"Hellenized Christianity" And "Christian Philosophy"

Starting in the second century C.E., "Christian" thinkers made a determined effort to reach the pagan intellectuals. Despite the apostle Paul's clear warning against "the empty speeches that violate what is holy" and "the contradictions of the falsely called 'knowledge,' " such teachers integrated in their teachings philosophical elements from the surrounding Hellenistic culture. (1 Timothy 6:20) The example of Philo seemed to suggest that it might be possible to reconcile the Bible with Platonic ideas. -Compare 2 Peter 1:16.

The real victim, of course, was Biblical truth, "Christian" teachers tried to show that Christianity was in harmony with Greco-Roman humanism. Clement of Alexandria and Origen (second and third centuries C.E.) made Neoplatonism the foundation of what came to be "Christian Philosophy." Ambrose (339-397C.E.), bishop of Milan, had "absorbed the most up-to-date Greek learning, Christian and pagan alike-notably the words. . .of the pagan Neoplatonist Plotinus." He tried to provide educated Latins with a classical version of Christianity. Augustine followed suit.

A century later, Dionysius the Areopagite (also styled pseudo-Dionysius), probably a Syrian monk, tried to unite Neoplatonic philosophy with "Christian" theology. According to one encyclopedia, his "writings established a definite Neoplatonic trend in a large segment of medieval Christian doctrine and spirituality . . .that has determined facets of its religious and devotional character to the present time." what a flagrant flouting of the apostle Paul's warning against "the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men."! Colossians 2:8.

Next time: Corrupting Pollutants

Watchtower, 1999