ABSTRACT
But Christianity was not the only tradition in antiquity to appropriate classical ideas. The Islamic and Jewish traditions were also shaped, to some extent, by the works of Plato, Aristotle, and other ancient Greek thinkers as well as other classical beliefs, ideas, and experiences which emerged during this period of history. As Christianity expanded into new territories and was confronted with Judaism and Islam, fresh ideas and challenges arose for the Church. Thus, in order to understand medieval Christian thought, it is imperative to be acquainted with some of the central figures and ideas of these religious traditions during this formative historical period.
