Wilken's Analysis of Early Church Leaders
Wilken talks about how some church leaders in the past dictated how quickly the church was built and how quickly the gospel was spread. Many other intellectuals, like as Gregory of Nyssa and St. Augustine, were inspired by the ancient thinkers' initiative to construct a spiritual and intellectual universe. Wilken discusses how they laid the groundwork for spiritual thought and how their lessons are still relevant today. When religion was still viewed as controversial, intellectuals spoke for reason by presenting the character of God and describing how to ensure that believers uphold the requirements of their creator. The early thinkers relied on philosophies and rhetorical traditions to dispute the arguments of the non-believers in the past. They explained the biblical terms and connected the spiritual world and the people concentrating on winning the hearts of people and changing their lives. For example, Trinity by St. Augustine remains a widely read and referenced religious book dealing with the Christian concept of God the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Gregory of Nyssa insisted on the belief that human beings resemble their creator among other aspects in his Creed: What Christians Believe and Why.
Armstrong's Concept of "Immediatism"
Armstrong uses the concept of "immediatism" in illustrating the way of reaching God without mediation. Armstrong argues that it becomes easier to soberly understand God and the religion in the present world. He demonstrated to his audience that there was no need to create many religious movements but to rather understand the destiny of the spiritual world through the ancient wisdom. One of the ideas pointed out is Dante's Inferno, a unique cosmology on how God will punish sinners during the judgment day. He illustrates the procedural and divine punishment for the sinners based on their sins' magnitude. The scholar shows how philosophies, cultures and theologies are forces that compel believers to grow into Christian disciples. Christians should read from the old blocks that provide detailed information about how believers conducted their matters of religion in the past.
Thomas Aquinas and the Influence of Philosophy
Thomas Aquinas, born in 1225 in Roccasecca, Italy, is a theologian who believed in philosophy as the basis of knowing God. His works ranging from logic to metaphysics, psychology, epistemology, theology, ethics, and political philosophy among others are still influential. Apparently, the most outstanding work in his religious philosophy is what he called five ways he attempts to prove presence of God. It follows that his arguments were sought after by renowned people including kings and popes who relied on his thinking. Apart for the five ways, his popular works is theologiae which centralizes on his defense against the Catholic Church. He offers clear explanations on the faith of the Catholics. Aquinas argued that the church is a distinct institution whose doctrines deserve respect because it is headed by spiritual persons. In many of his works he quotes church fathers and even controversially interrogates the pagans to draw a distinction.
Bibliography
Armstrong, Chris. Medieval Wisdom for Modern Christians: Finding Authentic Faith in an Forgotten Age. with C.S Lewis. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2016.
Leget, Carlo. Living with God: Thomas Aquinas on the Relation between Life on Earth and Life after Death. Leuven: Peeters, 1997.
Wilken, Robert Louis. The Spirit of early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003.
