Talk:Neoplatonism and Christianity

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[edit] Discussion: Should this article be merged with Hellenistic Philosophy and Christianity?

No, I think the articles should remain separate. The influence of Hellenistic philosophy on Christian theology can be properly divided into two parts. First is the influence of Middle Platonism, Stoicism, and perhaps Pre-Socratic philosophy on Christian theology of the first three centuries A.D. (e.g., on St. Justin, St. Clement of Alexandria, Origen, St. Gregory of Nyssa -- and perhaps earlier, even on the writers of the Gospels).

Neoplatonism is a later development, with a different relationship with Christianity. By the time of Proclus, who influenced Pseudo-Dionysius, the relationship of Neoplatonism and Christianity is complex: while Neoplatonism is influencing Christianity, it also seems true that Christianity is influencing Neoplatonism. For example, the theurgical emphasis of Iamblichus and Proclus is sometimes interpreted as a pagan response to the well-developed liturgical practices of Christianity.

A further argument for keeping the articles separate is that Neoplatonism has continued to evolve since Late Antiquity. There were many influential Christian Neoplatonists in the Renaissance (e.g., Marsilio Ficino). There are even modern Christian Neoplatonist philosophers. It is questionable whether these later Neoplatonists can accurately be called "Hellenistic philosophers."

Practical321 (talk) 12:33, 13 April 2008 (UTC)