The first noticeable Christian philosopher was Augustine of Hippo. He studied philosophy and rejected faith, perhaps even delving into the Persian religion of Manichaeism for a duration. However, as he led a thorough study of Greek philosophy, the teachings of Plato, and ‘Neo-Platonism’ taught by Plotinus, he converted to religion and most of his faith and philosophy became interconnected. He held the thought that not only do faith – as in religion, and reason – as in philosophy, remain compatible but they are also complementary. He suggested that Christianity could integrate with Plato’s philosophy in order to provide a rational groundwork for its theology without challenging its core beliefs. It was during the Roman Empires’ rise and adoption of Christianity as their official religion when he preached most of his philosophy and in his book The City of God, explained how humans belong to the material world as well as the eternal world of the kingdom of God, an idea that originated from Platonism. He later came to be known as Saint, since in Roman Catholicism he was formally recognized as a doctor of the Church.
Introduction
How do we really define Philosophy? The Greek word φιλοσοφία – Philosophia. Or as the term has been coined by modern Western language – Philosophy. The literal meaning of this word is relatively static. Derived from its Greek origin it comprises two separate words...
