Christians Reading Classics Reading Ancient Pagans As Modern Christians
Nov 6, 2025
Dive into the tale of Tantalus, where ambition meets divine punishment, revealing how success can become a burden. Explore King Hieron’s Olympic triumph and the moral lessons embedded in Pindar's odes. Delve into the duality of victory as both a reward and a temptation to challenge the gods. Discover how reading Greco-Roman classics can enrich a Christian’s understanding of faith, offering joy and deeper insights into the biblical world. Nadya Williams encourages embracing ancient texts for spiritual growth and character formation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Hieron's Victory And Tantalus's Crime
- Nadya Williams recounts King Hieron's Olympic victory and Pindar's commissioned ode that celebrates the win.
- She retells the myth of Tantalus serving his son Pelops to the gods and Zeus's punishment of eternal, unreachable food and drink.
Success's Seductive Danger
- Williams argues great victories carry a seductive danger that tempts people to 'test the gods' or claim divine status.
- Success can transform into a burden that threatens moral ruin if we make ourselves into our own gods.
Give Glory To God In Victory
- Williams counsels Christians to find rest in Christ alone rather than claim victories as their own.
- She urges giving glory to God in moments of triumph to avoid jealousy and moral collapse.
