Early Christian Views on Pythagoras and Greek Philosophy
Early Christians did not all speak about Greek philosophy the same way. Justin, Clement, Origen, Hippolytus, Theophilus, Tertullian, and Lactantius often treated it as mixed: some ideas could be useful, but it was not the final guide to truth. They also warned that philosophy could become divided, proud, or wrong when it stood apart from Christ and Scripture.
96 early-church witnesses · 187 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about pythagoras and Greek Philosophy?
Early Christian writers often treated Pythagoras and Greek philosophy as partly true but incomplete, and at times as a source of error or even heresy. Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Hippolytus, Theophilus, Tertullian, and Lactantius all discuss Pythagoras or philosophy, with some saying Greek thinkers borrowed from older sources and others arguing that philosophy breaks into many conflicting schools.
The strongest line is not that Christians rejected all philosophy, but that they judged it by Christ and Scripture, and warned that philosophy can be empty, divided, or misleading when it stands apart from God. The evidence is broad across major early writers, but it is mixed because the same authors can praise some philosophical insight while also criticizing Greek schools and Pythagorean ideas.
Direct early Christian teaching is stronger on the dangers and limits of philosophy than on Pythagoras alone. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christians often judged Greek philosophy by whether it agreed with Christ and Scripture.
- Justin and Clement could speak respectfully about some Greek ideas, while Tertullian and Lactantius stressed philosophy's limits and divisions.
- Hippolytus and Origen linked Pythagorean ideas to later false teaching or to claims about borrowed wisdom.
- The main Christian concern was not the word 'philosophy' itself, but whether it led people away from the truth.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did the early Christians think Greek philosophy was true wisdom?
Several writers say philosophy can contain useful insights, but they also insist it is divided, incomplete, or not equal to the wisdom of God. The Bible passages most often used here warn against philosophy that is not according to Christ and contrast Greek wisdom with God’s wisdom.
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Justin Martyr, Hortatory Address to the Greeks Direct teaching
And Pythagoras, son of Mnesarchus, who expounded the doctrines of his own philosophy, mystically by means of symbols, as those who have written his life show, himself seems to have entertained thoughts about the unity of God not unworthy of his foreign residence in Egypt.
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
...counts of this kind in the writings of Chrysippus of Soli, and also some similar things relating to Pythagoras, as well as in some more recent writers who lived only a short time ago. For example, there is the treatise of Plutarch of Chaeronea on the Soul, and the second book of the work by Numenius the Pythagorean on the Incorruptibility of the Soul. Now, when the Greeks tell such accounts, especially their philosophers, people do not receive them with mockery and ridicule, or regard them as fictions and fables. But when those who are devoted to the God of all things, and who endure every kind of harm, even death itself, rather than let a falsehood about God pass their lips, speak of appearances of angels that they themselves have seen, they are considered unworthy of belief, and their words are not regarded as true! It is against sound reason to judge in this way about whether people are speaking truth or falsehood. For honest people, only after a long and careful examination of the details of a matter, slowly and cautiously give their opinion about whether this or that person is truthful or false in reporting marvelous things. For it is true that not all people show themselve
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
...Pittacus. Solon made laws for the Athenians, and Pittacus for the Mitylenians. And at a later time, Pythagoras, the pupil of Pherecydes, was the first to call himself a philosopher. Accordingly, after the three men mentioned earlier, there were three schools of philosophy, named after the places where they lived: the Italic school from Pythagoras, the Ionic from Thales, and the Eleatic from Xenophanes. Pythagoras was a Samian, the son of Mnesarchus, as Hippobotus says. But according to Aristoxenus, in his Life of Pythagoras, and according to Aristarchus and Theopompus, he was a Tuscan. And according to Neanthes, he was a Syrian or a Tyrian. So, according to most people, Pythagoras was of barbarian descent. Thales too, as Leander and Herodotus relate, was a Phoenician, though some think he was a Milesian. He alone seems to have met the prophets of the Egyptians. But no one is named as his teacher, and no one is mentioned as the teacher of Pherecydes of Syros, whose pupil was Pythagoras. But the Italic philosophy, that of Pythagoras, grew old in Metapontum in Italy. Anaximander of Miletus, the son of Praxiades, succeeded Thales, and Anaximenes of Miletus, the son of Eurustratus, s
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
...self is not the cause of the ship being pulled, but only together with the others. In the same way, philosophy, which is the search for truth, helps us understand the truth. It is not the cause of understanding by itself, but a cause along with other things, and a co-worker. Perhaps it may also be called a joint-cause. And just as several virtues are causes of one person’s happiness, and just as the sun, fire, a bath, and clothing all help one person become warm, so also truth is one, yet many things help in the search for it. But its discovery is through the Son. If we think carefully, virtue is one in its power. But when it appears in different matters, it is called prudence in some cases, temperance in others, and in others courage or righteousness. By the same comparison, truth is one, yet in geometry there is the truth of geometry, in music the truth of music, and in the right philosophy there will be Hellenic truth. But the only true and secure truth, which cannot be overthrown, is that in which we are taught by the Son of God. In the same way, we say that a drachma is one and the same coin. But when it is given to the shipmaster, it is called fare; to the tax collector, t
More related quotations from this section 1 shown
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Gregory Thaumaturgus, Oration to Origen Supporting witness
He was also the first and only man who urged me to study the philosophy of the Greeks. By his own moral example, he persuaded me both to listen to moral teaching and to hold fast to it. At that time, no other philosophers had won me over to that. I admit that again. It was not right on my part. But, sadly, it turned out to my harm, as I may say without exaggeration. At first, however, I did not associate with many, but only with a few who claimed to be teachers. Yet, in truth, all of them established their philosophy only in words. This man, however, was the first who moved me to practice philosophy by his words, because he showed the call to it by his deeds before he gave it in words. He did not merely repeat carefully prepared sayings. No, he did not even think it right to speak on the subject at all except with a sincere mind, and with a mind earnestly set on carrying out in practice the things he expressed. All the while, he tried to show in his character that he was like the man he describes in his discourses as the person who will live a noble life. Indeed, he always displayed in himself, I would say, the pattern of the wise man. But since our discussion at the beginning prop
Did early Christians say Greek philosophy borrowed from Jews or Egyptians?
