早期基督教对跨文化对话的处理路径 [Sirens, Bees and „the Silver and Gold of the Egyptians‟: On Early Christian Approaches to Cross-Cultural Dialogue ]

Abstract

Early Christians had to relate to the legacy of Greek culture, its many stories, classical texts, its philosophy and traditions; in short Greek learning (paideia). Christians did not hold unanimous views on the issues involved here. While some withdrew from cultural and intellectual exchange, and thus paved the way for isolationism, others advocated this exchange. They even argued on the basis of the Bible that such exchange was beneficial. The present article investigates three of the most important analogies drawn upon by these advocates, that is the story of Odysseus and the Sirens, bees collecting from various flowers and making honey thereof, and the biblical story of the “Silver and Gold of the Egyptians.”