Folia Theologica 17. (2006)
László Perendy: A Christian Platonist
176 L. PERENDY Xéyoucnv f|p.eîç 8è KpeÍTTÓv ti twv peTaßaXXopevtov vooDpev tôv ttüvtwv TTotr|Tfiv 9eóv.) If, then, on some points we teach the same things as the poets and philosophers whom we honor, and on other points are more complete and worthy of God [in our teaching], and if we alone offer proof, why are we unjustly hated above all others? For while we say that all things have been ordered and made by God, we will appear to utter the teaching of Plato; and while we say there will be a destruction by fire, that of the Stoics; and while we declare that the souls of the unrighteous will be punished after death, still remaining conscious, and those of the righteous being delivered from punishment enjoy blessedness, we will appear to say the same things as the poets and philosophers; and while we maintain that people ought not to worship the works of their hands we say the very things which have been said by the comic poet Menander, and others who have said this, for they have declared that the Demiurge is greater than the things formed." (XX. 1-5.) In Chapter 59 he explains his views - which may seem to be curious for us at first sight - that the similarities between the doctrines of the Christians and those of Plato are due to the fact that the Greek philosopher took his views from Moses. For example Timaeus 51a7-8 and 69b8-cl are taken from Genesis 1,1-3: "And that you may learn that it was from our teachers - we mean from the Word through the prophets - that Plato took his statement that God made the Universe by changing formless matter ("Iva 8è Kai Trapà tcov f|p.eTepwv SiSacrraXaiv, Xéyogev 8è toû Aóyou toû 8ià t(3v TTpo<l>r|Tci)v <XaXijo'avToç>, XaßovTa tôv îlXâTœva pa0r|Te [tô] eiTretv "'TXriv âpopcjxrv oùcrav Tpéi[iavTa tôv 9eôv Koapov TToifjcrai,"), hear the precise words spoken through Moses, who, as shown above, was the first prophet and older than the Greek writers; through whom the prophetic Spirit, signifying how and from what God fashioned the Universe, spoke thus; 'in the beginning God made the heaven and the earth. And the earth was invisible and unfurnished, and darkness was over the abyss; and the Spirit of God moved over the waters. And God said, let there be light. And it was so.' So that both Plato and his followers and we ourselves have learned, and you may learn, that the whole Universe came into being by the Word of God out of the substratum spoken of before by Moses. And that which the poets call Erebus we know was formerly spoken of by Moses." (LIX. 1-6.)
