Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What happens when the world of Plato meets the world of Christ?
In the final installment of this three-part series on Platonism, Dr. Anthony Alberino sits down with Dr. Michael Wiitala to explore the fascinating relationship between Christianity and the Platonic tradition. From the Gospel of John’s doctrine of the Logos to the profound influence of Platonism on the Church Fathers, creeds, and classical Christian theology, this episode examines how Christian thinkers appropriated, transformed, and sometimes rejected elements of Greek philosophy in their effort to understand and articulate the faith.
The discussion covers Philo of Alexandria, Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Augustine, Dionysius the Areopagite, Maximus the Confessor, and other major figures in the Christian Platonic tradition. Dr. Wiitala also explains why Platonism proved uniquely attractive to early Christians, how it shaped doctrines concerning God, creation, immaterial reality, providence, and the soul, and where important disagreements emerged regarding creation, reincarnation, emanation, and pagan religion.
Finally, Anthony and Michael address contemporary criticisms of Christian Platonism and ask whether the synthesis of faith and philosophy remains a fruitful project for Christian thinkers today.
Topics Covered:
- The Logos in John's Gospel and Philo of Alexandria
- Platonism and the Early Church Fathers
- Augustine's conversion and the Neoplatonists
- Christian Platonism and the Ecumenical Creeds
- Providence, creation, and the transcendence of God
- The Trinity and Platonic metaphysics
- Theosis and the Christian life
- Critiques of Christian Platonism
- Is Christian Platonism still relevant today?
This episode concludes our series:
Part 1: On Plato and Platonism
Part 2: On Neoplatonism
Part 3: On Christian Platonism
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on philosophy, theology, and the intellectual foundations of Christianity, be sure to like, subscribe, and share.
#ChristianPlatonism #Plato #Christianity #Theology #Philosophy #Augustine #Neoplatonism #ChurchFathers #Logos #ThinkForChrist
00:00 Introduction
03:34 Christianity and the Platonic World
05:02 Philo of Alexandria and the Logos
11:15 The Church Fathers and Platonism
16:41 Major Christian Platonists
26:59 Platonism and the Ecumenical Creeds
28:22 Why Platonism Appealed to Christians
34:32 Lloyd Gerson and "Ur Platonism"
40:13 Plundering the Egyptians: Augustine on Truth
42:09 Where Christianity and Platonism Differ
53:02 The Trinity, Incarnation, and Platonism
58:50 Trinitarian Patterns in Reality
59:28 Modern Critiques of Christian Platonism
01:00:31 Is Christian Platonism a Failed Project?
01:07:18 Providence, History, and the Rise of Christianity
01:09:26 Final Reflections
What happens when the world of Plato meets the world of Christ?
In the final installment of this three-part series on Platonism, Dr. Anthony Alberino sits down with Dr. Michael Wiitala to explore the fascinating relationship between Christianity and the Platonic tradition. From the Gospel of John’s doctrine of the Logos to the profound influence of Platonism on the Church Fathers, creeds, and classical Christian theology, this episode examines how Christian thinkers appropriated, transformed, and sometimes rejected elements of Greek philosophy in their effort to understand and articulate the faith.
The discussion covers Philo of Alexandria, Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Augustine, Dionysius the Areopagite, Maximus the Confessor, and other major figures in the Christian Platonic tradition. Dr. Wiitala also explains why Platonism proved uniquely attractive to early Christians, how it shaped doctrines concerning God, creation, immaterial reality, providence, and the soul, and where important disagreements emerged regarding creation, reincarnation, emanation, and pagan religion.
Finally, Anthony and Michael address contemporary criticisms of Christian Platonism and ask whether the synthesis of faith and philosophy remains a fruitful project for Christian thinkers today.
Topics Covered:
- The Logos in John's Gospel and Philo of Alexandria
- Platonism and the Early Church Fathers
- Augustine's conversion and the Neoplatonists
- Christian Platonism and the Ecumenical Creeds
- Providence, creation, and the transcendence of God
- The Trinity and Platonic metaphysics
- Theosis and the Christian life
- Critiques of Christian Platonism
- Is Christian Platonism still relevant today?
This episode concludes our series:
Part 1: On Plato and Platonism
Part 2: On Neoplatonism
Part 3: On Christian Platonism
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on philosophy, theology, and the intellectual foundations of Christianity, be sure to like, subscribe, and share.
#ChristianPlatonism #Plato #Christianity #Theology #Philosophy #Augustine #Neoplatonism #ChurchFathers #Logos #ThinkForChrist
00:00 Introduction
03:34 Christianity and the Platonic World
05:02 Philo of Alexandria and the Logos
11:15 The Church Fathers and Platonism
16:41 Major Christian Platonists
26:59 Platonism and the Ecumenical Creeds
28:22 Why Platonism Appealed to Christians
34:32 Lloyd Gerson and "Ur Platonism"
40:13 Plundering the Egyptians: Augustine on Truth
42:09 Where Christianity and Platonism Differ
53:02 The Trinity, Incarnation, and Platonism
58:50 Trinitarian Patterns in Reality
59:28 Modern Critiques of Christian Platonism
01:00:31 Is Christian Platonism a Failed Project?
01:07:18 Providence, History, and the Rise of Christianity
01:09:26 Final Reflections
