The Influence of Plato on Christianity

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While approaches to logical reasoning and some other areas in philosophy are useful, people can be so wrapped up in it that they become deceived. Some believe that Christianity is simply the development of ideas from Aristotle, and especially Plato.

It has even been suggested that the Trinity came from their philosophies. This indicates ignorance of the Bible, including the Old Testament. However, a kind of trickle-down effect can be seen by philosophers on church fathers — and on Western culture today. Worldviews in our society, especially in Christianity, are markedly different from those philosophers.

Some people believe Christianity is an extension of Plato and others. While their influence is seen even today, they did not source Christianity.
Plato, WikiComm / Leonidas Drosis (photo by C messier), (CC BY-SA 4.0), cross added from Clker clipart
Consider if you will that Socratic Questioning is used today — and a form of it can be seen in Paul the Apostle. However, the Christian view of truth is very different from those of Socrates, Plato, and the gang. It may be surprising that some of the aspects of their philosophies were found in the writings of Justin Martyr, Augustine of Hippo, and others. Aristotle's logical frameworks influenced Thomas Aquinas. None of this means that Christianity is sourced from Plato and the others, nor is modern society paganized by drawing from them. Truth itself proceeds from God, old son.
Plato is often termed the father of Western philosophy. His ideas have had a massive impact on the West, including on Christian thinkers, and continue to do so even today. But how indebted is Christianity to Plato? Did Christianity come from Plato’s philosophy? T.S. from Spain writes:
I´m a student and I’m trying to do a research of philosophy vs Christianity to do a project for my philosophy teacher. He said that Christianity came from Plato’s philosophy (theory of forms). I´m really not agree with that. I would like to know how to refute that. And what articles would be better to share with him from your website. Thank you and God bless.
CMI’s Shaun Doyle responds:

To read the rest of this interesting correspondence, see "Plato and Christianity."