History of Neoplatonism
Neoplatonism was a school of ancient thought that developed in the 2nd century CE by Plotinus. It blended elements of Platonism, Stoicism and Aristoteleanism in both its theory and practice. Its influence in the history of philosophy made it one of the most important philosophical schools of the ancient world. Plotinus’ main conception of metaphysics was based on the idea of ‘the One’, a primordial unity from which all other reality derives. He also taught the idea of a divine spark, existing within each being, which must return to its source. This concept was inextricably linked to the practice of contemplation, which served as the means to reunite the soul with its source. Ultimately, Neoplatonism focused on the attainment of spiritual knowledge and the purification of the soul.
God in Neoplatonism and Christianity
Like Christianity, Neoplatonism believed in a single, uncreated God. Central to the beliefs of Neoplatonism and Christianity was the idea of God as the ‘unknowable’, an abstraction or concept that was too distant and otherworldly to be apprehended by humans. While Christianity had already established the idea of a single God, the implications of this concept had not been fully explored until the advent of Neoplatonism. Neoplatonism sought to expand this idea by developing the notion of the One or the Good, a term that was used to express the unity of the divine. This was the concept of God as a perfect archetype, beyond the physical and material realms and both immanent and transcendent.
Christ and the One in Neoplatonism and Christianity
One of the key similarities between Neoplatonism and Christianity was the idea of a divine intermediary, such as Christ in Christianity or the Demiurge in Neoplatonism, who bridge the gap between the One and the physical realm. In Christian thought, Jesus Christ was viewed as an incarnate manifestation of God and the source of salvation for mankind. Similarly, in Neoplatonism the Demiurge was a mediator between the One, or the Good, and the physical realm. This concept of an intermediary between the physical and spiritual realms echoed the traditional Biblical view, which posited the existence of an angelic mediator who acted as a bridge between heaven and earth.
Neoplatonic influence on Christian Thought
Neoplatonism had a significant influence on early Christian thought and the theological debates of the time. One of the most notable aspects of this influence was the adoption of their dualistic view of the universe. Neoplatonism posited the existence of an ideal spiritual realm, or the One, and its direct antithesis, the material world. In Christianity, this concept was embraced, and the material world was seen as state of sin and decay. This dichotomy was echoed in the writings of Augustine, who wrote of the One and the Platonic ideal of eternal beauty, and the physical universe and its progressive deterioration.
Furthermore, the notion of the soul’s ascent to God was strongly embraced by Christian theologians. Plotinus’ concept of the soul’s journey back to reunite with the One, through contemplation and purification, was seen as a parallel to the salvific journey of Christ. The notion was embraced by Augustine and became a central pillar of Christian thought.
Neoplatonic Influence on Christian Mysticism
Another of the major influences of Neoplatonism on Christianity was the adoption of its contemplative practices. Plotinus had emphasized the idea that direct contact with the One could be achieved through contemplation and purification. This notion of mysticism dovetailed with the Christian concept of salvation, which emphasised submission to the will of God and redemption. This notion was embraced by early Christian mystics and would become a major element of European mysticism.
Christianity further tapped into neoplatonic thought in its acceptance of the soul’s pre-existence. Plotinus had argued for a notion of the soul as eternal, existing in a state prior to its union with the body. This was an idea embraced by Christianity, although modified by the notion of the soul’s ‘fall’ when it unites with the body. This would become a major point of debate among early Christian theologians, as well as the archetypal symbol for the human condition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Neoplatonism was a major influence on early Christian thought. Its concepts of the One, the divine spark and the pre-existence of the soul formed the basis of much of Christian theology. Its influence also extended to the practice of mysticism and to the use of contemplative practices as a means of gaining knowledge and spiritual growth. Neoplatonism was thus an immensely influential philosophy, providing the groundwork for a theological paradigm that would shape the course of Western thought and spirituality for centuries to come.
