Philosophy and Faith: Contrasting Views of Early Christian Apologists
Attitudes of Apologists Towards Philosophy
Attitudes of apologists in connection with philosophy, and representatives of each of them:
- Some (usually called Greek Fathers) have a welcoming attitude and respect towards philosophy, appreciating its effort to move closer to the truth (some even considered it a precursor of the Christian faith) and assuming part of its themes and vocabulary to explain their doctrine.
- In contrast, the attitude of others (and some Latin Fathers like Tertullian) is of rejection, concerned about safeguarding the purity of the Gospel message, emphasizing the radical incompatibility between philosophy and Christian revelation.
There are two attitudes that we see repeated throughout history and that, relatively speaking, should be recognized even today.
Justin Martyr (100-165 AD)
(See also L, p. 120, & 5) Born in Shechem (Samaria), ardently devoted to philosophy. He ran several schools, but none satisfied him. Upon discovering the Gospel, he found the answer to his desire for truth: the Gospel was, for him, the true philosophy. He focused then with all his strength to teach and defend it, traveling to several countries until he settled in Rome, where he created a school. He was an exemplary Christian and died for his faith. The Church venerates him as a saint. Justin represents the welcoming attitude towards philosophy. Following his acceptance of Christianity, he did not reject philosophy, but recognized that philosophy had come, through reason, to discover many truths. However, he contended that Christian faith is a form of superior knowledge, which reveals the fullness of truth and guarantees the authenticity of philosophical truths.
Tertullian (160-240 AD)
Born in Carthage, he converted to Christianity, becoming one of its strongest and most radical advocates. So much so that he joined the Montanists (a deviant sect of genuine Christianity) because the Church’s moral doctrine did not seem sufficiently rigorous. He represents the contrary attitude to philosophy. He despised the dominant ways of thinking in his time (Platonism, Stoicism…) and said that the ancient philosophers have nothing to offer before the truth revealed by Christ. For him, the only thing needed is the Gospel, and Socrates and Plato are only guides that lead to error. He famously said: “Credo quia absurdum” (I believe it because it is absurd), which establishes an irreconcilable antithesis between Christian faith and reason. (The Church considers this attitude wrong.)
Second or Express Lighting
The lighting or training derives from the first, and consists of the forms taken by each person to express and act. It is given differently in the bodies and minds:
Natural or Bodies
a) Natural or bodies is necessary. The physical numbers printed impose necessity, determinism. The material beings act according to necessary laws. The physical numbers printed necessarily cause physical numbers to express, i.e., they are the reason that the body is extended in order in space and time (e.g., being a horse is the reason that the horse looks like he has, and that he can trot, canter, scream, etc.). The beautiful forms and movements of the bodies are a sorted result and manifestation of the numbers that are printed and which govern all your actions.
Spiritual Beings
b) In the spiritual beings (such as the human soul) the ethical issues are not necessary. They regulate moral action, but are not determined. Therefore, the express lighting or training is free and personal, that is, may be given or not, depending on the positive or negative choice of the person.
Positive Option
1 / Positive Option: A positive choice Augustine called conversion (“turn inward”) because the man turns to his own nature, i.e., “is himself.” As she reaches enlightenment or training second, and becomes a creature formed and perfect. This is the case of the man who knows God with a true knowledge and loves him with a true love, and is therefore wise, happy, free and such a principle, which is God.
Negative Option
2 / Negative Option: On the negative option, instead, the flame aversion, because the man leaves his own nature, “is not himself.” With her man is deprived of education second, and becomes a deformed child. This is the case of the man who loves himself above God, and is therefore unfortunate, he is unknown to himself and God and lives away from their inception in the region of dissimilarity. You can, however, with the grace (help) of God, leave her in conformity with a new conversion is re-formed.