Ancient Philosophy And Christianity

[♦ ficino ♦]

Review of what sounds like an interesting overview of the controversies between Christians and Greek philosophers in antiquity:

 

http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2014/2014-10-57.html

 

The Christians argued that philosophy can't be right, since philosophers are always disagreeing, but God's revealed truth is one.  (How many disagreements about doctrine did the Christians have by then?  Gnostics were ignored, for example.... )  The philosophers (Celsus, Porphyry, Julian and others) argued that Christianity can't be right, because it's a new religion - i.e. invented.  I like Celsus' observation that Christianity demands you don't ask questions, only believe!

[Wololo]

Interesting.

 

We were divided right from the very beginning. These Christians certainly do not represent the more moderate ones that were happy to engage in debate. Why no mention of the likes of Augustine and co.? There were plenty of Christian philosophers in the early days.

[Ravenstar]

Have you read Augustine?  Man was a nutter.

[♦ ficino ♦]

Morlet's book isn't in my libraries yet, though other books by him are in them. So I haven't seen it. My guess is that he does discuss Augustine but that the reviewer simply didn't mention all the authors treated by Morlet.

[Guest Furball]

I remember reading augustines confessions and in his year (300 and something) he admits there were people already stating that they didn't have the original texts, only copies. People think this is a new thing, but it was happening way back then. just my 2 shekels