Early Christianity and Greek Paidea (Revised)

by Werner Wilhelm Jaeger

Book Overview

This small book, the last work of a world-renowned scholar, has established itself as a classic. It provides a superb overview of the vast historical process by which Christianity was Hellenized and Hellenic civilization became Christianized.

Werner Jaeger shows that without the large postclassical expansion of Greek culture the rise of a Christian world religion would have been impossible. He explains why the Hellenization of Christianity...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0674220528
• ISBN13: 9780674220522
• Release Date: December 1961
• Publisher: Belknap Press
• Length: 162 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A Strong Follow-Up to the Author's "Paideia" Series

If you're familiar with Werner Jaeger then you'll appreciate this little book. Composed of just over 100 pages, the book is really a composition of lectures given in 1960. Since that time, we've learned a great deal more about Gnostic sects and their influence on Judaism and Christianity. That said, Jaeger's book remains relevant and interesting, with the author concentrating on Christianity's first few centuries of dialogue with Greek philosophy, from Clement & Origen to Gregory of Nyssa. Jaeger argues that Greek mystery cults began to influence Christianity most during the second century and after, changing the emphasis of organized Christianity itself towards a revelatory ethos. Before this, he argues, most Christian thinkers (if not believers) were centered on the philosophy of Christ, as this was the language of the Hellenized audience. Certainly in Alexandria this is true, but we might find this less so in Antioch. The central role of the Platonic concept of life after death, embraced by the Christian fathers and finding full fruition in the fourth century, is well-explored. A concept whose origin is often attributed to the more Dionysian influences does, in fact, find its true source in philosophy rather than faith. This tends to put current arguments of faith vs. reason in a more laughable light. In any case, the work is short and direct, written in an approachable manner by an excellent scholar. Those of you who enjoy this work might also consider picking up Jaeger's 3 volume work on Greek Philosophy (revolving around "paideia," or the individual's "education" in excellence.)

Not just for the patrology student

This book is an invaluable guide for the student of patrology, especially those with an interest in the Cappadocians. Jaeger demonstrates with ease and readability the influences between Hellenism and Christianity, and how Christianity strove to preserve what was good in the classical world, how it transformed the classical worldview and breathed new life into a decaying culture. Coupled by Jaeger's articulation and fluidity of thought, I found this book both intellectually stimulating, and, oddly enough, good spiritual reading. This is more than just an academic's collection of academese; it is a book for anyone wishing to expand their understanding of the Christian heritage.