How Greek Philosophy Corrupted the Christian Concept of God

by Hopkins, Richard R.

• ISBN13: 9780882907826
• ISBN10: 0882907824
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Horizon Pub & Dist Inc

Summary

How Greek Philosophy Corrupted the Christian Concept of God brings profound new insights to the Trinitarian doctrines of orthodox Christianity. with clear and precise documentation, the book shows how these doctrines migrated into early Christianity from Greek philosophy. the various aspects of Trinitarian belief are isolated, linked to their Greek sources, and carefully analyzed to show they differ radically from biblical teaching. the writings of early church fathers, portrayed in their historical context, show that during the second century, theological concepts taught in Platonism were adopted as Christianity struggled to end Roman persecution. Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a famous Stoic philosopher, was putting Christians to death because their belief did not conform to the Hellenized religion of the day. the book shows that the early Church Fathers sought to save their people's lives by redefining the Christian God in Greek terms. Their efforts brought metaphysics to Christianity and ushered in concepts like the Trinity. After presenting the historical setting in which these philosophical errors were embraced as Christian doctrine, the book compares orthodox Christian theology today, called classical theism, to biblical teachings. the book identifies how Greek phillosophy has influenced major atributes of God taught in classical theism. the book constitutes a major challenge to those who accept the tenants of classical theism but do not know the many aspects of their doctrine that are based on Greek philosophy.

Table of Contents

1. The True Foundation For the Christian Concept of God	11	(23)
Sola Scriptura: An Unheeded Battle Cry,	11	(3)
The Early Church Fathers,	14	(1)
The Ante-Nicene Fathers,	14	(3)
Table 1,	17	(2)
An Apostasy at the Hands of the Apologists,	19	(1)
Greek Philosophy Inspires the Apostasy,	19	(2)
The Influence of Greek Philosophy on Orthodox Christianity Is Well Known,	21	(1)
The Greek Influence on Present-day Criticism of Mormon Theology,	22	(1)
A Classical Theist's Idea of Mormon Theology,	23	(1)
Greek Elements in the Fundamental Tenets of Classical Theism,	24	(1)
A Summary of the Orthodox View of God,	24	(3)
Orthodox Christian Differences With Biblical Doctrine Are Significant,	27	(1)
The Breadth and Challenge of This Study,	27	(1)
Restrictions on the Scope of This Study,	27	(1)
A Summary of Contents and Direction,	28	(1)
The Nature and Goal of The Study,	29	(1)
This Book Is a Tribute As Well As a Critique,	30	(4)
Part I How God Prepared the Gentiles to Receive Christianity: The Rise of Greek Philosophy
2. The Revolutionary Theology of the Greek Philosophers	34	(16)
Theology Begins Among the Greeks,	35	(1)
Pythagoras Discovers God by the Numbers,	36	(1)
Heraclitus Discovers God in Opposition,	37	(1)
The Greek "Logos,"	37	(1)
Parmenides Reinvents God and Reality,	38	(2)
Anaxagoras Sees God as Pure Mind,	40	(1)
Plato Fashions Greek Theology,	40	(2)
Plato's World of Forms As the Agents of God,	42	(1)
Plato's Alternative Concept of God and the Creation,	43	(1)
Aristotle Places the Capstone on Greek Theology,	44	(1)
