John Chrysostom

Christianity's engagement with late antique culture. The specific focus is on the intricate relationship, interaction, and sometimes confrontation between Christianity and Hellenism. The chapter's objectives are twofold: first, to examine the reception of the relationship between Christianity and Hellenism in modern scholarship, and second, to assess John Chrysostom's role within this complex dynamic.



John Chrysostom lived during a pivotal period when Christianity was gradually emerging as the dominant religion within the Roman Empire. His attitude towards Hellenism has historically provoked diverse responses. On one hand, some scholars view him as a proponent of the fruitful encounter between Christian teachings and Hellenic culture, asserting that he played a significant role in the assimilation of Greek culture into the burgeoning Christianity of his time. On the other hand, there are those who label him as a "champion of anti-Hellenism," a characterization that warrants further exploration.