Christian Platonism

Platonism has played a central role in Christianity and is essential to a deep understanding of the Christian theological tradition. At times Platonism has constituted an essential philosophical and theological resource furnishing Christianity with an intellectual framework that has played a key role in its early development and in subsequent periods of renewal. Alternatively it has been considered a compromising influence conflicting with the faith''s revelatory foundations and distorting its inherent message. In both cases the fundamental importance of Platonism as a force which Christianity defined itself by and against is clear. Written by an international team of scholars this landmark volume examines the history of Christian Platonism from antiquity to the present day covers key concepts and engages issues such as the environment natural science and materialism.