Aristotle's Use of the Term "Ousia,"	45	(2)
Aristotle and the Greek Love of Logic,	47	(3)
3. The Problem of End and the Development of Hellenism	50	(18)
The Stoics Espoused a Monistic View of the Universe,	50	(2)
Stoic Idealism Had a Pro-found Influence on Ethics,	52	(1)
The Platonists Advocated a Dualistic View of the Universe,	52	(1)
Influence of the Problem of Evil on Greek Theology,	53	(1)
The Book of Job and the Problem of Evil,	54	(2)
The Platonistic Response to the Problem of Evil,	56	(1)
The Stoics Found an Ethical Solution to the Problem of Evil,	57	(1)
Greek Gnosticism and Its Strange Theology,	57	(2)
The Problem of Evil and the Free Agency of Man,	59	(1)
Under-standing the Problem of Evil,	60	(1)
Modern Revelation and the Problem of Evil,	61	(2)
Philo of Alexandria Forged the Path to the Theological Apostasy,	63	(5)
4. The Greek Education System and the Spread of Hellenism	68	(16)
Greek Education-the Model for Modern Education Systems,	68	(2)
Greek Education Emphasized Literature, Philosophy and Argument,	70	(1)
Greek Education Spread Quickly to Rome,	71	(1)
Jewish Education and Culture Remained Strictly Separate,	72	(1)
The Nature of Jewish Education,	73	(1)
A Deep Rift Between the Jews and the Gentiles,	73	(1)
The Skeptics and the Appeal of Christianity,	74	(1)
The Greek Fascination for Christianity Did Not Include the Scriptures,	75	(1)
Greek Methods of Interpretation Were Used to Distort the Scriptures,	75	(1)
Philo and the Greek Method of Allegory,	76	(1)
The Apologists Adopted Allegorical Interpretations of the Scriptures,	76	(1)
The Greek Love for Sophistry Infects the Early Church,	77	(1)
The Development of Neoplatonism,	78	(1)
Christianity and Greek Culture Mutually Affected Each Other,	79	(1)
Jewish Commandments vs. Greek Ethics,	80	(1)
Jewish Inspiration vs. Greek Teaching,	81	(1)
Changes to the Gospel Were Inevitable,	81	(3)
Part II How Greek Philosophy Influenced Early Christianity: The Theological apostasy
5. Foundations of the Theological apostasy	84	(22)
Evidence of the Apostasy,	84	(1)
Signs of the Apostasy: Lack of Unity,	85	(1)
Signs of Apostasy: Adoption of Greek Philosophy,	86	(1)
Signs of Apostasy: Behavior of Church Leaders,	87	(3)
Causes of Apostasy: Heresy,	90	(1)
Causes of Apostasy: Early Persecution,	90	(4)
Beginnings of Apostasy: Writings of the Apostolic Fathers,	94	(1)
Clement of Rome,	94	(2)
Ignatius of Antioch,	96	(4)
Polycarp of Smyrna,	100	(2)
Papias of Hierapolis,	102	(1)
Hermas' Shepherd,	102	(4)
6. The Apologists and the Theological apostasy	106	(47)
Criticism of the Early Church,	106	(2)
Justin Martyr, The "First" Apologist,	108	(3)
Irenaeus, the Most Renowned of the Greek Apologists,	111	(1)
Lack of Information About the Gospel at the Time of Irenaeus,	111	(2)
No Clear Biblical Canon,	113	(1)
Greek Exegesis Resulted in Inaccurate Interpretation,	114	(1)
Confusion Interjected by Heretics and False Teachers,	115	(1)
Another Example of Irenaeus' Errors: the Age of Christ,	116	(1)
The Apologists Tackled Tough Questions,	117	(1)
The Apologists Responded to Jewish As Well As Greek Criticism,	118	(1)
Hellenization of the Early Church,	119	(1)
Renewed Persecution, a Catalyst for Apostasy,	120	(1)
Apologies Addressed to Marcus Aurelius,	120	(1)
The Impact of Stoic Philosophy,	121	(2)
