Theology and Science in the Epoch of the Church Fathers

Abstract

The European concept of reason was based on the Greek notion of rationality, but we inherited this notion only after it had undergone substantial transformation by the great adventure of the encounter of Greek philosophy with Christian theology. Greek philosophy entered into the very foundations of Christian theology and shaped it, as it were, from inside. However, early Christians read their Bible with heads full of Greek wisdom. Christian theology arose out of this dialogue. The entire Patristic period consisted of a continuous process of transforming Greek philosophy into Christian theology. Two great personalities played an important role in this process: Origen and St. Augustine. The most revolutionary change that Christianity introduced into Greek cosmology was the doctrine on creation. In the Patristic period three attitudes dominated: the first was shaped by pagan cosmic religions, with an admixture of Pythagorean, Platonic, Aristotelian and Stoic elements. It contemplated in nature a manifestation of the deity. The second attitude was influenced by Gnostic views. The cosmos was regarded as “the scene of disorder and sin, the product of evil forces.” The third attitude was a derivation of Platonic philosophy. It distinguished between the transcendental world of eternal forms and their imperfect replication in the material cosmos. Christian theology, after a few initial hesitations, opted for the Platonic attitude. This choice saved Greek science for our culture.