Greek Culture and the Greek Testament

A Plea for the Study of the Greek Classics and the Greek New Testament

By

DOREMUS A. HAYES

Chair of New Testament Interpretation, Graduate School of Theology, Evanston, Illinois

THE ABINGDON PRESS

NEW YORK

CINCINNATI

Copyright, 1925, by

DOREMUS A. HAYES

All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian

To

ERNEST WARD BURCH

ABLE SCHOLAR, DEVOTED TEACHER, LOYAL

ASSOCIATE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT FIELD

CONTENTS

A Personal Foreword

part

I. A Wonderful Land

II. A Wonderful People

III. A Wonderful Language

IV. A Wonderful Literature

V. A Wonderful Book. The Greatest Greek Book: The New Testament

A PERSONAL FOREWORD

For some years early in life I held the chair of Greek Language and Literature in a college faculty. For many years now I have worked in the department of New Testament Interpretation in a theological school. All of my teaching career has been devoted to a study of the Greek, and my life has been indefinitely enriched thereby. This little book is written in the hope that others may be induced to share in the privileges I have enjoyed.

I hear to-day that one of my neighbors has begun the study of Greek in a correspondence course. Years ago she heard Professor Gildersleeve lecture on the advantages of Greek culture and ever since she has longed to study Greek for herself. She had no opportunity in middle life; but now in her widowhood and the comparative leisure of advancing years she is realizing her cherished ambition at last. She is at present reading the Anabasis with great delight and we can imagine what her joy will be when she comes to the reading of her Greek New Testament.

Within the week I have heard of another of my neighbors who when sent to Arizona in ill health was warned by his physicians not to take many books with him; and so he took only one book, his Greek Testament. Will anyone who reads this volume be disposed to question the wisdom of his choice?

I desired to call this book Gold and White Ivory, taking the words from one of Pindar’s Odes to represent what was valuable and to be had only for effort and cost; but the publishers thought that the title was too blind, and they preferred the prosier and plainer one now given. One must dig for gold. One must travel far to find original ivory. Yet there are those who think it worth while and who come home laden with rich treasure. Are there not many, both among the laity and the clergy, who will be willing to toil as much as may be necessary in order to enjoy the reward of personal and first-hand acquaintance with Greek Culture and the Greek Testament? When they once realize its value and its necessity, I am assured that they will. I have written in that faith and to that end.

Evanston, June 1, 1925.