The early stages of Christian theology was greatly influenced by Greek philosophy. Yes, you heard me correctly. Surprised? In fact, one of the biggest debates among Christians during the late second century and early third century was the place of Greek philosophy in the Christian faith. Some, such as a man by the name of Tertullian, adamantly opposed how some of his contemporaries were using the Greek philosophies of Stoicism and Platonism to explain Christian theology to pagan audiences. Tertullian asked the oft quoted and famous questions, "What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the [Platonic] academy and the Church? What between heretics and Christians?"
During this time period we see the rise of the Apologists. This group consisted of several Christian writers of the second century who attempted to defend Christianity against pagan opponents. Most of the apologists, unlike Tertullian, attempted to show the validity of the Christian message by showing its similarities to the best portions of Greek philosophy. Some even promoted Christianity as the "true philosophy," while attempting to show its supremacy over the Greek philosophical thoughts. As the discussion began to develop, Tertullian's view was in the minority. The use of Christianity and philosophy as kindred spirits began to be accepted in Alexandria and Rome, which were the two most important cities in the Roman Empire.
The main defense of this methodology was an appeal to Paul's encounter with the the Greek philosophers in Acts 17. In this encounter, Paul quotes some of the Greek poets in an attempt to find a point of contact with his audience. Some considered this grasping for straws in an attempt to justify a method for what some of the apologists tried to accomplish. Nevertheless, the result was an ongoing dialogue between the Christians and the pagans.
As we just mentioned, the two main philosophies that the Christians incorporated in their defense of Christianity was Platonism and Stoicism. Celsus, who was a pagan philosopher, actually incorporated elements of Platonism, Stoicism, and Epicurianism. He labeled his belief as "the true doctrine." Most Christians found no value in Epicurianism, but saw much to gain in the other two. Furthermore, Greek philosophy rejected the pantheon of gods, and along with all other forms polytheism, as well as the mystery religions. This belief in a single deity and rejection of the Roman and Greek pantheon, provided common ground for Christianity to connect with philosophy.
Greek philosophy also affirmed the spiritual nature of things as the reality behind the visible. They also saw the divine hand in nature and its order. Greek philosophy also affirmed the immortality of the soul, as well as good morals and ethical behavior. Again, such beliefs provided Christianity with an easy bridge to cross. Such an understanding is important when studying the apologists, because it gives us a context to place them in.
So, who were these "apologists" and what was their contribution? Church historians have divided the apologists into two camps. One camp includes Origen, Tertullian, and the Epistle to Diognetus.
Origen and Tertullian lived and wrote into the third century, and stand apart from the other apologists mainly because their writings were more highly developed and sophisticated in thought. These two guys have taken on the label "teachers of the church" more than they have apologists, and will be dealt with more at a later time.
The second group of apologists include those who were more concerned with attempting to show Roman authorities the rationality and seriousness of the Christian faith. These second century apologists include Aristides, Justin Martyr, Melito of Sardis, Athenagoras of Athens, Tatian, and Theophilus of Antioch. In the weeks to come, we will focus on the contribution of three of the most well known of this group: Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, and Theophilus.
During this time period we see the rise of the Apologists. This group consisted of several Christian writers of the second century who attempted to defend Christianity against pagan opponents. Most of the apologists, unlike Tertullian, attempted to show the validity of the Christian message by showing its similarities to the best portions of Greek philosophy. Some even promoted Christianity as the "true philosophy," while attempting to show its supremacy over the Greek philosophical thoughts. As the discussion began to develop, Tertullian's view was in the minority. The use of Christianity and philosophy as kindred spirits began to be accepted in Alexandria and Rome, which were the two most important cities in the Roman Empire.
The main defense of this methodology was an appeal to Paul's encounter with the the Greek philosophers in Acts 17. In this encounter, Paul quotes some of the Greek poets in an attempt to find a point of contact with his audience. Some considered this grasping for straws in an attempt to justify a method for what some of the apologists tried to accomplish. Nevertheless, the result was an ongoing dialogue between the Christians and the pagans.
As we just mentioned, the two main philosophies that the Christians incorporated in their defense of Christianity was Platonism and Stoicism. Celsus, who was a pagan philosopher, actually incorporated elements of Platonism, Stoicism, and Epicurianism. He labeled his belief as "the true doctrine." Most Christians found no value in Epicurianism, but saw much to gain in the other two. Furthermore, Greek philosophy rejected the pantheon of gods, and along with all other forms polytheism, as well as the mystery religions. This belief in a single deity and rejection of the Roman and Greek pantheon, provided common ground for Christianity to connect with philosophy.
Greek philosophy also affirmed the spiritual nature of things as the reality behind the visible. They also saw the divine hand in nature and its order. Greek philosophy also affirmed the immortality of the soul, as well as good morals and ethical behavior. Again, such beliefs provided Christianity with an easy bridge to cross. Such an understanding is important when studying the apologists, because it gives us a context to place them in.
So, who were these "apologists" and what was their contribution? Church historians have divided the apologists into two camps. One camp includes Origen, Tertullian, and the Epistle to Diognetus.
Origen and Tertullian lived and wrote into the third century, and stand apart from the other apologists mainly because their writings were more highly developed and sophisticated in thought. These two guys have taken on the label "teachers of the church" more than they have apologists, and will be dealt with more at a later time.
The second group of apologists include those who were more concerned with attempting to show Roman authorities the rationality and seriousness of the Christian faith. These second century apologists include Aristides, Justin Martyr, Melito of Sardis, Athenagoras of Athens, Tatian, and Theophilus of Antioch. In the weeks to come, we will focus on the contribution of three of the most well known of this group: Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, and Theophilus.