The Boldness of the Early Apologists Offended Rome,	123	(1)
Apologetic Writings After 161 A.D.,	124	(1)
Christian Descriptions of God Before 161 A.D.,	124	(5)
Justin Martyr's View of God the Father,	129	(2)
Tatian Embraces the Hellenized God with Enthusiasm,	131	(1)
Melito Introduces Metaphysics to Christian Theology,	132	(2)
Athenagoras Teaches the Platonistic God,	134	(2)
Irenaeus Becomes the Father of Co-Substantiality,	136	(2)
Theophilus Introduces the Term "Trinity,"	138	(2)
Minucius Felix Concurs in Latin,	140	(1)
Summary of the New Doctrine Developed by the Apologists,	141	(2)
Justin Martyr-A Heretic, or Simply Misunderstood?,	143	(1)
Presenting a United Front to Rome,	143	(2)
The Apologists Were Glorified by Their Deaths,	145	(2)
The Rise of Catholicism Advanced the Apostasy,	147	(6)
7. Heresies and Heretics	153	(23)
Heretical Jewish Sects Clung to the Law of Moses,	154	(1)
The Judaizers,	154	(1)
Cerinthus and Gnostic Ebionism,	154	(1)
The Essenes or Clementines,	155	(1)
Ebionites Described by Epiphanius,	156	(1)
The Elkasaites,	157	(1)
Docetism Denied the Suffering of Christ,	157	(1)
Christian Gnosticism Began in Infamy,	158	(1)
Simon Magus,	158	(1)
Menander,	158	(1)
The Nicolaitans,	159	(1)
The Ophites, the Cainites and the Sethites,	159	(1)
Carpocrates,	159	(1)
The Syrian Gnostics Followed Platonistic Dualism,	159	(1)
Satornilus,	160	(1)
Tatian,	160	(1)
Bardesanes,	161	(1)
The Egyptian Gnostics Were Monistic,	162	(1)
Basilides,	162	(1)
Valentinus,	163	(1)
Ptolemy, Heracleon and Mark,	164	(1)
Marcion,	165	(2)
Errors Made While Opposing Heretics,	167	(1)
Creation Out of Nothing,	167	(1)
A Residue of Gnosticism Remained in Orthodox Christianity,	168	(2)
Monarchianism, the Foundation of Arianism,	170	(1)
Montanism Claimed Endless New Revelations,	170	(2)
The Defeat of Montanism Ended the Concept of Ongoing Revelation,	172	(1)
The End of the Battles Against Heresy and Its Effect on the Early Church,	172	(4)
8. The Arian Controversy: Cementing the Theological Apostasy	176	(30)
How Roman Persecution Was Triggered,	177	(1)
Roman Trials Preceded the Condemnation of Christians,	178	(1)
Christian Reactions Bewildered Roman Authorities,	179	(1)
Roman Persecution After Marcus Aurelius,	180	(1)
The Persecution by Decius,	181	(1)
A Controversy Arises Over Treatment of the "Lapsed,"	182	(1)
The Baptism of Heretics Is Accepted by the Early Church,	183	(1)
Roman Persecution Continues,	184	(1)
The Final Battle, Diocletian's Persecution,	184	(3)
The Rise of Constantine and the Edict of Milan,	187	(1)
The Untimely Rise of the Arian Controversy,	188	(1)
Monarchianism the Great Heresy of the Third Century,	188	(2)
Modalism Under the Hand of Sabellius,	190	(1)
The Conflict Between Dionysius of Rome and Dionysius of Alexandria,	191	(2)
Subordination of the Son to the Father,	193	(1)
Paul of Samosata, The Forerunner of Arius,	193	(2)
Lucian Takes the Next Step Toward Arianism,	195	(1)
The Tenets of Arianism,	195	(1)
The Controversy Begins With the Excommunication of Arius,	196	(1)
Differences Between Arianism and Mormonism,	196	(2)
The True Nature of the Arian Controversy,	198	(1)
How the Controversy Caine to Nicaea,	199	(1)
Arianism After Nicaea,	200	(1)
Systematizing the Theological Apostasy,	201	(5)
Part III The Influence of Greek Philosophy 0n Classical Theism Today: What fire the Attributes of God?
