What attributes of Hellenism are still reflected in Christianity today?
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Hellenism is basically the ancient description of the culture, development, society and civilization of Greece and of Greeks. The influence of Greeks in Christianity can be traced back after the exile of Jews form the Babylonian Empire. Alexander the Great of Greece extended the empire of until it reaches some part of Egypt, India and Israel. In those times, the Greek culture has been wide spread throughout the western Asia changing some of laws and ways that has been given through Moses. These include the ordination of Sanhedrin rather than priesthood, Hellenistic medieval acts (sorcery, magic, alchemy and astrology). It made the Christianity, particularly the Catholicism to be artistic by adding some artworks in the altars and churches.
The major influences of Hellenism in the Christianity can be summarized as follows:
- Gnosticism - the attribution of God, Jesus and the Spirit and how they are connected, differentiated and worshipped
- Stoicism - the unstoppable will of the most High God.
- Rejection of Monotheism
- Debates, explanation, studies and disputes in religion and faith (Logos and Apologetics)
- The translation of Hebrew Bible to its Greek version (the Septuagint)
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