Comparing The Church Father, Tertullian, Clement, And Augustine

The church fathers, Tertullian, Clement, and Augustine, have different arguments on their attitudes towards Greek thought. Tertullian believed that Greek philosophy caused heresy and believed that Christianity did not mix well with philosophy. Clement and Augustine both had similar attitudes towards Greek, however. They both believed that Greek philosophy could be used together in their religion. Greek Philosophy did link to Christianity for Clement and Augustine but not Tertullian. Although there are philosophies that challenge Christianity and existence of God, philosophy brought positive change to the evolvement of Christianity. The church fathers’ differences in beliefs on philosophy provided the genesis to the incorporation of philosophy
He states “Indeed heresies are themselves instigated by philosophy” (Tertullian 321). Here he is saying that philosophy is the cause and the start of heresy. Tertullian thinks that because philosophy causes heresy, there shouldn’t be any good in it. Tertullian talks about the Apostle Paul and quotes “see that no one beguile you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, and contrary to the wisdom of the Holy Ghost” (Tertullian 322). Tertullian implies individuals should not trust what the tradition of men is saying about philosophy and we should rather believe what God is telling us, because in the end what God says is always right. Tertullian did not believe there was any way that Greek philosophy and Christianity can link together. He also says that “with our faith, we desire no further belief” (Tertullian 322). Tertullian believes that Christians should want nothing more than God, Gods word is the most important, and what the Bible says and felt it was wrong if they wanted more than God and the
Clement believes that there is good to come from philosophy as stated “For God is the cause of all good things; but of some primarily, as of the Old and the New Testament; and of others by consequence, as philosophy” (Clement 323). “And he who brings everything to bear on a right life, procuring examples from the Greeks and barbarians, this man is an experienced searcher after truth… And how necessary it is for him who desires to be partaker of the power of God to treat of intellectual subjects by philosophizing!” (Clement 324) He says “so philosophy does not ruin life by being the originator of false practices and base deeds, although some have calumniated it, though it is the clear image of truth” (Clement 323). Here he says that philosophy does not ruin life but saw that there was truth in philosophy. Later he says that “Nor does it drag us away from the faith” (Clement 323). So, unlike Tertullian, Clement states that “with philosophy itself, is shown to have come down from God to men” (Clement 324). Clement’s belief opposes what Tertullian is saying because if what God says is important then if philosophy came from God to men, it must be important. Clement later states that “For this was a schoolmaster to bring 'the Hellenic mind,' as the law, the Hebrews, to Christ. Philosophy, therefore, was a preparation, paving the way for him who is