Author Description

Philo of Alexandria, according to Cardinal Danielou, represents the first attempt to correct Greek philosophical thought with biblical revelation. Philo was a faithful Jew who studiously avoided syncretism with pagan religion: biblical worship could only be radically monotheistic. But Philo represents more than a spiritual master; he inaugurated Judeo-Christian philosophy itself. But even here, Philo avoided syncretism with Platonism and remained highly orthodox. Modifying Greek philosophy at the points where it conflicted with biblical revelation, Philo built the fundamentals of a Judeo-Christian way of looking at the world that would have a profound influence for centuries to come.