missions
Christopher Nolan’s ‘Odyssey’ and Homer’s Splintered Gospel
By Haley Byrd Wilt at Christianity Today
· July 9, 2026
· 1 min read
Centuries before the New Testament authors wrote their gospels, Homer laid down his own evangelium: Now royal Odysseus, who had borne the long war, spoke again: …“Your lord is now at hand.And I expect a gift for this good news [evangelion]when he enters his own hall. Till then I would nottake a rag,
Key takeaway And I expect a gift for this good news [evangelion]when he enters his own hall.
Why this matters
The concept of evangelium, or good news, has its roots in ancient Greek literature, as seen in Homer's Odyssey. This historical context is significant for Christian missions, as it highlights the evolution of the term "gospel" and its various interpretations across cultures and time periods. The use of evangelium in Homer's work to describe a message of victory and return can be seen as a precursor to the Christian concept of gospel as a message of salvation and redemption. This connection between ancient Greek literature and Christian theology can inform modern missionary approaches, particularly in how they communicate the gospel message to diverse audiences. By understanding the historical and cultural nuances of the term "gospel," missionaries can develop more effective strategies for sharing the Christian message with people from different backgrounds, increasing the potential for meaningful engagement and spiritual impact.
About this story
Original reporting by Christianity Today . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: missions ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Christianity Today ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Centuries before the New Testament authors wrote their gospels, Homer laid down his own evangelium: Now royal Odysseus, who had borne the long war, spoke again: …“Your lord is now at hand.And I expect a gift for this good news [evangelion]when he enters his own hall. Till then I would nottake a rag,
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Christianity Today and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Haley Byrd Wilt at Christianity Today. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .