Studying Greek culture so far has, in many ways, given context to the world in which I live day to day. Essentially starting from a philosophical scratch the Greeks began to touch on the fundamental principles of what it meant to be a human being. They developed the concept of being self aware, a response to an innate sense of morality and the distant, yet distinct, relationship between man and the supernatural. Inspiring? I am continually intrigued how much the Greek mind progressed in almost naturally Christian ways without the benefit of Scripture and, conversely, that many Christians have stunted their intellect by studying only the Bible. Part of our responsibilities as followers of Christ is engaging and relating to the culture we have been placed in; being “in the world, but not of it.” What I have learned from being apart of the Center for Western Studies so far is that all aspects of God’s creation are worthy of our intellectual pursuit and the Word of God provides the framework in which to do so. Whether it is history or math or philosophy or science, the Greeks understood that being a human meant pursuing every one of the different aspects of creation to find and develop the deeper, transcendent meanings within them. I believe the underlying support of the vast influence Greek culture has had throughout the history of western civilization is the purpose found in developing the mind. We are creatures, made to bear the image of God who reveals himself through His creation. No one found more purpose in living as a Christian should live (intellectually) than the Greeks. I have begun to have immense respect for studying the history, literature and art of these cultures because of the context in which it places my everyday life and the glory of God that is revealed through studying His creation.