When Athens Met Jerusalem: An Introduction to Classical and Christian Thought

by John Mark Reynolds

Christian theology shaped and is shaping many places in the world, but it was the Greeks who originally gave a philosophic language to Christianity. John Mark Reynolds's book When Athens Met Jerusalem provides students a well-informed introduction to the intellectual underpinnings (Greek, Roman and Christian) of Western civilization and highlights how certain current intellectual trends are now eroding those very foundations. This work makes a powerful contribution to the ongoing faith versus reason debate, showing that these two dimensions of human knowing are not diametrically opposed, but work together under the direction of revelation.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Christianity, Christian, History, Religion, Christian History

266 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

Dr. John Mark Reynolds is the President of The Saint Constantine School and Saint Constantine College.

Prior to founding Saint Constantine, Reynolds was the Provost of Houston Baptist University. While there, Reynolds helped start several academic initiatives including a cinema department and a graduate apologetics program.

Dr. Reynolds was founder and director of the Torrey Honors Institute, and Professor of Philosophy at Biola University. The Torrey Honors Institute is an exemplary liberal arts and biblical studies program that utilizes the Great Books and Socratic dialogue educational models.

Dr. Reynolds holds an MA and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Rochester where he concentrated in philosophy of religion, ancient philosophy, and epistemology. He graduated with honors from Roberts Wesleyan University and earned a Bible diploma from Elim Bible Institute.

Reviews

[Ross Blocher · Rating 1 out of 5]

My Christian sister lent this book to me, I suppose, as a way to demonstrate the relationship between faith and reason. I was expecting, or at least hoping for, a scholarly history of the development of Christianity and how it was affected by classical Greek and Roman thought, which would have been very interesting. Instead, it was full of the author's personal reviews of various thinkers, particularly Aristotle, Plato and Socrates. He offered critiques of their ideas, judging them directly against his own personal 21st century Christian faith, writing them off for various ideas that don't match up to his reading of scriptures. I grew to distrust his representations of classical thought, as he couldn't seem to present them without comparing them to his own religious philosophy, lamenting that they only lacked the special revelation that was given to "Jerusalem". While the ideas of these philosophers are important to the development of human thought and are worth studying for their role as giants upon whose shoulders we stand, his suggestion that we continue to debate their philosophy in our current discourse is patently absurd. He would gladly take us back thousands of years in our progress, and writes off the modern, secular philosophical and scientific advancements that he clearly doesn't understand very well. His bald critiques of "atheistic materialism" and evolution are particularly damning, and place him within a fringe group of committed religious authors (Johnson, Strobel, Dembski, etc.) whose thinking is divorced from decades of well-supported progress.

[J. Wootton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seriously misrepresents itself.

The title, subtitle, back cover copy, and introduction strongly imply (arguably claim outright) that this book traces the confluence of Second Temple Judaism with classical Greek and Roman philosophy and culture to form Christianity: a study that would be utterly fascinating, truly astonishing to condense into a popular-audience read a few hundred pages long, and absolutely should be written if it doesn't exist already.

When Athens Met Jerusalem is not that book. Instead, it turns out to be a basic introduction to Classical philosophy for Christians (especially conservative Christians) whose education did not include much background in the history of Western thought. Considered as such, it's not too bad; I'm not sure the world needed another such book, and Reynolds' style is underwhelming (his scattered attempts at examples from pop culture are particularly wince-worthy).

On the whole the book felt like a recompilation and editing of teaching notes from a survey class. Again, not bad: I would have given it 3 stars, if the book had been honest about what it was doing. As it is I must cry caveat lector.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: The Christian message advanced in a Greco-Roman World prepared in many ways by both the failure of the Homeric gods and the classic philosophers. This book explores the intellectual antecedents to the gospel in pre-Socratic, Socratic, Platonic and Aristotelian thought, culminating when Jerusalem meets Athens when Paul preaches on Mars Hill.

In the third century, the Christian Tertullian asked the questions, "What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the Academy and the Church? what between heretics and Christians?" For many Christians, this has been the last word on the matter and they have decided there is little or nothing of value in studying the Greek philosophers of the Classical tradition preceding the advent of Christianity.

John Mark Reynolds would argue to the contrary pointing out both how Greek philosophy prepared the way for the gospel as it groped for something beyond the gods of Homer and tried to explain why there is cosmos rather than chaos. It gave us the humility of wisdom in Socrates who knew that he didn't know. It gave us the dilemma of the cave and the question of what is the really real. It gave us the Aristotelian mean in ethics and the cultivation of virtue. And yet it failed to deliver Greece from the power hungry Alexander, the decay of its civilization, its lapse back into pagan deities and gnostic mysteries that failed to illumine and give hope. It prepared the way for the Apostle Paul to appear on Mars Hill to speak of the "unknown God" who has revealed himself scandalously in the resurrection of his son.

