Werner Jaeger's book, "Early Christianity and Greek Paideia," explores the complex relationship between early Christianity and Greek culture. Specifically, it examines how Greek educational ideals, known as "paideia," influenced the development of Christian thought and literature.

Key Points:

Hellenization of Christianity: Jaeger argues that early Christianity was significantly shaped by Hellenistic culture. Greek philosophy, literature, and educational practices were absorbed and adapted by early Christian thinkers.
Paideia as a Bridge: The concept of paideia, which encompassed the Greek ideals of education and cultural formation, served as a bridge between Greek culture and Christian thought. Early Christian writers used the framework of paideia to articulate and defend their faith.
Key Figures: Jaeger discusses important figures like Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Gregory of Nyssa, who played crucial roles in synthesizing Greek philosophy and Christian theology. These figures used Greek intellectual tools to explain and defend Christian beliefs.
Synthesis and Transformation: The book highlights how early Christianity didn't simply adopt Greek paideia wholesale but transformed it. Christian thinkers reinterpreted Greek concepts to align with their theological framework, creating a new form of Christian paideia.
Legacy: Jaeger concludes that the fusion of Greek paideia and Christianity was essential to the development of Western culture. This synthesis shaped Christian theology, literature, and art for centuries to come.

Overall, "Early Christianity and Greek Paideia" is a seminal work that sheds light on the intellectual and cultural context of early Christianity. It demonstrates how the encounter between Christianity and Greek paideia was a pivotal moment in the formation of Western civilization.

Format: Trade Paper Book

Title: Early Christianity and Greek Paideia

Author: Werner Jaeger