Abstract

Section I. Introductory. pp I-15. Matthew Arnold on Hebraism & Hellenism. Need for Historical rather than Psychological destinction. Homer & the Bible taken as the basis of study. Relation of Homer to the general current of Hellenic religion. The Olympic gods:- Their rise from pre-Homeric superstition. Their decadence in Homer. Their purification in later Greek thought. The religion of the Mysteries. The gods of the philosophers. Section II. The fundamental conceptions of Hebrew & Greek thought. pp15-43 Part I. Conception of Deity. Hebrew conception. Jehovah 's majesty & holiness. Jehovah's fierce wrath. Jehovah' s loving compassion. Greek conception. The aloofness of the gods of the mysteries. The familiar Olympians. The philosopher's god- Aristotle. Part II. Relation between Deity & humanity. Section II. Part II. Relation between Deity & humanity. Hebrew relation. The paradox of Man's nature:= man as the “dust of the earth’ man as the “image of God”. Man's sin & God's patience. Jehovah's twofold demand of fear & obedience. The fear is progressively purified. Obedience:- as worship. as morality. Union of worship & morality in the Law. Jehovah's special favour to the Hebrews. Greek relation. Homer. Relation of Olympians to Greeks is that of patrons & protégés. The gods demand regular sacrifices. The gods exact obedience by compulsion. The gods compel to evil as well as good. The philosophers. Zeus is the system of the Universe. Obedience to inevitable decrees. The Mysteries. Relation of mystic union with the god. Section II. Part III. Conception of Nature. Hebrew attitude. Absence of mysticism- God is outside & above his works. Nature as a partial revelation of God’s character. Response of Nature in obedience, praise & fear. Section IV. Hebraism & Hellenism in Milton. pp65-I07. Source of influence. Hebraism of Temperament & Religious Conviction, Hellenism of culture. The reconciliation of these. Mil ton's life. Hellenism in his artistic pursuits. Hebraism in the justification of these on religious grounds. Hebraism in his steadfastness of religious purpose. Hebraism in his uprightness of character. Milton's poetry. In the early works, Hellenism predominates but Hebraism breaks through. In the later work, Hebraism predominates but Hellenism breaks through. Section V. Conclusion. Suggestion of higher synthesis.