The influence of Greek ideas and usages upon the Christian church

by Edwin Hatch

"The Influence of Greek Ideas and Usages Upon the Christian Church" by Edwin Hatch is a historical account likely written in the late 19th century. This work delves into the profound impact of Greek philosophical and cultural frameworks on the development of early Christianity, exploring how these influences shaped the church's beliefs and practices. Hatch aims to investigate the shift from the ethical teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount to the more dogmatic structure of the Nicene Creed, providing a critical analysis of this transformation. At the start of the book, the author introduces the essential problem of understanding how Christianity evolved from a simple ethical framework to a complex belief system influenced by Greek thought. He discusses the need to examine the mental landscape of the Greek world during the first few centuries AD and emphasizes that any significant change in religious belief must be rooted in existing ideas. His preliminary considerations include the need for a careful investigation of various cultural, literary, and philosophical elements present at the time, which contributed to this significant transformation in Christianity. The opening establishes a rigorous methodological approach and invites readers to explore the interplay between Greek culture and early Christian thought throughout the subsequent lectures.