Carefully note the difference.
The ancients were humble enough and wise enough to recognize that there are other spiritual entities larger than themselves, who control certain aspects of the world.
That they invented pagan deities to meet this need is irrelevant. The more important fact is that the ancient civilizations all acknowledged the presence of divinity in some form.
Only modern, Christian, western, enlightened beings were arrogant enough and vain enough to cast off all the ancient wisdom and declare themselves atheists. Only in the west, only in formerly Christian countries do you see atheists.
There were no atheists in the ancient, pagan world. (Mic drop).
Yes. The traditional saying is that Western civilization was created by the meeting of Rome and Jerusalem. One clear example is provided by the seven canonical virtues, of which four are the cardinal virtues of pagan philosophy (prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice), which the Church Fathers accepted (and to which they added the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity). The orthodox Christian view has always been that right reason and revelation are fully compatible and that, when one discovers an apparent contradiction, one is seeing either bad theology or faulty reason. Reason and revelation are supposed to act as checks on each other.
“Pagan Classics” sounds like the name of a smooth jazz band.
But, yeah, read the aforementioned writers, along with Marcus Aurelius. Some good readin’ to be had there.
>>>What I hope to show is that the pagan classics provide the foundation for all human knowledge<<<
It would seem that the serpent in the garden was all about telling Eve that she needed to just experience the world, to get some of that knowledge that God was keeping her from.
She listened to him, and thus we ended up with the pagan classics a few years later.
Paul said we are better off being simple when it comes to the evil around us.
“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil” (Romans 16:19).
AMEN AND AMEN AND AMEN.
The best of the Spanish voyagers to the New World, brought not only a missionary zeal, but the accoutrements of Western thought and development.
Father Kino(an Italian) brought the Gospel, knowledge of building beautiful edifices, animal husbandry, seeds for planting and general education and more.
There’s an excellent book called “Wicca’s Charm”, written by a very brilliant friend of mine. She received a very generous fellowship grant, and took a full year to travel and meet with pagans, wiccans, etc.
The book is an amazing look at why people choose these spiritualities.
Available on Amazon for only $6!
Kindle edition $4.99.
A fascinating read!