ABSTRACT

The attitude of early Christian thinkers towards philosophy is marked by an apparent contradiction. Like the sceptics, early Christian thinkers consider the Hellenic tradition of philosophy a failure, but they endorse the aim of that tradition, which is the pursuit of the truth and achievement of wisdom; and for this reason they claim that they do philosophy and do it quite successfully. The dualism with regard to philosophy described above is prevalent in the work of Christian thinkers such as Tatian and Tertullian, who are particularly critical of Hellenic philosophy. Christians repeat an argument originally advanced by ancient sceptics. The idea that Christianity is the revelation of Logos surfaces in the work of the earliest Christian philosopher, Justin. The idea that Hellenic philosophy is imperfect but nonetheless functions as preparation for the manifestation of the Logos in Christianity permeates Eusebius’ voluminous Preparation for the Gospel.