It's Always Been Greek to Me . . .

When I first heard the concept of the Greek education versus Hebrew education, I found it extremely fascinating.  There was something almost exhilarating as well as liberating to see outlined how I had been a walking contradiction.  The methodology and results between the two clearly put them as opposing forces and I had been trying in vain to make them compatible.  Some of the points that impressed me are as follows:

 

The Greek is focused on the mastery of knowledge and skills.  The Hebrew is focused on purpose and relationships (where knowledge and skills are a by-product or acquired along the way while building relationships and fulfilling purpose). The Greek philosophy sees the mind as a container that needs to be filled.  The Hebrew sees the mind as clay which needs to be molded into its masterpiece. 

The Greek teacher manipulates its student through behaviorism.  The Hebrew teacher inspires the student to desire to change their behavior.  The Greek approach is to shape the mind.  The Hebrew approach is to shape the heart.  The Greek method is to put knowledge in so they can regurgitate it and know what to think.  The Hebrew method is to draw knowledge out so as they search inwardly and learn how to think. 

The differences continue.  The Greek method is very organized and systematic – compartmentalized subjects and packaged curriculum.  The Hebrew method is messy, where all subjects and concepts are intermingled in a unity or wholeness. 

Greek education is dependent on teacher’s training and tools (curriculum), whereas Hebrew education is dependent upon the teacher’s love for the student and the content.  Greek students attempt to learn what the teacher knows.  Hebrew students attempt to become what the teacher is. The Greek focuses on Content.  The Hebrew focuses on Context.

If the opposing views were looked at with anamosity it might be said that the goal of the Greek education is to create individuals who are “useful idiots” to serve the state.  Whereas the Hebrew strive to create individuals who are “blindly obedient” to serve their creator. 

The Hellenistic objective is ‘knowing’.  The Hebrew objective is ‘BECOMING’ or the practical application.  The Greek is concerned with right thinking.  The Hebrew is concerned with right conduct. The Greek learn in order to comprehend.  The Hebrew learn in order to worship God or serve mankind.

The Greek thinker views success as acquiring or owning beauty, brawn, intelligence, money, or popularity.  They ask the question “How will this benefit me”.  The Hebrew mindset views success as demonstrating service to others, worship to God, and obedience to his commandments.  They ask the question “How will this benefit others”.

That long list probably would have been better organized as bullet points in two separate columns (Greek style) but the poetic factor (Hebrew style) of the contrast would have been lost.  Yet another demonstration of the two divisions of thought. 

So now a couple questions.  1) Is it true? and 2) Does it matter?  Of course there are proponents and opponents for both sides of those questions.  In my humble opinion, it is more a matter of principle than a matter of facts. 

I agree that the factual application of this idea is in gross error.  Not all Greeks were consistent in this way of thinking and neither were all Hebrews so saintly in their application. 

Chicken or the Egg?

The world loves to view things in the extremes.  And people love to sensationalize their perspective is superior than another – stuck in an either/or mode of thinking.  But that doesn’t necessarily indicate that reality exists in that mode. 

One of the philosophies may have possibly been foundational or a preparation to the other.  Such as we find in the comparison of the lower (mosaic) law versus the higher (Christian) law.  Both are valuable for the purpose they were meant to perform, but one is more complete.  That applies in this context as well.  The Greek focus of content or knowledge is a valuable objective to pursue, but it is lacking in completeness of the whole person. 

The Greek way of thinking may be different and lacking, but still had influence on the Hebrew.  The Hebrew ideal originated from Adam and so must have had influence on the Greek perspective.  It all sounds like the childhood dilemma - Which came first, the chicken or the egg?  The Greek or the Hebrew?  

Again, chronology of influence may be missing the boat.  Identifying the distinguishing characteristics of each mode of thinking is valuable to clarify where one may be or where one would like to go, but it doesn’t establish which one is consistent with truth.  

The Greek education has been all I've ever known in my own schooling experience.  It's always been Greek to me.  But should it continue to be.  The Hebrew philosophy pulls on my heart as what I want to obtain for myself, my children, and ultimately, for all society at large.  Focusing more on the BECOMING rather than simply the KNOWING.