From The Alpha and the Omega - Volume III
by Jim A. Cornwell, Copyright © 12/18/1998, all rights reserved
"History of Philosophy
Early Christian Philosophers,
A.D. first century to the 1300's"
- Saint Augustine, A.D. 354-430, was an early Christian church father and philosopher who served (396-430) as the bishop of Hippo (in present-day Algeria). He wrote the autobiographical Confessions (397) and the voluminous City of God (413-426). He taught that all history is teleological, or purposeful, and is directed by God. God is above everything, and man and the world are God's creatures. The supreme goal of man is mystical union with God.
- Saint Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274, was a Italian Dominican monk, theologian, and philosopher. The outstanding representative of Scholasticism, he applied Aristotelian methods to Christian theology. His masterwork is Summa Theologica (1266-1273). He argued that the universe was organized on the basis of reason, and that knowledge of it leads to God. He said that a person should use both faith and reason in believing in God.
- John Duns Scotus was known as "the Subtle Doctor," 1265?-1308, was a Scottish Franciscan monk and theologian who wrote On the First Principal and disputed Thomas Aquinas's harmony of faith and reason.
- William of Ockham, 1285?-1349?, English scholastic philosopher who rejected the reality of universal concepts. He also rejected Aquinas.
- Johannes Eckhart was known as "Meister Eckhart." He lived 1260?-1327?, a German theologian regarded as the founder of mysticism in Germany. His influential works concern the union of the individual soul with God. He claimed that belief in God is direct and inexplicable. He said that it cannot be proved or discussed in rational terms.
- The Christian era in philosophy lasted until about the 1400's. Philosophy came to depend more on reason, and became separated from theology. Religious leaders did not accept reason as a proper criterion for religious truths.
- Roger Bacon was known as "the Admirable Doctor" from 1214?-1292. He was a English friar, scientist, and philosopher whose Opus Majus (1267) argued that Christian studies should encompass the sciences.
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1400's to the early 1600's