How Greek Philosophy Corrupted the Christian Concept of God

[Big_Dummy]

Ok the title of this thread is a LDS title. And, that book claims that the Christian concept of God comes from Greek Philosphy. And, yet when I read Greek authors and their concepts of God, I think of Mormonism.

Can you all with me think of parallels between Mormonism and Greek Philosphy?

Some Unanswered Questions Regarding the Mormon Worldview

Last Revised August 16, 1993 © 1993 By Jack Kettler

Abstract

This thesis argues that Mormonism is in essential agreement with ancient pagan thought in a number of crucial
areas. Ancient philosophers are quoted along with representative Mormon authorities. Minimal comments are
made because the parallels are obvious. This thesis is of a polemical nature. The goal is to challenge Mormon
leaders, and in particular Brigham Young University faculty members to engage in serious interaction with
conservative biblical scholarship.

undergroundnotes.com/some_unanswered_questions_regard.htm

 

[Acapiteadcalcem]

Hi Big Dummy;

I would strongly advise against demonising Greek philosophy, which is has contributed a great deal to Christian thinking. Evangelical postmodernism is bent trying to demonstrate a ‘poisoning’ of Christian thought through its association with Greek philosophy; but philosophy is a work of reason, which is indicative of our being made in God’s image.

Pope Benedict’s famous Regensburg speech addresses this issue. Here’s a snippet:

“I believe that here we can see the profound harmony between what is Greek in the best sense of the word and the biblical understanding of faith in God. Modifying the first verse of the Book of Genesis, the first verse of the whole Bible, John began the prologue of his Gospel with the words: “In the beginning was the λόγος”. This is the very word used by the emperor: God acts, σὺν λόγω, with logos. Logos means both reason and word - a reason which is creative and capable of self-communication, precisely as reason.”
You can read the rest of the address here:
zenit.org/article-16955?l=english

That said by way of preamble, I should just add that our “concept of God” is not *derived *from philosophy, Greek or otherwise. Our concept of God is based, in the first instance, on the Word of God found in Sacred Scripture, then brought to life and experience through the person of Jesus Christ. As such, God is not a concept, but is living encounter for, with and in us. But philosophy–including Greek philosophy–can and does continue to help us explore this experience and what it means. Philosophy is the handmaid of theology.

Hope this helps.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Hi Big Dummy;

I would strongly advise against demonising Greek philosophy, which is has contributed a great deal to Christian thinking. Evangelical postmodernism is bent trying to demonstrate a ‘poisoning’ of Christian thought through its association with Greek philosophy; but philosophy is a work of reason, which is indicative of our being made in God’s image.

Pope Benedict’s famous Regensburg speech addresses this issue. Here’s a snippet:

“I believe that here we can see the profound harmony between what is Greek in the best sense of the word and the biblical understanding of faith in God. Modifying the first verse of the Book of Genesis, the first verse of the whole Bible, John began the prologue of his Gospel with the words: “In the beginning was the λόγος”. This is the very word used by the emperor: God acts, σὺν λόγω, with logos. Logos means both reason and word - a reason which is creative and capable of self-communication, precisely as reason.”
You can read the rest of the address here:
zenit.org/article-16955?l=english

That said by way of preamble, I should just add that our “concept of God” is not *derived *from philosophy, Greek or otherwise. Our concept of God is based, in the first instance, on the Word of God found in Sacred Scripture, then brought to life and experience through the person of Jesus Christ. As such, God is not a concept, but is living encounter for, with and in us. But philosophy–including Greek philosophy–can and does continue to help us explore this experience and what it means. Philosophy is the handmaid of theology.

Hope this helps.

Excellent post, thanks.

 

[Big_Dummy]

So, you admit Catholic doctrine is based on pagan philosphies? :coolinoff:

The purpose of this thread is to show how LDS concept of God is based on Romance of the Gods and that Christian concept of God is NOT based on such.

This has nothing to do with positive aspects of philosphy like rules of logic for example.

 

[thedarknight]

So, you admit Catholic doctrine is based on pagan philosphies? :coolinoff:

You might be interested in reading Blessed Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio as he speaks of the relationship of philosophy and theology and how philosophy needs to save itself from collapsing (by post-modernism and relativism).

But I suggest focusing on paragraphs 36-44 of Fidest et Ratio in answering your question:thumbsup:

And here’s an excerpt, paragraph 38:

Similarly, Clement of Alexandria called the Gospel “the true philosophy”,(33) and he understood philosophy, like the Mosaic Law, as instruction which prepared for Christian faith (34) and paved the way for the Gospel.(35) Since “philosophy yearns for the wisdom which consists in rightness of soul and speech and in purity of life, it is well disposed towards wisdom and does all it can to acquire it. We call philosophers those who love the wisdom that is creator and mistress of all things, that is knowledge of the Son of God”.(36) For Clement, Greek philosophy is not meant in the first place to bolster and complete Christian truth. Its task is rather the defence of the faith: “The teaching of the Saviour is perfect in itself and has no need of support, because it is the strength and the wisdom of God. Greek philosophy, with its contribution, does not strengthen truth; but, in rendering the attack of sophistry impotent and in disarming those who betray truth and wage war upon it, Greek philosophy is rightly called the hedge and the protective wall around the vineyard”.(37) [emphasis mine]

 

[Big_Dummy]

welcome dark knight and thanks.

Have you read anything about the Mormon concepts of God?

Do they not remind you of the romance of the gods?

 

[Cristiano]

So, you admit Catholic doctrine is based on pagan philosphies? :coolinoff:

The purpose of this thread is to show how LDS concept of God is based on Romance of the Gods and that Christian concept of God is NOT based on such.

This has nothing to do with positive aspects of philosphy like rules of logic for example.

I think that the point is that some of what you call pagan philosophies are based on the same bases on which Christianity is based upon. Aristotle started to talk about natural law well before Christianity and Christian philosophers existed. Natural law is given to everybody by God. God gave us Christianity and not vice versa. God came first, religiosity came immediately after the creation of man, and Christianity came immediately after God sent His only Son to die for us.

 

[Acapiteadcalcem]

So, you admit Catholic doctrine is based on pagan philosphies? :coolinoff:

I didn’t say any such thing. Might I suggest you read my post for content?

Many thanks.

 

[acarlson]

I think that the point is that some of what you call pagan philosophies are based on the same bases on which Christianity is based upon. Aristotle started to talk about natural law well before Christianity and Christian philosophers existed. Natural law is given to everybody by God. God gave us Christianity and not vice versa. God came first, religiosity came immediately after the creation of man, and Christianity came immediately after God sent His only Son to die for us.

Exactly! Besides, we’re all human, made in the image of God. There’s some things that we know are innately right or wrong because of it. There’s nothing wrong with “adopting” pagan philosophy so long as it is true. I know St. Thomas Aquinas learned a lot from Greek philosophy (even if he disagreed with it).