Some early Christian writers explicitly say Pythagoras or other Greek thinkers drew from Jewish books, Egyptian learning, or barbarian philosophy. These sources use that claim to argue that Greek philosophy was not an independent source of ultimate truth.
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Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching
It is said, moreover, that Hermippus has recorded in his first book, On Lawgivers, that it was from the Jewish people that Pythagoras derived the philosophy which he introduced among the Greeks.
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Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Direct teaching
The heresy of Valentinus is clearly connected with the theories of Pythagoras and Plato. For Plato, in the Timaeus, draws his ideas entirely from Pythagoras, and so Timaeus himself is his Pythagorean foreigner. Therefore, it seems useful for us to begin by reminding the reader of a few points from the theories of Pythagoras and Plato, and then to explain the opinions of Valentinus. For even though the books we finished earlier, with so much effort, contain the opinions put forward by both Pythagoras and Plato, I still will not be acting unreasonably if I now also call to the reader's memory, by means of a summary, the main points of the favorite teachings of these thinkers. And this review will help us understand the doctrines of Valentinus through a closer comparison and through the similarity in the way the two systems are put together. For Pythagoras and Plato originally got these teachings from the Egyptians and introduced their new opinions among the Greeks. But Valentinus took his opinions from them. Although he has hidden the truth about what he owed to these Greek philosophers, and has tried in this way to build a doctrine that seems to be especially his own, in fact he has
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching
...hat the philosopher mentioned above drew a great deal from this source, for he was very learned, as Pythagoras also was, who transferred many things from our books into his own system of teachings." And Numenius, the Pythagorean philosopher, writes plainly: "For what is Plato, but Moses speaking in Attic Greek?" This Moses was a theologian and prophet, and, as some say, an interpreter of sacred laws. His family, his deeds, and his life are related by the Scriptures themselves, which are completely trustworthy. But we must also tell them ourselves as well as we can.
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Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Direct teaching
The Celtic Druids studied Pythagorean philosophy to the highest degree, after Zamolxis, a Thracian by birth and a servant of Pythagoras, became the one who introduced this teaching to them. After the death of Pythagoras, Zamolxis went there and became the one who introduced this philosophy to them. The Celts regard these men as prophets and seers, because by the Pythagorean art they foretold certain events to them through calculations and numbers. We also will not remain silent about the methods of this art, since from these methods some have dared to introduce heresies. But the Druids also practice magical rites.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
as also Pythagoras did with the same persons, by whom he was circumcised, that he might enter the adytum and learn from the Egyptians the mystic philosophy.
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Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Supporting witness
Now after the death of Pythagoras, Zamolxis, repairing there, became to them the originator of this philosophy.
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Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Direct teaching
...nus, as we have proved, gathered the materials of his heresy. Therefore he may rightly be counted a Pythagorean and Platonist, not a Christian. So Valentinus, Heracleon, Ptolemaeus, and that whole school of heretics, as disciples of Pythagoras and Plato and as followers of those guides, made the arithmetical system the basic principle of their doctrine. For according to these Valentinians, the first cause of the universe is a Monad: unbegotten, imperishable, incomprehensible, inconceivable, productive, and the cause of the generation of all existing things. And this Monad, mentioned above, is called by them Father. There is, however, a considerable difference of opinion among them. Some of them, so that the Pythagorean teaching of Valentinus may be completely free from mixture with other doctrines, suppose that the Father is without female counterpart, unwedded, and solitary. But others, thinking it impossible that from a male alone there could come any generation at all of the things that have been brought into existence, necessarily include with the Father of the universe Sige as a spouse, so that he may be a father. But whether Sige is ever joined in marriage to the Father or
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Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Supporting witness
And next in this manner (I shall elucidate) those (opinions) which Valentinus derives from Pythagoras and Plato, but refers with all solemnity of speech to Christ, and before Christ to the Father of the universe, and to Silence conjoined with the Father.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Background
Now the Pythagorean symbols were connected with the Barbarian philosophy in the most recondite way.
How did early Christians describe Pythagoras’ philosophy?
The sources repeatedly describe Pythagoras as a founder of a philosophical school tied to numbers, harmony, the monad, and symbolic teaching. They also note that his influence spread into later schools and that his name became important in explaining Greek philosophical succession.
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Colossians 2:8 Direct teaching
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
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1 Corinthians 1:22 Supporting witness
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
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1 Corinthians 2:6 Supporting witness
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
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Acts 17:28 Background
for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
Common Questions
Did early Christians reject Greek philosophy?
Not always. Some, like Justin and Clement, used parts of it, but many warned that philosophy is divided, uncertain, or not enough by itself.
What did early Christians say about Pythagoras?
They often treated him as an important Greek thinker, but some said his ideas were borrowed, mixed with mystery teaching, or used by later heretics.
Did early Christians think philosophy could be dangerous?
Yes. Writers like Origen, Hippolytus, Tertullian, and Lactantius warned that philosophy can be empty, conflicting, or misleading when it is not ruled by Christ.
Source Index for Pythagoras and Greek Philosophy
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 187 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 96
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 80 shown of 91
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