The book is a useful and sympathetic survey of classical thought. Reynolds begins with the pre-Socratic philosophers in chapter 1, Socrates in chapter 2, Plato in chapters 3-7, Aristotle, the pupil of Plato in chapters 8 and 9, and finishes with the neo-Platonists, Epicureans, and Stoics in chapter 10. The end of chapter ten concludes with the preaching of Paul addressing a culture, prepared by this lineage.

If I had any criticism, it would be that this book is long on Athens and short on Jerusalem. Perhaps Reynolds felt that this is all he could do in a book of this length. Yet it seems that the whole book intentionally builds toward the intersection of Athens and Jerusalem. Reynolds spoke of giving us a whirlwind tour through the classical Greeks. I think he could possibly have given us a tighter summary and explored more of the engagement between Greek philosophy and Christian theology. Clearly this has shaped Western Christianity to the present, but the shape and critique of that engagement is sparse in this book. It is clear that Reynolds is more favorable to the Greek philosophers than either Tertullian or many moderns. Perhaps it is because he so loves his subject matter of the Greek philosophers. A more in depth discussion of that engagement could have been a valuable contribution.

This is a useful secondary text for students, particularly Christian students, reading the classics. Reynolds provides helpful context and commentary and helps show the relevance of the questions these philosophers were asking as well as the thought world Christians encountered as the gospel established a beachhead in Europe during the missionary journeys of Paul. It also serves as a helpful review for some of us who read these classics many years ago and need a "brush up."

[Zak Schmoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

In order to understand the foundations of Western thought, one must understand both Athens and Jerusalem. If you want to know where you are, it is helpful to know where you were and how you progressed from where you were to your current location. This book begins before Socrates and shows how the Greek tradition progressed, perhaps as far as possible without divine revelation. Then, in an epic climax, Jerusalem and Athens met on Mars Hill with the apostle Paul, showing how Christianity in fact was able to account for the best in Greek philosophy while replacing its many shortcomings. This is a valuable introduction to philosophy and is recommended.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the foundations of Western Thought. Told in a narrative from the Pre-Socratics through Paul's sermon on Mars Hill. Can't substitute for real study, but provides a very plausible framework to start with. The title is a little misleading because I expected a more equal treatment of the interaction between Christianity and Philosophy, but 90% of the content is an exposition of philosophy, albeit with an eye toward the Christian perspective. The culmination is a brief but shining case for why current culture needs to reinvigorate Philosophy.

It's a good read.

[Jonathan Washburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why does Jerusalem (Christianity) need Athens (Greek Philosophy)? John Mark Reynolds explains.
Athens benefits Jerusalem, simply, because the two cities are indivisible. Many Christians fail to understand the importance of philosophy, and often demean its place via a pious emphasis on sola Scriptura. Yet, one cannot escape philosophy. Christians that try invariably wind up philosophizing poorly. A Christianity built upon bad philosophy “becomes a bit crazy.”[1]
The total truth of Christianity might tempt one to ignore the ancient Greek philosophers, but he has been commanded to love his God with all his mind. “God has not seen fit to give Jerusalem a complete guide to everything…. There is still a vital role for philosophy.”[2] The truth of Scripture will illuminate falsehoods and enable the Christian to see through “hollow and deceptive philosophy.”[3] The Christian need not fear Athens. A proper understanding of the ancient Greek city will unleash Christianity in all its power.
For the Christian, Plato and his work represent both the pinnacle of Athenian thought, and its impotence without Jerusalem. One cannot read Plato without considering Romans 1: general revelation can convince someone of God’s existence (the Good), but it is futile for salvation without the special revelation that comes through Christ and His Word.
Plato was able to postulate immaterial souls, the existence of moral virtues, and even the creation of the universe. He illuminated the Sophist’s misunderstanding of love, justice, and wisdom while defending the validity of his teacher’s (Socrates) methods. Plato’s humble dialog provides a template for Christians to effectively communicate in today’s pluralistic society. “It is important to persuade people in a language they can understand.”[4]
The Pax Romana prepared the world, politically, for the radical expansion of Christianity. However, it was Greek philosophy which prepared the world to intellectually receive the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Hellenistic philosophers were open to other belief systems, and they were free to challenge the accepted customs and ideologies, so long that they did not disturb the popular paganism of the common man. This openness enabled Paul to beautifully communicate the Christian message to the Stoics and Epicureans at Mars Hill.[5] Rather than angrily rebuff his ideas, the Greeks eagerly listened, and many accepted its truth. Many Platonic ideas – the immortality of the soul, the existence of the logos and the good, and the search for real answers – were firmly entrenched into society by the time Jesus Christ came and died for sinners. A proper understanding of philosophy was effectual in the articulation the Trinity, Christ’s Deity, and many important Christian doctrines. The love of wisdom should not be exclusive to the ancient Greeks; today’s Christians must continue the work in philosophy that is so vital to the Christian heritage.[6]

I would recommend this book to anyone that wanted a concise, yet thorough introduction of Greek philosophy from Thales to Aristotle. I would highly recommend this book to Christians that are interested in the integration of philosophy and theology.