9. Understanding the Attributes of God	206	(14)
The Importation of Greek A Priori Assumptions Into Christianity,	206	(2)
The Danger of Using A Priori Assumptions to Learn About God,	208	(1)
Unbiblical Assumptions About God Must Be Rejected,	208	(1)
Examples of False A Priori Assumptions in Aristotelian Physics,	209	(2)
False A Priori Assumptions About Metaphysics,	211	(2)
Classical Theism Recognizes Some of Its Own Assumptions,	213	(1)
Dogmatism,	214	(2)
The Danger of Relying on Greek Terminology,	216	(1)
The Attributes of God,	217	(1)
A Note About the History of Theology After the Fourth Century,	217	(3)
10. The Personal God	220	(30)
Greek Philosophy and Christianity Merged,	220	(1)
The Philosophers' View of God as a Person,	221	(2)
The Classical Attempt to Define the Personal God: The Trinity,	223	(2)
The Modern Expression of an Unsolvable Enigma: The Trinity As Three Separate Persons, But One Individual,	225	(2)
The Separateness of the Persons in the Trinity,	227	(1)
Justin and the Separateness of the Father and the Son,	228	(2)
Metaphysics, the Cradle of the Trinity,	230	(1)
What Does the Bible Say About "Co-substantiality"?,	231	(1)
Justin Martyr's Teachings About the Genesis of Christ,	232	(1)
Christ, the "Beginning of the Creation of God,"	233	(1)
Rejection of Pre-Mortal Birth As the Means for the Genesis of Christ,	233	(1)
Rejection of Pre-Mortal Creation as the Means for the Genesis of Christ,	234	(1)
The Idea of "Emanation" and the Rejection of "Division" as the Means for the Genesis of Christ,	235	(3)
What's Wrong With Being Created by God?,	238	(1)
The Orthodox Answer to the Genesis of Christ,	239	(1)
The Timing of Christ's Genesis,	240	(1)
The Biblical View of the Genesis of Christ,	241	(1)
The True Origin of Christ,	242	(1)
God's True Nature as an Individual,	242	(1)
Was the Godhead Different in the Old Testament?,	243	(1)
Biblical Evidence for Three Separate Centers of Consciousness,	244	(1)
Separate Knowledge Dictates Separate Centers of Consciousness,	245	(5)
11. The Corporeal God	250	(28)
False Assumptions About Corporeality,	250	(1)
"Face to Face" With the Biblical God,	251	(2)
"Theophanies" and "Anthropomorphisms" in Bible Passages,	253	(1)
Does the Bible Say That God Has Wings?,	253	(2)
Is God Only a Spirit?,	255	(2)
God's Resurrected Body is Different From That of Mortal Men,	257	(2)
Numbers 23:19 As Proof That God Is Corporeal,	259	(1)
The Invisible God,	260	(2)
Greek Origins of Incorporeality as a Supposed Attribute of God,	262	(1)
The Classical Doctrine of a Transcendent God Is Based on Greek Meta-physics,	263	(1)
The Greek Notion of a Transcendent, Incorporeal God,	264	(2)
Transcendence and Incorporeality in Hellenized Judaism,	266	(1)
Earliest Christian Views on the Transcendency and Corporeality of God,	267	(1)
Early Christian Belief in a Corporeal God,	268	(1)
The Apologists Imported the God of Greek Philosophy Into Christianity,	268	(3)
Not All the Apologists Agreed That God Was Incorporeal,	271	(1)
What Does the Bible Teach About the Transcendency of God?,	271	(1)
Classical Attempts to Defend the Transcendence of God From the Bible,	272	(1)
Incorporeality, an Idolatrous Doctrine,	273	(1)
The Real God Contrasted With Idols,	274	(4)
12. God, The Creator	278	(26)
The Classical Doctrine of Creation,	278	(1)
What "Things" Did God Create?,	279	(1)
No Biblical Support for the Idea that God Created Reality,	279	(2)
"All Things" Does Not Include Space and Time,	281	(1)
Space and Time Are Not "Things,"	281	(1)
A Theological Argument Against the Creation of Time and Space,	282	(1)
God Is Not Confined, or Limited by Space or Time,	282	(2)
Being "In" Time Does Not Give God a Beginning or an End,	284	(1)
"Eternity" Is Not the Pleronta,	284	(1)
