Christianity as Philosophy

Problems and Perspectives of an Ancient Intellectual Project

Bibliographic Data

ID4735868
AuthorsWinrich Löhr (Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Wissenschaftlich-Theologisches Seminar Kisselgasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany, Email: [email protected], corresponding author)
Year2010
Volume64
Issue2
Pages160-188
Publication date2010-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueVigiliae Christianae (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0042-6032 • E-ISSN: 1570-0720
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1163/157007209x453331
OpenAlexW2024948123
LanguageEN
Citations received10

The article explores the profile, context and consequences of Christianity's self definition as a philosophy in the ancient world. It proposes a distinction between, on the one hand, the practice of teaching philosophy in small Christian schools, and, on the other hand, an intellectual discourse that proclaimed Christianity as the true and superior philosophy. It is argued that Christianity's self definition as a philosophy should not be viewed as merely an accommodation to an intellectual fashion. It is shown how Christianity could be understood and practised as a philosophy in the ancient sense of the word. However, as a philosophical practice Christianity underwent a transformation in the 4th century which prevented the emergence of a late antique Christian scholasticism and gave rise to new combinations of Christianity and non-Christian philosophy

Ancient philosophy · Antique · Archaeology · Christianity · Context (archaeology) · Eastern philosophy · Epistemology · Modern philosophy · Philosophy education · Scholasticism · Western philosophy · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Classical Philosophy and Thought · History · Philosophy · Religious studies · Religious, Philosophical, and Educational Studies

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