Ancient Philosophy in Early and Medieval Christianity

Dear Colleagues,

The profound influence of ancient philosophy on early and medieval Christianity has been a pivotal subject of scholarly inquiry. The interplay between Greek and Roman philosophical traditions and the development of Christian thought has significantly shaped the theological, ethical, and metaphysical dimensions of Christianity. This rich and complex relationship underscores the importance of understanding how philosophical ideas were assimilated, transformed, and utilized by early Church Fathers and medieval theologians to articulate and defend Christian doctrines. We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on “Ancient Philosophy in Early and Medieval Christian Thought”, which aims to deepen our understanding of this crucial historical interaction and its enduring legacy. This Special Issue seeks to stimulate fresh contributions to scholarship by focusing on live debates and current research trends.

This Special Issue aims to explore the many and diverse ways in which ancient philosophical traditions shaped early and medieval Christian thought. The subject aligns with the journal’s scope by addressing the intersection of theology, philosophy and history, and by contributing to the ongoing discourse on the development of religious and philosophical ideas. By focusing on the dynamic engagement between pagan ancient philosophy and Christianity, this Special Issue seeks to provide fresh insights into how early Christian thinkers engaged with, adapted, and sometimes contested the philosophical concepts of their time, while some other times introduced new philosophical concepts. The scope is designed to be inclusive yet focused, inviting contributions that examine specific philosophical influences, key figures, and critical periods in the history of Christian thought. Emphasis will be placed on current scholarly debates and novel research questions to avoid over-generalization and ensure high-quality contributions.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles and comprehensive reviews. Potential contributors are encouraged to submit papers on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• The presence of Platonic, Aristotelian, Stoic, and Neoplatonic thought on early Christian thought.
• The use of traditional philosophical methods and concepts in the writings of early Church Fathers such as Clement of Alexandria Origen, and Augustine.
• The integration and transformation of ancient ethical theories in Christian ethics.
• Comparative studies of pagan philosophical texts and early Christian writings.
• The impact of philosophical debates on the development of key Christian doctrines, such as the nature of God, the Trinity, and the incarnation.
• The reception of ancient philosophy in medieval scholasticism and its influence on prominent figures like Thomas Aquinas and Anselm of Canterbury.
• The transmission and translation of philosophical texts during the medieval period and their role in shaping Christian thought.
• Examination of how pagan philosophical ideas such as that of free will influenced the spiritual life and practices of early Christians beyond the educated elite, including the anti-philosophical stances of figures like Tertullian and the spiritual influences on theologians like Bernard of Clairvaux and the Victorines.

By addressing these themes, the Special Issue aims to attract high-quality contributions that engage with live debates and provide fresh perspectives on the enduring legacy of ancient philosophy in early and medieval Christian thought.

Prof. Dr. George Karamanolis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• ancient philosophy
• early Christianity
• medieval Christianity
• theological development
• Church Fathers
• Platonic influence
• Aristotelian influence
• Neoplatonism
• ethical theories
• doctrinal development