Philosophy in Christian Antiquity

A brief, lucid and systematic account of the origin of philosophy and how it transformed Christian thought.

Christopher Stead (Author)

9780521469555, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 24 November 1994

276 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.6 cm, 0.35 kg

"...Stead's work has always stood out for its conceptual rigor and nuanced understanding of classical philosophy." John Peter Kenney, Journal of Religion

Christianity began as a little-known Jewish sect, but rose within 300 years to dominate the civilised world. It owed its rise in part to inspired moral leadership, but also to its success in assimilating, criticising and developing the philosophies of the day, which offered rationally approved life-styles and moral directives. Without abandoning their allegiance to their founder and to Holy Scripture, Christians could therefore present their faith as a 'new philosophy'. This book, which is written for non-specialist readers, provides a concise conspectus of the emergence of philosophy among the Greeks; an account of its continuance in early Christian times, and its influence on early Christian thought, especially in formulating the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation; and finally a brief critical assessment of the philosophy of St Augustine - arguably the greatest philosopher of the first millennium.

Foreword
List of abbreviations
Part I. The Philosophical Background
1. From the beginnings to Socrates
2. Socrates and the Platonic forms
3. The philosophy of Plato's maturity
4. Aristotle
5. Epicurus and the Stoics
6. The Middle Platonists and Philo of Alexandria
7. The philosophy of late antiquity
Part II. The Use of Philosophy in Christian Theology: 8. The debate about Christian philosophy
9. Greek and Hebrew conceptions of God
10. Proofs of God's existence
11. God as simple, unchanging being
12. How God is described
13. Logos and Spirit
14. Unity of substance
15. Substance and persons
16. Christ as God and man
17. Two natures united
PART III. Augustine: 18. Philosophy, faith and knowledge
19. Freedom and goodness
Bibliography
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of religion [HRAB]