How did Neoplatonism shape Saint Augustine's theology?

Saint Augustine was heavily influenced by Hellenistic philosophy, particularly the Neoplatonism of early thinkers like Plotinus and Porphyry before his conversion to Christianity. After being baptized by Saint Ambrose, he integrated these Platonic notions into Christian theology and mysticism, laying a foundation for Western Christian thought. His adoption of Platonic concepts included understanding Plato's Forms as the thoughts of God.

What we know

• Before converting to Christianity, Saint Augustine was drawn to Manichaeism and subsequently to the Hellenistic philosophy of Neoplatonism. [2]
• In the West, Saint Augustine of Hippo was notably influenced by early Neoplatonists such as Plotinus and Porphyry. [4, 5]
• Neoplatonism became a major influence on Christian mysticism in the West through Saint Augustine, forming foundations for Western Christian thought. [5]
• Many Platonic notions were adopted by the Christian church by understanding Plato's Forms as God's thoughts. [5]

Where to go next

• the bigger pictureWho were the primary early Neoplatonist thinkers?
• whoHow did Saint Ambrose influence Augustine's conversion?
• what followedWhat role did Neoplatonism play in medieval Christian mysticism?
• whereWhere was Augustine of Hippo born and raised?
• how it workedHow does Plato's theory of Forms define abstract objects?
• an unexpected connectionHow did ancient pagan philosophy feed into Christian mysticism?Neoplatonism, a pagan philosophical tradition rooted in Plotinus, became a central vehicle for Western Christian mysticism through Augustine interpreting its metaphysical concepts through a Christian lens.

Sources

• [1]Augustine of Hippo (Wikidata Q8018) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Augustine of Hippo · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Neoplatonism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Neoplatonism and Christianity · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Platonism · CC BY-SA 4.0