When Athens Met
Jerusalem by John Mark Reynolds is a 266 page
book that discusses the idea that religion and philosophy need each other. The
book asserts that it is a mistake to think that the Christian religion
(Jerusalem) does not need Philosophy (Athens) and vice versa. The
author states, "Christians must recapture the middle way of Augustine and
Chrysostom. Athens and Jerusalem are not two cities, but two districts in one
city: the city of God... Christians must act quickly, for Athens and Jerusalem
are dying and each needs the other to thrive (19, 20)."
The
book is broken up into eleven chapters with a Preface, Introduction
and a Reading List. The reading list contains both primary works and
secondary ones. For the most part the author deals with the Greek philosophers:
the Pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The main bulk of the work is
dedicated to discussing Plato and his works. Five out of the eleven chapters
are devoted to Plato. Aristotle takes up two chapters with the Pr-Socratics and
Socrates taking up one chapter each. When Athens Met Jerusalem is a
wonderful overview and Introduction to Classical and Christian Thought (The
subtitle of the book).
The
book was very well written and clearly the author has spent a lot of time
thinking about and researching this topic. As with any book you will not agree
with everything but there is so much good information and thought provoking
ideas that I would recommend it to anyone interested in the topic or for those
who have a background in Classical Christian thought and desire a refresher.
You can buy it Here.
