Exploring the Neo-Platonic Influence on Christianity: A Critical Analysis
No question about it, Neo-Platonists like Porphyry, Iamblichus, and Plotinus had a profound effect on the early church, particularly on the Gnostics. Middle Platonists like Plutarch and Philo, along with Stoics like Seneca and Rabbinic scholars such as Rabbi Hillel the Elder, often found their teachings and philosophies incorporated by the gospel writers. The teachings and writings of these philosophers greatly influenced the early Christian doctrines and the teachings of Jesus.
Is Christianity a Neo-Platonic School of Thought?
A common assertion is that Neo-Platonism had a strong influence on early Christianity. While this is certainly true, it is important to note that Neo-Platonism is not the only philosophical framework that Christianity has engaged with throughout its historical development. In the High Middle Ages, Christian thinkers were heavily influenced by Aristotelianism. In the modern period, Christian philosophers have also delved into existentialism, empiricism, and other contemporary philosophies.
An Abstract Principle with Concrete Embodiment
The most obviously Platonistic feature of Christianity is evident at the beginning of the Gospel of John, where Christ is identified with God's Word or Wisdom (Logos), which is active in the world. However, this abstract principle is given a very concrete and specific form: a person who walked around preaching, got crucified, and then experienced a resurrection. This radical concretization of an abstract concept sets Christianity apart from other philosophical traditions.
Christianity: Specificity Amidst Abrahamic Religions
Christianity is neither generic nor universally applicable; instead, it is remarkable for its specificities, even among Abrahamic religions:
Original sin is a unique Christian concept that is not found in other religions. Salvation through a specific incarnation of God as Lord and Savior is unique to Christianity. A very specific set of rules must be followed to ensure salvation.While the early Christian congregation did not adhere to these specific lines of thought, by around 325 AD, when Christianity was forcibly merged with other pagan faiths, including Greek, many of these religious and philosophical teachings were absorbed. Concepts such as the immortality of the soul, the doctrine of hellfire, and the trinity are prime examples of this synthesis.
Conclusion
The influence of Neo-Platonism on early Christianity is undeniable. However, it is crucial to recognize the broader philosophical landscape within which Christianity developed and evolved. Through critical analysis, we can better understand the complex interplay of ideas that have shaped Christian beliefs and practices over the centuries.