The Christian Mysticism Podcast What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?
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Feb 2, 2023 Dive into the fascinating interplay between Greek philosophy and early Christianity. Explore how figures like Tertullian questioned Hellenistic influences on Christian thought. Discover Neoplatonism's hierarchical view of reality and its correlations with Christian beliefs. Unpack Saint Augustine's transformative journey, merging spiritual quests with philosophical insights. This insightful discussion examines how ancient ideas shaped the essence of Christian mysticism, reflecting on the intricate connections between body, mind, and soul.
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Greek Influence on Early Christianity
- Greek culture, including philosophy, heavily influenced Jewish thought at Jesus' time, affecting early Christian development.
- Hellenism spread widely, thriving especially near Jerusalem, serving as a cultural and intellectual backdrop for early Christianity.
Structure Borrowed from Greek Philosophy
- Early Christian thinkers used Greek philosophical structures to explain Christianity.
- Tertullian questioned mixing reason (Athens) and revelation (Jerusalem), showing early tension on Greek influence.
Philosophical Roots of Christian Mysticism
- Mysticism often hinges on metaphysics (what is real) and epistemology (how we know).
- Greek philosophy developed sophisticated ideas in these areas, deeply influencing Christian mysticism's understanding.