PHIL 251 - Legacies of Thought: Ancient Philosophy & Medieval Christianity

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FA. A course on medieval Christian thinkers who practiced wisdom-seeking and cultural discernment in their appropriations of the Greek philosophical tradition. After the birth of Christianity, Christians spent centuries engaged in critical and creative translation of Greek and Roman ideas about knowledge, reality, and the good life. The course examines ancient and medieval models of the intellectual and spiritual life and their enduring contributions to both Western culture and Christianity—including the Reformed tradition. Emphasis is placed on the practice of philosophy—e.g., dialogue, charitable interpretation of texts, clear argumentation in writing—and on historically and contextually-sensitive faith-based engagement with philosophical ideas as an ongoing part of a reflective Christian life. Prerequisite: Foundations of Christianity I or appropriate transfer credit is strongly recommended.