How did Aristotle's philosophy effect Christian theology?

Answer 1

Greatly. Especially in Roman Catholicism. We would not have the term "transubstantiation" if it was not for a healthy dose of Aristotelian metaphysics. Also, although not entirely Aristotle's idea, the entire Greek idea of the Logos, as well as the term "anamnesis" (English = "remembrance") in the Eucharist.

Those are just for starters.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what Trinity Decoded is talking about...


Aristotelian philosophy was a looking glass through which people could try to interpret and comprehend the message of the Gospels. This perception became more popular in the West under early church theologians such as Thomas Aquinas. Likewise, Neo-Platonic approaches to early Patristic understanding of the Holy Scriptures was more common in the eastern churches, and even today is evident in Eastern Orthodox Christian theology and worldview.

This is a very complicated and comprehensive subject, and cannot be fully explained here...

Answer 3

In the New Testament there are many concepts used (such as "logos") which were developed and given their meaning by Greek philosophers, including Aristotle. His philosophy especially gave the Church the medium through which She could present Christian doctrine in a rational way. Case in point is the Summa Theologica.

Answer 4

I would not go so far as to say "destroyed". For the purpose of this discussion, I'd say it was integrated with Western Civilization for better or for worse.

If you are looking for a brief history on this subject, Daniel Boorstin's book "The Creators" describes the development of Christian theology from the 1st century AD throughout the Middle Ages. It is an interesting read. HTH

Answer 5

It forced Christian theologians to look again at their understanding of the natural world. Aristotle laid the foundations for a science-based approach to the study of nature.

Theologians would claim that although this was a new challenge, it did not alter the Christian faith fundamentally.

Malcolm, [e-mail]

Answer 6

The God of Christian orthodoxy is the very same Lord God of Hosts that the Hebrews recognize, with the twist that Christians identify Jesus of Nazareth as the Savior and Messiah foretold by the Old Testament prophets that the Hebrews don't. Hellenism influenced the early Christian Church in the sense that Greek was the lingua franca of the day. All of the New Testament documents were written in it. The early Church moreover relied upon the Greek Septuagint. Hellenism resonated also in the sense of the Greek emphasis upon the individual.

Answer 7

He and other Greek philosophers had a great influence. The concept of soul come from Aristotle. The idea of a perfect world outside of this one can be related to Socrates' idea of forms.

Answer 8

Really depends on who you ask.

There are some who believe Greek Philosophy corrupted Christianity and therefore those who incorporated it (Catholics, Orthodox, Oriental, and the Copts) are well.....

a.) on a charitable day: Misguided

b.) on a uncharitable day: Evil

On the flipside - some would say that Aristotlean Philosophy helped enrich the intellectual and spiritual life of those churches, giving them the vocabulary to express their doctrines.

Answer 9

Actually greek philosophy and science have destroyed christianity..Earlier when bible was in making people added these greek science and philosphy in bible which later was proven wrong. Thus church was in very bad position, something they claime to be from God was proven. This is the point at which conflict between christianity and science started,.

Answer 10

originally the church thought that he was an enemy of science,but in reality it was the exact opposite.

he was known to spend his life observing ,classifying and analyzing the world around him!
he had knowledge of logic(not christian)rhetoric,ethics,metaphysics,poetry and biology!

he had a false association with the churches!