There’s a certain collection of Greek and Roman writings - from roughly 800 BC to AD 200 - which, apart from the Bible, has shaped the Western world more than any other intellectual tradition.

Today, we call them the Classics.

Many are familiar with the names behind these ancient texts: Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Livy … the list goes on.

But just because these works have a legacy doesn’t mean that people today actually like them.

For starters, they’re hard work. Mark Twain once described a Classic as “something that everybody wants to have read, and nobody wants to read”.

Others dislike the very concept of the Classics because they privilege the writings of (presumably) white men over other rich, non-Western traditions.

But like it or not, the Classics still matter in their own right today - especially if you’re interested in Christianity.

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CREDITS

Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley.

Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.

Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian.

Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.

Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant.

Peter Kozushko is our North American representative and a point of contact for church pastors interested in engaging with our work here at Undeceptions.

Editing by Richard Hamwi.

Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.

Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible.

Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.