Straining the Scriptures Provides No Biblical Support,	284	(1)
Being "In" Time Does Not Make God Dependent on Time or Space,	285	(1)
Philosophical Problems With the Creation of Time and Space,	286	(1)
Vacuum and Quantum Theory,	286	(1)
Irenaeus Missed an Important Argument,	287	(1)
Biblical Creation of the Heavens and the Earth,	288	(1)
Renovation of the Earth Appears in the Original Hebrew,	288	(1)
What Is Included in "The Heavens and the Earth?,"	289	(1)
God's Additional Creations Told in Modern Revelation,	289	(1)
Ineffective Efforts to Support the Ex Nihilo Doc-trine From the Bible,	290	(1)
Passages Used to Support Ex Nihilo Creation Actually Refute Metaphysics,	291	(1)
Romans 4:17 and "Being,"	292	(1)
Hebrews 11:3 and "Phenomenon,"	293	(1)
Ginomai Does Not Teach Creation Out of Nothing,	294	(1)
Development of the Ex Nihilo Doctrine in the Early Church,	295	(9)
13. The Omnipotent God	304	(7)
How Powerful Is Omnipotence?,	304	(2)
Problems with the Classical View,	306	(1)
Omnipotence and Corporeality,	307	(1)
Einstein and the Power of Corporeality,	308	(1)
Mormonism Teaches that God Is Omnipotent,	309	(2)
14. The Omniscient God	311	(13)
Classical Theism's Position on God's Omniscience,	311	(1)
Can God Know the Future?,	311	(2)
Mormon Theology On God's Omniscience,	313	(2)
Classical Theism's Idea of How God Knows the Future,	315	(1)
How Does God Really Know the Future?,	316	(3)
Greek Barriers to Understanding the Omniscience of a Corporeal God,	319	(1)
Modem Advances in Knowledge Support the Corporeality of God,	320	(1)
Power of the Human Brain,	321	(3)
15. The Omnipresent God	324	(21)
Understanding Omnipresence,	324	(1)
Classical Theism's Notions of God's Omnipresence,	325	(2)
God Has a Specific Location in Space and Time,	327	(1)
The Personal God and the Dilemma of Omnipresence,	328	(1)
Classical Reactions to the Dilemma of Omnipresence,	329	(1)
Is God's Omnipresence an Irrational Paradox?,	330	(1)
Mormons Believe God's Omnipresence is Rational,	331	(1)
Biblical Omnipresence,	332	(1)
Where Is God? Not in Temples Made With Hands,	332	(2)
Unworthy Temples,	334	(1)
Omnipresence as a Consequence of Omniscience,	335	(2)
Immanence and Transcendence,	337	(1)
God's Ability to Travel as an Aspect of Omnipresence,	337	(1)
God's Nearness as an Aspect of Omnipresence,	338	(1)
Communication as an Aspect of Omnipresence,	339	(1)
A Modern Analogy to Biblical Omnipresence,	340	(2)
Some Insights on the Nature of God's Telecommunication System,	342	(3)
16. The Immutable and Eternal God	345	(26)
Scriptural References to God's Immutability,	345	(1)
Immutability an Essential Attribute of God,	346	(1)
The Static Versus the Dynamic View of God,	346	(1)
In What Way Does God Remain Unchanged?,	347	(2)
In What Ways Does God Change?,	349	(1)
Changes in Knowledge and Wisdom,	349	(1)
Changes in Bodily Characteristics,	350	(1)
Changes In Office, Title or Position,	350	(4)
Origin of the Classical View of Immutability,	354	(1)
The Idea of God As a Necessary Being,	354	(1)
Origin of The "Necessary God" Concept,	355	(1)
The Biblical Doctrine of God's Necessity,	355	(1)
What If God Did Not Exist?,	356	(1)
Has God Always Been "God?",	357	(1)
From Everlasting to Everlasting,	358	(1)
Christ's Exaltation to the Office of "God,"	359	(2)
Christ Was Exalted to the Godhead Because of His Immutable Righteousness,	361	(1)
Joseph Smith's Teachings About God's History,	362	(1)
Joseph's Teachings Are Compatible With God's Immutability,	363	(1)
Eternal Progression and Immutability,	364	(1)
Was the Father Exalted?,	365	(1)
Does Christ's "Creation" as a Spirit Refute His Immutability?,	366	(5)
17. The Plural and Only God	371	(22)
Classical Theism's Position: One God "by Nature,"	371	(1)
The Scriptures and "the Only God,"	372	(1)
