Neoplatonism is a school of thought in philosophy that arose in the 3rd century AD and was heavily influenced by the teachings of Plato and earlier Platonists. At its core, Neoplatonism taught that there is a supreme, perfect, and transcendent reality which could be grasped through philosophical contemplation.
Some key teachings of Neoplatonism include:
The Hierarchy of Reality
Neoplatonists believed that there is a hierarchy of being from the highest most perfect reality (the One) down to the physical world. At the top of this hierarchy is the One, the supreme source of all existence, which is utterly simple, perfect, eternal and unchanging. The One emanates or radiates downward, producing the next level of reality called the Divine Mind or Intellect. The Intellect contemplates the perfection of the One and produces the next level, the World Soul. The World Soul governs and produces the physical world.
This hierarchy demonstrates that all of reality emanates from the One, with each successive level being farther removed from divine perfection. The goal of philosophy and life for Neoplatonists was to ascend back towards unity with the One through contemplation and detachment from the physical.
“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
The Human Soul
Neoplatonists believed that the human soul is immaterial and immortal. It serves as an intermediary between the perfection of the higher realms and the imperfection of the physical world. When incarnated in a body, the soul forgets its divine origins and becomes focused on and attached to the material world.
Neoplatonists thought philosophy and contemplation could purify the soul, turning it away from the distractions of the body and physical world and back toward its true nature and origin in the higher realms. Death releases the soul back to its proper home until it becomes incarnated again.
“What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-43)
Ascent to the One
A core aim of Neoplatonism was guiding the soul back to unity with the One through philosophical contemplation and intuition. To aid this, Neoplatonists engaged in contemplative exercises and detached themselves from physical pleasures and distractions.
The method of ascent proceeded through levels of virtue, starting with civic virtues, then purifying virtues to cleanse the soul of bodily attachments, and finally contemplative virtues. Contemplation of the First Principle (the One) would release the soul from remaining illusions so it could directly unite with the source of being.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 3:20)
Later Developments
Plotinus is considered the founder of Neoplatonism in the 3rd century AD. Other notable Neoplatonists include Porphyry, Iamblichus, Proclus, and Damascius. Over time, Neoplatonism absorbed influences from Aristotelianism, Stoicism, Gnosticism, and eastern philosophy.
Neoplatonism remained an influential philosophical school until the 6th century AD when the Christian church condemned it. Nonetheless, its ideas had significant impact on early Christian theology as well as Islamic and Jewish thought in the middle ages. Traces of Neoplatonic thought can still be found in western philosophy, metaphysics, and mysticism today.
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Core Teachings
To summarize some of the core teachings of Neoplatonism:
– There is a supreme transcendent reality called the One or the Good which is the source of all existence.
– Emanation produces all levels of reality in a hierarchy from the divine One down to the material world.
– The human soul is immortal and seeks to return to unity with the One.
– Philosophy and contemplation allow the soul to ascend back to the One by detachment from the physical world.
– Civic, purifying, and contemplative virtues aid the soul’s journey of ascent.
– Later Neoplatonism incorporated diverse philosophical and religious influences.
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)
Criticisms and Issues
While influential for many centuries, Neoplatonism has also faced criticisms on some points:
– Its concept of emanation teaching that reality proceeds from the One is difficult to reconcile with God’s creation of the world ex nihilo (out of nothing) as Christianity maintains.
– The position that matter and the physical world are flawed or evil conflicts with Christianity’s teaching that God’s creation is fundamentally good.
– Neoplatonism’s tendency toward pantheism (all is divine) differs from Christianity’s clear distinction between Creator and creation.
– Its goal of human salvation through philosophical contemplation diverges from Christianity’s view of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Influence on Christian Thought
Despite some fundamental conflicts, Neoplatonism did influence Christian philosophical and theological development in the Patristic period. Some examples include:
– Neoplatonic concepts of reality as a hierarchy and the role of intermediaries between God and creation helped shape understandings of angels and heavenly powers.
– Ideas about the human soul’s divinity and immortality affected beliefs about the afterlife and mysticism.
– Neoplatonic thought contributed to theologians’ articulation of the Trinity as one divine essence with three persons.
– Pseudo-Dionysius (5th-6th century) drew heavily from Proclus to develop negative theology (defining God by what He is not).
– Augustine incorporated some Neoplatonic views, especially on the soul’s journey to God, which he reinterpreted from a Christian perspective.
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition…” (Colossians 2:8)
Summary
In summary, Neoplatonism was a influential school of thought begun by Plotinus that proposed emanation from a perfect divine source down a hierarchy to the material world. It aimed to free the immortal soul from bodily attachments through philosophical contemplation to return to unity with the supreme One. While diverging from Christianity on important points, Neoplatonism did impact early Christian theology and philosophy as thinkers sought to articulate Christian doctrines. Ultimately Scripture warns followers of Christ not to be captive to any human philosophical system but to be rooted in biblical truth.