Tertullian versus Clement of AlexandriaIn the articles of Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria it is found that both men adhere to the Christian religion but do not agree on the essence of Greek philosophy and learning according to Christianity. Tertullian was originally from Carthage and therefore probably exposed to many Greek teachings. He became a Christian and openly opposed pagans and sophists (or “heretics”), as well as emphasizing the “sacredness of life and the Christian horror of violence.” He believed that Greek philosophy was essentially nonsense and only led people to question the Christian religion. Clement of Alexandria was a Greek Christian theologian who combined Christianity with Platonism. He credited Greek teachings with the foundation of Christianity, acting as a “schoolmaster” for the Greeks, preparing them for Christianity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Tertullian was very familiar with Greek philosophy and teachings when he was growing up in Carthage. When he became a Christian he probably found himself among the Greek philosophers who questioned all aspects of the faith, using their techniques to dissect it and make it logical. Tertullian was frustrated by this and felt that Greek philosophy was holding them back from believing and basically subscribed to the "blind faith" approach. In the article he spoke of Aristotle who taught "the art of dialectics" and went on to say "the art that destroys as much as it builds". Tertullian also followed with further condemnations of what he saw as the intellectual redundancy and absurdity of Greek philosophy. Tertullian was clearly frustrated with the sophists because they questioned and did not blindly adhere to the Christian religion. In contrast, Clement of Alexandria, who successfully combined Christianity with Platonism, defended Greek culture while remaining a Christian theologian. Clement says that philosophy is the "clear image of truth" and that "philosophy served as a schoolmaster to the Greeks, preparing them for Christ, as the laws of the Jews prepared them for Christ." For him, Greek philosophy simply opened the way to the teachings of God, "shaping the character and adapting the believer in Providence to the reception of truth." He further added that by studying Greek teachings, with particular attention to geometry, music, grammar, and philosophy, Christians could wisely defend their faith and protect it from attack. Unlike Tertullian, when Clement of Alexandria became a Christian he did not feel the need to renounce Greek teachings and rather used them to support the Christian religion. This difference in thought and belief between Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria may have been due to their place and time in which they wrote the articles. Tertullian may have been surrounded by condescending and threatening philosophers at the time the article was written. Tertullian's article appears to have been written in haste and frustration; frustration obviously caused by the sophists. In the article written by Clement of Alexandria there is a sense of comfort and wisdom. He seemed to have written it after much contemplation and observation. Clement may not have been surrounded by unbelieving, bullying sophists. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay There may be numerous explanations as to why Tertullian rejected Greek teachings while Clement of Alexandria supported them. Both, however, believed in Christianity.