Early Christian Thought and the Classical Tradition (Paperback)

~ Henry Chadwick (Author) "In a famous passage of high rhetoric Tertullian puts a question that has reverberated down the centuries in the history of Western thought..." (more)
Key Phrases: Old Testament, New Testament, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

`silkful characterizations and brilliant exposition which one finds everywhere' Journal of Theological Studies

Product Description

This enlightening study examines the relationship of the early Christians to the classical tradition. Based on the work of the Christian thinkers, Justine, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen, and existing pagan criticism of the Church, the book illustrates how rejection of the classical tradition combined with profound acceptance of its humanism were synthesized by the early Church.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 26, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198266731
• ISBN-13: 978-0198266730
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #825,934 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clear and concise introduction to early Christianity, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This little gem by Henry Chadwick is a clear and concise introduction to three early Christian thinkers who addressed the question of how Christianity should interact with philosophy: Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen. All three were optimistic about the project of stating Christian faith in terms of the philosophy dominant in their culture. Chadwick's knowledge of the period is both wide and deep, but these essays assume little or no prior knowledge on the part of the reader. They are a lucid and informative introduction to a question which continues to trouble many thoughtful people of faith.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice introduction, but what happened to the price?!, October 21, 2006

By	Bo K. (California!!!) - See all my reviews

I bought this little paper back book in 1996 for about 14 dollars. I think $55 is a little steep for this brief series of lectures on the influence of Greek and Platonic thought on three early Apologists of the Catholic faith, Justin Martyr, Origen and Clement.

Chadwick's lectures herein are a clear and concise intro into the relationship between human capacity to understand God by way of Reason, as well as the Church's call for faith in the Revealed religion.

As many modern "fundamentalists" make the mistake of arguing that Reason and logic have no place in Christianity, and that people should instead rely completely on blind faith, it becomes important to recognize that the early Church found Greek ethics to be a perfectly compatble part of its theology. Not the ONLY part, but an important part to be sure.

It is out of this early connection that we have the growth of the concept of Natural law, which claims that humans are equipped with Reason in order to clearly understand the elements of which the good and ethical life consists, regardless of the nature of a person's faith.

THis book is a quick read, as it is based upon some lectures Chadwick gave at Oxford in the early 60's. It is not particularly comprehensive. Thus, for $55, I must recommend getting this book at the library, and spending that $55 on another book, like John Finnis' "Natural law and natural rights." Plus a little left over!

1 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible, April 1, 2006

By	Scholaria - See all my reviews

Contains little that is of value and is instead a long list of names of scholars which probably know much more than the author, along with little if any explanation of their work. Avoid at all costs if at all possible.