Greek Literature and Christian Doctrine in Early Christianity: A Difficult Co-Existence
This paper traces the complex relationship between classical literature and Christian doctrine in the first four centuries. In the earliest period of Christianity, we can identify two attitudes of Christians towards Greek literature: the hostile attitude shown by Tatian, Theophilus, and Tertullian,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Literature |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-9789/3/3/20 |
| _version_ | 1797579151585050624 |
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| author | Roberta Franchi |
| author_facet | Roberta Franchi |
| author_sort | Roberta Franchi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper traces the complex relationship between classical literature and Christian doctrine in the first four centuries. In the earliest period of Christianity, we can identify two attitudes of Christians towards Greek literature: the hostile attitude shown by Tatian, Theophilus, and Tertullian, and the openness to Greek culture and philosophy demonstrated by Justin the Martyr, Athenagoras of Athens, and Minucius Felix. A notable change happened in the Alexandrian milieu when Clement of Alexandria and Origen started considering Greek classics the embodiment of an authentic Christian spirit. In keeping with Origen, Basil of Caesarea realized a good synthesis between Greek thought and Christian faith. Noting germs of divine revelation in ancient Greek thought, Christian authors took the tools of Greco-Roman criticism and ancient philosophy to develop their doctrine. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:31:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-36a29f15dffb44a294fcdaeee780e50e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2410-9789 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:31:50Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Literature |
| spelling | doaj.art-36a29f15dffb44a294fcdaeee780e50e2023-11-19T11:38:36ZengMDPI AGLiterature2410-97892023-07-013329631210.3390/literature3030020Greek Literature and Christian Doctrine in Early Christianity: A Difficult Co-ExistenceRoberta Franchi0Dipartimento di Lettere e Filosofia, Università di Firenze, 50121 Florence, ItalyThis paper traces the complex relationship between classical literature and Christian doctrine in the first four centuries. In the earliest period of Christianity, we can identify two attitudes of Christians towards Greek literature: the hostile attitude shown by Tatian, Theophilus, and Tertullian, and the openness to Greek culture and philosophy demonstrated by Justin the Martyr, Athenagoras of Athens, and Minucius Felix. A notable change happened in the Alexandrian milieu when Clement of Alexandria and Origen started considering Greek classics the embodiment of an authentic Christian spirit. In keeping with Origen, Basil of Caesarea realized a good synthesis between Greek thought and Christian faith. Noting germs of divine revelation in ancient Greek thought, Christian authors took the tools of Greco-Roman criticism and ancient philosophy to develop their doctrine.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-9789/3/3/20Greek literatureChristian doctrinelearningmastersChristian authors |
| spellingShingle | Roberta Franchi Greek Literature and Christian Doctrine in Early Christianity: A Difficult Co-Existence Literature Greek literature Christian doctrine learning masters Christian authors |
| title | Greek Literature and Christian Doctrine in Early Christianity: A Difficult Co-Existence |
| title_full | Greek Literature and Christian Doctrine in Early Christianity: A Difficult Co-Existence |
| title_fullStr | Greek Literature and Christian Doctrine in Early Christianity: A Difficult Co-Existence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Greek Literature and Christian Doctrine in Early Christianity: A Difficult Co-Existence |
| title_short | Greek Literature and Christian Doctrine in Early Christianity: A Difficult Co-Existence |
| title_sort | greek literature and christian doctrine in early christianity a difficult co existence |
| topic | Greek literature Christian doctrine learning masters Christian authors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-9789/3/3/20 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT robertafranchi greekliteratureandchristiandoctrineinearlychristianityadifficultcoexistence |