Hellenisation of Christianity and Christianisation of Hellenism. A philosophical perspective

Abstract

The issue of the Hellenization of Christianity has been widely debated, albeit not continuously, for at least two centuries now. This period has seen different positions confronting each other on whether or not it is appropriate to use philosophical, and specifically Greek categories in theological reflection. After a brief overview, the article aims to develop philosophical considerations in support of the legitimacy of using philosophical concepts in the framework of revealed faith. Secondly, the mirror image of the initial theme is addressed, namely the Christianization of Hellenism, whereby Christianity is said to have introduced decisive content for the full completion of philosophical inquiry. In this regard, it will be argued how philosophy could have arrived at its internal rigorization on its own, although history took a different path.