Tatian's Address to the Greek – Full Audiobook

Introduction

Welcome to Theoria Audiobooks, an endeavor of Theoria TV! In this session, we present "Tatian's Address to the Greeks," translated by J. Rylands from the "Anti-Nicene Fathers Volume 2," edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and Cleveland Cox, and revised for New Advent by Kevin Knight. The introduction is provided by Benjamin L. Cavendish.

Introduction

"Tatian's Address to the Greeks" was written around 160 AD by Tatian, a former pagan who converted to Christianity after engaging with the teachings of Justin Martyr in Rome. Following Justin's martyrdom, Tatian returned to Syria and established a prominent Christian school. In this address, he critiques the moral decay and philosophical inconsistencies within Greek culture, asserting that many Greek ideals are borrowed from ancient sources. He argues for the moral and scriptural superiority and antiquity of Christian doctrine over Greek philosophy, including a defense of figures like Moses.

Tatian condemns extreme asceticism, which was prevalent among certain sects of early Christianity, a subject of critique by contemporaries like Celsus.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1

Tatian rebukes the Greeks for their disdain towards non-Greeks and claims that many of their concepts have originated from barbaric cultures. He highlights that the Greeks owe much to civilizations like the Babylonians, Persians, and Egyptians.

Chapter 2-4

He critiques notable Greek philosophers such as Diogenes, Aristippus, and Plato for their moral failings and hypocrisy. Tatian underscores that true philosophy should align with virtue and justice.

Chapter 5-6

Tatian explicates Christian doctrines, emphasizing the existence of God as uncreated, and discusses the resurrection of the body, contrasting it with Stoic philosophy.

Chapter 7-14

He elaborates on the creation of man and the inherent freedom granted by God, explaining the distinction between the spirit, the soul, and their moral implications, while criticizing the demonology and fate worship in paganism.

Chapter 15-30

Tatian contrasts the barbaric practices of the Greeks with what he sees as the truth of Christian teachings. He argues that the divine spirit leads believers toward goodness and piety, whereas the Greeks, wrapped in their myths and reminiscent past, stoop to folly without realizing it.

Chapter 31-42

Finally, Tatian establishes a timeline demonstrating that Moses predates Homer, arguing for the superiority and antiquity of Christian thought. He critiques Greek philosophy as lacking foundational truths and encourages a return to God’s revelation.

Tatian’s work serves as both a historical document reflecting the tensions between early Christianity and pagan philosophy and a clarification of the intellectual landscape of the time.

Keyword

Tatian, Address to the Greeks, Christian doctrine, Greek philosophy, moral decay, asceticism, resurrection, spirit, soul, fate, paganism, early Christianity.

FAQ

What is "Tatian's Address to the Greeks"? Tatian's Address to the Greeks is a written work by Tatian, critiquing Greek philosophy and promoting the moral superiority of Christian doctrines.

Who was Tatian? Tatian was a former pagan philosopher who converted to Christianity and became a prominent figure in early Christian scholarship.

When was this work written? The work was written around 160 AD.

What are the main themes of the address? The main themes include critiques of Greek cultural practices, the moral deficiencies of noted philosophers, and the assertion of the superiority of Christian teachings.

What is the significance of this address? The address highlights early Christian thought as a response to paganism and suggests a philosophical foundation aligned with Christian values, providing a pivotal moment in the discourse between these two schools of thought.