Can Greek Philosophy co-exist with Christianity?

Question

The Greek philosophers had a tremendous impact upon early Christian thought. Luther did away with that in his attempt at "dehellenizing" Christianity by reducing the value of reason in Christian theology. Is Greek thought a moral wasteland for Protestants? Is there wisdom to be had there? Is it compatible with Christian thought?

I should add that the first word in the Gospel of Luke is, in Greek, "logos" meaning reason or logic. I'm a staunch Protestant and I disagree readily with the Catholic Church. But the Pope was right several weeks ago when he gave his famous speech pleading reason's case for compatibility.

Answer 1

The first word in the Gospel of Luke is επειδηπερ which is a stronger form of επει. To be honest Luke doesn't use the word "λογος" in the same way John uses it in his Gospel. Just to save you some time the Gospel of John begins with εν αρχη (In the beginning.)

But to answer your question, I don't think that Protestantism is a moral wasteland of though and reason as you have indicated. I would point out that Protestantism has given birth to "decision theology." A concept that I and Martin Luther do/would not prescribe to. I do not agree that Martin Luther "de-Hellenize" Christianity but followed John and Paul's word in John 20:31 and Romans 10:17.

Can you provide proof that Martin Luther "de-Hellenize" Christianity? Although Martin Luther would have studied Greek thought, he was not a contemporary of Greek philosophers like the Apostles Paul and John. I would also like to point out that the New Testament of the Bible was written in Koine Greek (the street Greek) and not Attic Greek (classical Greek). Martin Luther was also quoted as saying at the Diet of Worms, "Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen." Notice his use of "Plain Reason."

Answer 2

Greek thought provided the language with which Christians learned to think abstractly about the faith. Without it, there'd be no theology. It helped us see more deeply into the nature of what was revealed in Christ. Sure, sometimes it went too far -- for example, Christian ethics has sometimes historically looked more like stoic ethics than New Testament ethics. But this danger is unavoidable. It's in the character of Christian faith to encounter the thought-forms of people in every land in which it establishes itself -- and to be transformed by those thought-forms while filling them with the divine kind of life given by Jesus.

The attempt to de-hellenize Christianity will always fail, though attempts to do it can sometimes help to bring about a renewed encounter with the Jesus of the Bible when Greek ways of thinking have tended to make people forget the beauty of the God-man himself. But there's ultimately no turning back. Our thought as Christians -- and as Westerners -- has been decisively shaped by Greek thought. Even attempts to get rid of it can only occur by using it, paradoxical as that may sound.

Answer 3

You might be interested in Karen Armstrong's book "The History of God".

She writes about this melding of Greek Philosophy and early Christian thinking. They coexist today because they were combined early on.

Answer 4

It has coexisted for the last 2000 years. And it will continue to until Christianity is in it's death throes like Greek paganism was relegated to myths...

Answer 5

when it comes to Greek, the name of jesus is founded on the greek language. So when we read the bible there is a majority of greek influence in tradition and translation.
remember the bible is not completely translated from Source documents.
Some greek mythology is completely erroneous
but there are paralell doctrines of rightreousness.

sigh.

Answer 6

I think that any philosophy can co-exist with Christianity. Philosophy after all , is educated thought. Christianity is really such a broad term.

Answer 7

It did and still does - St Thomas Aquinas combined Aristotle with Christian philiosophy

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

All true philosophies co-exist with true religions because they originate from religions. Religions are lessons of the One True God, philosophies are interpretations of men. The perfect philosophy is called divine philosophy.

Answer 10

I don't see why not. Greek philosophy was always independent of theology. It's a worthwhile field of study if you approach with your mind wide open.

It shouldn't threaten your faith.