Considering the Greek philosophy through the perspective of Christian monastic spirituality The St Anthony’s Letters

Abstract

This article considers the approach between Hellenism and Christianity through the perspective of the Letters (Epistles) of St. Antony the Great. These letters, originally dictated in Coptic and then translated into Greek and other languages, examine the recruitment of Greek philosophy by monks and then by ordinary Christians. Hence, this article will attempt to detect elements of war or even the agreement of Christian teaching with the Greek philosophers in these letters. Moreover, this article will examine Greek philosophy’s influence on monasticism and how St. Antony incorporated it into his teachings, both for monks and for the general public. In addition, St. Antony raises crucial questions in these letters, such as the three models of God’s calling to the people, which are significant for understanding the theological implications and St. Antony’s interpretation. He also discusses the history of Salvation and its importance; the way the Holy Spirit guides a man to repentance; the power of faith; the way the mind purifies the body’s members; and the purification of the soul through repentance. Finally, this article will emphasize the importance of St. Antony’s teachings for the development of monastic theology.