Philosophy in Christian Antiquity / Edition 1

by Christopher Stead

Overview

Christianity began as a little-known Jewish sect, but rose within 300 years to dominate the civilized world. It owed its rise in part to inspired moral leadership, but also to its success in assimilating, criticizing and developing the philosophies of the day. This book, which is written for nonspecialist readers, provides a concise conspectus of the emergence of philosophy among the Greeks, an account of its continuance in early Christian times, and its influence on early Christian thought, especially in formulating the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521469555
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/24/1994
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword; List of abbreviations; Part I. The Philosophical Background; 1. From the beginnings to Socrates; 2. Socrates and the Platonic forms; 3. The philosophy of Plato's maturity; 4. Aristotle; 5. Epicurus and the Stoics; 6. The Middle Platonists and Philo of Alexandria; 7. The philosophy of late antiquity; Part II. The Use of Philosophy in Christian Theology: 8. The debate about Christian philosophy; 9. Greek and Hebrew conceptions of God; 10. Proofs of God's existence; 11. God as simple, unchanging being; 12. How God is described; 13. Logos and Spirit; 14. Unity of substance; 15. Substance and persons; 16. Christ as God and man; 17. Two natures united; PART III. Augustine: 18. Philosophy, faith and knowledge; 19. Freedom and goodness; Bibliography; Indexes.

Editorial Reviews

"Stead's exposition is lucid and nontechnical, drawing on a remarkable breadth of historical knowledge." Choice

"...Stead's work has always stood out for its conceptual rigor and nuanced understanding of classical philosophy." John Peter Kenney, Journal of Religion

From the Publisher