God's Oneness is Figurative,	373	(1)
The Principle of Agency in the Godhead,	374	(1)
Who Are the Agents of God?,	375	(1)
The Origin of Angels,	376	(1)
Special Agents of God,	377	(1)
Understanding Passages in Isaiah,	378	(1)
Christ's Submission To The Father.	379	(1)
Paul and the Oneness of "Many Gods,"	380	(3)
Corporate Aspects of the Godhead's Functionality,	383	(1)
Other Passages Confirm the Father's Authority as Singular,	384	(1)
Is Biblical Theology Monotheistic?,	384	(1)
Failure of the Greek Mind to Grasp the God-head's Functionality,	385	(2)
The Confused Doctrine of Subordination,	387	(6)
Part IV Classical Theism Reacts to the Biblical Concept of God: Philosophical Problems With Eternal Progression
18. Man and the Infinite	393	(20)
An Ontological Look at God and Man,	393	(2)
The Classical Doctrine of Man's "Finiteness,"	395	(2)
The Biblical Response to the Orthodox Doctrine of Man's "Finiteness,"	397	(1)
The Principle of Progression,	398	(1)
An Infinite Number of Gods,	399	(2)
A Finite Look at Infinity,	401	(4)
Infinity in Mormon Theology,	405	(1)
Beginnings in Mormon Theology,	405	(1)
The Number of Gods in the Universe,	406	(1)
Logical Requisites For Eternal Progression,	407	(1)
The Function of Free Agency,	408	(5)
19. Answering Philosophical Objections to The Doctrine of Eternal Progression	413	(28)
The Problem of an Infinite Number of Past Events: Can an Infinite Number Be Traversed in a Real Universe?,	414	(2)
Can an Infinite Number Be Traversed?,	416	(1)
If Not Men, Hasn't God Traversed an Infinite Number?,	417	(1)
Conclusion On the Problem of an Infinite Number of Past Events,	418	(1)
The Problem of Eternal Progression With an Infinite Past,	419	(1)
Segment One of Eternal Progression: The Intelligence,	420	(2)
Greek Notions About The Intelligence,	422	(1)
Segment Two of Eternal Progression: The Spirit,	422	(1)
Segment Three of Eternal Progression: Mortality,	423	(1)
An Adjunct to Segment Three: The Spirit World,	424	(1)
Segment Four of Eternal Progression: Resurrection and Eternal Life,	424	(2)
An Overview of God's Creative Cycles,	426	(2)
The Duration of God's Eternal Rounds,	428	(1)
Was There a Beginning of Time?,	429	(1)
Greek Beliefs About the Cycle of Eternal Progression,	429	(1)
The Problem of Achieving Omniscience by Eternal Progression,	430	(2)
Man's Knowledge in Pre-Mortality,	432	(1)
Obtaining Omniscience,	433	(2)
How Man Gains Knowledge,	435	(1)
Man Can Become Omniscient!,	436	(1)
The Coherent Concept of God,	436	(5)
20. A Summary of Greek Influences on the Christian Concept of God	441	(10)
Erroneous Greek Philosophical Concepts Incorporated into Early Christian Doctrine,	442	(9)
1. Strict Monotheism: The Numerically Singular God,	442	(1)
2. The "Logos": Embodiment of the Metaphysical God's "Reason,"	443	(1)
3. Dualism: The Absolute Distinction Between Mind and Created Things,	444	(1)
4. The Metaphysical Universe: Man's Universe Is an Illusion,	444	(1)
5. Metaphysical Theism: God Exists in the Pleroma, the World of "Forms,"	444	(1)
6. God As Transcendent: Existence Outside Time and Space,	445	(1)
7. The Supposed Inferiority of Created Things,	446	(1)
8. The Supposed Incomprehensible and Unknowable God,	446	(1)
9. The Supposed Incorporeality of God: Mind Without Matter,	446	(1)
10. Creation and Some Distorted Beliefs About God's Omnipotence and Omniscience,	446	(1)
11. Distorted Ideas About the Omnipresence of God,	447	(1)
12. God As The "Unmoving Mover": God Differs From Men Because He Never Changes,	447	(1)
13. The Origin of Christ: No Pre-Mortal Birth for the Firstborn Son of God,	448	(1)
14. Rationalism: Reason Rather than Revelation,	448	(1)
15. Logic More Important Than Empirical Truth,	448	(3)
Scripture Index	451	(6)
Subject Index	457