkidu, True friends?

What makes a true friend? Take some time to jot down a few qualities. The Bible is a great reference. Apply these qualities to the friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Do you think they are true friends?

The Epic of Gilgamesh

We're moving on in our study of the Great Books. Moving into the first story, the first epic. The epic poem is a long, narrative poem detailing an adventure or journey of an epic hero. We must remember what Foster teaches in How to Read a Book Like a Professor, a journey is never just a journey. It is a tale of seemingly insurmountable feats that ultimately results in the hero coming into maturity or self actualization. It's exciting as a reader to go along on these journeys. We can learn life lessons along with the hero himself.

Keep in mind the common characteristics of an epic hero as you read:
1. Unusual circumstances of birth, sometimes in danger or born into royalty
2. An event, sometimes traumatic leads to an adventure or quest
3. The hero has supernatural help
4. The hero must prove himself many times while on adventure
5. When the hero dies, he is rewarded spiritually.

Sounds like it would make a good movie!

Does Man have Free Will?

As you read Exodus, see if you can determine if man has free will. Is he able to make choices of his own? What about Pharoah, who's heart is hardened. Does he have free will? If not why? Please fell free to comment on your thoughts here. We'd love to here from you!

Exodus

I am so grateful to have this opportunity to teach my children at home. We have all learned how to really think and explore issues we wouldn't have been able to in public school. This week we enter Exodus in the Bible. I always remember what Thomas Foster says in his book How to Read Like a Professor, "every trip is a quest." Most quests involve an actual reason for leaving that is usually not the true reason for the quest. They involve challenges that the questers must overcome. But most importantly, the reason for most quests in literature is "Self Knowledge." What will the Israelites learn? Will they succeed?

Genesis and the Fall

Our first Ancient Text to study is Genesis. After God discovers that Adam & Eve have eaten from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil He punishes all of mankind. Our question from todays reading (Genesis 1-11), is is it fair to punish or reward some people for the actions of another? What does our culture say? What does scripture say? Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 may give you some food for thought. Please let us know your opinion in the comments section below.

Michaelangelo's Creation of Adam

Who is the woman under God's left arm? The cheribum are all shown as chubby infants. The woman however is mature. Hint: Eve appears in another part of this painting in the Sistine Chapel and she does not look like this woman.

What do you think the shell is around God and the cherubim?