The Rise Of Christianity

The rise of Christianity in philosophy

One influential cult was based upon a mystical interpretation of Plato. Neo-Platonism was like a rational science that attempted to break down and describe every aspect of the divine essence and its relationship with the human soul. An Alexandrian Jew named Philo tried using Greek philosophy to interpret the Jewish scriptures. He wanted to unite the two traditions by suggesting that the Greek philosophers had been inspired by the same God who had revealed himself to the Jews.

But only Christianity had the right combination of ingredients to appeal to both the masses and also eventually the ruling elite. Based on ancient scriptures, with a solid creation myth, its own collection of inspired writings, a convincing story about the appearance of God as a man (e.g. Jesus), a morality based upon personal maturity rather than harsh punishment, role models for both men and women, and a good organizational structure. Christianity was destined to grow to become the dominant religion. Greek philosophy was eventually extinguished by the hostility of Christianity towards other beliefs. Many of the followers of Greek philosophy were forced to move to Syria and other eastern countries to escape persecution by the Christian authorities. Many of the books they carried with them were translated into other languages. It would not be until the crusades, almost one thousand years later that Greek philosophy would be rediscovered by the Greek and Roman worlds.

An early Church father, Augustine knew that Christianity was not compatible with science. For Christians, there was no need for new discoveries. Everything that mankind would ever need to know about God, nature, or humanity was to be found in the...

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...d 330 BC. The teachings and beliefs of both the Greeks and the Romans posed a threat the Judaism belief system. All of Jesus' teachings were based solely on the Law. During the time of the Roman occupation, the Christian movement found it's way back into Rome and Greece, primarily through Saul of Tarsus (who re-named himself Paul the Apostle). Saul was a Jewish Pharisee who was converted to Christianity by a vision from God. The Chrisitan philosophy was summarized by Jesus himself when He said "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." and "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." (Matt. 22:37, 39)

Sources Cited

http://www.evolutionary-metaphysics.net/ancient_greek_philosophy.html

http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/What_principle_Christianized_philosophical_issues

http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/B078