_______________

[1] When Athens Met Jerusalem, 19.

[2] Ibid, 253.

[3] Colossians 2:8.

[4] When Athens Met Jerusalem, 250.

[5] Acts 17.

[6] When Athens Met Jerusalem, 22.

[Mick Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘When Athens Met Jerusalem: An Introduction to Classical & Christian Thought’ (2009) by John Mark Reynolds, is a good review of Greek Philosophy if you have not been an undergrad like myself for some 45 years. In my writing a response to Rod Dreher’s ‘Benedict Option’ I have come to know a plethora of options, projects, corollaries, etc. one being the Constantine Project. John Mark Reynolds put forth the St Constantine Project, or the Constantine Strategy in the Benedict Option. In reading up on this Project/Strategy I learned of Reynolds book.

[Will Dole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful introduction to the Greek Philosophers, meatier than Sproul's Consequences of Ideas, though obviously limited to a narrower timeframe.

Not always clearly organized, which made moving quickly to grab the big ideas difficult. I will probably come back through at a slower pace at a later date, but my precis paper was due. Such is life. But this a valuable introductory work, and removed some of my hesitation toward jumping into Plato and Aristotle directly.

[J.J. Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best insights in this work reside in the first half of the book. At times it feels Reynolds is just explaining the analyzed authors views, which gets a little dry. Yet his insights, on how they connect to his overall thesis make this book a worthwhile read.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and helpful introduction. The section on Paul on Mars Hill is worth rereading.

[William Brown]

Enjoyed it. Good, very basic intro to Greek thought showing it's influence on Christianity and Christendom.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great help for someone like me, who has had little exposure to ancient philosophy. As an introduction, it offers a necessarily simplified look at the pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle and is no substitute for reading the real stuff. I now feel a little better equipped to do so, though Dr. Reynolds makes it clear (and I'm sure his students, like my husband, could attest) that such reading is best done in intellectual community. The major disappointment for me was that early Christian thought is only discussed occasionally and in brief. I guess the reader is expected to be able to make the connections herself, and I do have a better understanding, now, of the situation of Christianity within the ancient marketplace of ideas. Still, I was left almost expecting (and certainly wanting) a sequel.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title was a bit misleading to me. I was hoping/expecting more along the lines of an examination of how the early Christian thinkers interacted with Greek thought and philosophy. There was some of that, but it was minimal. Chiefly Reynolds provides a survey of Greek thought from the era of pre-Socratic thought through Aristotle, and up to the time of Paul's sermon on the Areopogas in the first century. Primarily it seems Reynolds chief aim was to provide the Greco-Roman backdrop into which Christianity was born and with which Christianity needed to interface, and to show how Christianity utilized some of the concepts of Hellenistic philosophy while rejecting others. In those respects the book is useful and informative, though necessarily sketchy, as Reynolds acknowledges. For someone minimally acquainted with the issues, this book would be a good primer.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at Greek philosophy from a Christian perspective. I would recommend it as an introduction to Greek philosophy for someone who is unfamiliar with it, or as a means to gain a Christian perspective on such philosophy. Having had the privilege to study many of the original texts in college, I would say that this type of study will provide far more insight than the author of this book does, a fact which he readily admits. However, the book is quite helpful by means of introduction to ideas and concepts with which the reader may not be familiar.

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Athens Met Jerusalem overviews the development of philosophy from Hesiod and Homer through Socrates, Plato and Aristotle on up to the first century A. D. Most of the book overviews the writings of Plato and Aristotle. Overall, this is a helpful book for understanding how Greek thought developed, especially as it relates to morality and theology.

[Tina Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not the book I was expecting to read--it is an overview of Athenian philosophical thought up to the time of the Apostle Paul's address on the Areopagus. It's been a long time since Intro to Philosophy, and it helped me to see the relationship between philosophy and Christianity. Readable and interesting.

[Keith Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good review of classical thought. It starts with Homer and then hits the big 3: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Through in Epicureans and Stoics and you've hit the high points. The book closes with Paul's address at Mars Hill and explains how it deals with Greek thought. Really good for your non-experts.

[Kristen Stieffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've studied philosophy before, and religion. This is the first book I've read that brings the two together. It's been highlighted more than just about anything I've read. There's so much in this book I feel I haven't quite absorbed it all. Definitely warrants a second read.

[wyclif]

Worthwhile, or pass?

[Jake]

Helpful book for giving an introduction to Greek philosophy and how it links up with Christian thought.

[Curby Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to classical thought and how Greek philosophy was ultimately answered in the person of Christ.