Philo of Alexandria: Evangelicals Need to Face the Facts!

Philo of Alexandria, a Jewish philosopher who lived during the 1st century BCE and early 1st century CE, stands as a remarkable figure at the crossroads of Jewish theology and Greek philosophy. Born around 20 BCE and living until approximately 50 CE, Philo was a contemporary of Jesus of Nazareth, though he appears to have been unaware of Jesus or the emerging Christian movement. His intellectual work prefigured many ideas that would later shape Christian thought, particularly his concept of the Logos, which would resonate deeply with the theology of the Gospel of John. Living in Alexandria, a vibrant cultural hub where Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Jewish ideas converged, Philo sought to harmonize the Hebrew Scriptures with the philosophical traditions of Plato and the Stoics. By doing so, he created a theological framework that influenced early Christianity, even as he remained firmly rooted in Judaism.

As stated earlier, Philo of Alexandria, a Jewish philosopher, is one of the most fascinating figures bridging the gap between Jewish theology, Greek philosophy, and early Christian thought. He is often seen as a pioneer in harmonizing religious belief with reason, primarily through his concept of the Logos and its relationship to God. While his work didn't receive immediate widespread recognition, its influence reverberates through history, notably shaping theological discussions in Christianity and beyond.

To understand Philo’s philosophy and his contribution, it helps to first consider the intellectual environment he lived in. Alexandria, Egypt, where Philo spent most of his life, was a melting pot of cultures—Greek, Jewish, Egyptian, and Roman. Greek philosophy, particularly Platonic and Stoic ideas, dominated the intellectual scene, while Judaism provided a robust monotheistic worldview. For Philo, reconciling the Hebrew Scriptures with Greek philosophy was not a contradiction but a necessity. He believed that truth was one, regardless of where it came from, and that the ultimate truth—about God and the universe—could be revealed through both philosophy and religion.

Philo's Concept of the Logos

Philo's most significant and enduring idea centers on the Logos. The word Logos comes from Greek philosophy, particularly the Stoics, where it referred to the rational principle that orders and sustains the universe. It was essentially the underlying logic or reason behind all existence. Philo took this concept and infused it with profound theological meaning, connecting it to his Jewish understanding of God.

In Philo's writings, the Logos is a bridge between the infinite, transcendent God and the finite, material world. God, in Philo’s thought, is beyond comprehension and utterly transcendent. He exists in a realm of pure being, far removed from the limitations of human thought or language. This makes God unknowable in His essence. However, Philo argues that God can be known through His actions, His creation, and His intermediaries. This is where the Logos comes in.

Philo describes the Logos as the “word” or “reason” of God—a divine agent or instrument through which God created and interacts with the world. Drawing from the Hebrew Scriptures, Philo connects the Logos to passages where God speaks creation into existence. For example, in Genesis 1, when God says, “Let there be light,” Philo interprets this act of speaking as mediated by the Logos. The Logos is the divine blueprint, the ordering principle that brings harmony and structure to the cosmos.

To put it simply, God is the source, and the Logos is the means. The Logos is like an architect or craftsman, taking the perfect ideas in God’s mind and shaping them into the material world. Philo even calls the Logos the "firstborn of God," not in a literal sense, but to indicate that it is the first and most significant manifestation of God’s will. The Logos is divine, yet distinct from the ultimate unknowable God.

Logos as Mediator

A central theme in Philo’s thought is mediation. The Logos functions as a mediator between God and creation. This is necessary, Philo argues, because the gap between God and the world is too vast. God’s transcendence means that He cannot directly interact with the finite, imperfect material realm without some intermediary. The Logos serves this purpose, maintaining a connection between God’s perfection and the world’s imperfection.

Philo often describes the Logos in almost personal terms. He refers to it as God’s “image” and “high priest,” implying that the Logos intercedes on behalf of humanity. This gives the Logos a role not only in creation but also in revelation and redemption. Through the Logos, God reveals Himself to humanity, providing wisdom and guidance. The Logos is like a bridge of light, bringing divine truth down to a level humans can understand.

The Logos and the Soul

Philo also extends the role of the Logos to the human soul. He believed that human beings, created in the image of God, possess a spark of the divine Logos within them. This idea closely mirrors the Platonic notion of the soul’s participation in the eternal forms. According to Philo, the Logos functions as the rational principle within the human soul, enabling people to seek God, understand truth, and rise above their material limitations.

This spiritual ascent, for Philo, is the ultimate purpose of life. By turning away from the distractions of the physical world and aligning oneself with the Logos, a person can draw closer to God. In this way, the Logos not only serves as a cosmic principle but also as a guide for ethical and spiritual transformation.

Influence on Later Thought

While Philo remained firmly rooted in Judaism, his ideas, especially about the Logos, had a profound influence on early Christianity. The Gospel of John, written decades after Philo’s time, begins with a strikingly similar concept: “In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This passage reflects a clear theological evolution but shows how Philo’s Logos paved the way for understanding Christ as the divine Word. In Christian theology, Jesus becomes the Logos incarnate—the perfect mediator between God and humanity, fully divine yet dwelling in the material world.

Philo’s influence doesn’t stop there. Early Church Fathers, such as Clement of Alexandria and Origen, drew heavily on his writings to articulate their own theological frameworks. Philo’s ideas about God’s transcendence, the role of intermediaries, and the harmony between reason and faith helped shape the intellectual foundations of Christian theology.

Why Philo Matters Today

Philo of Alexandria is often overlooked in discussions of philosophy and theology, yet his contributions are invaluable. By synthesizing Greek philosophy and Jewish theology, he created a framework that allowed religion and reason to coexist harmoniously. His concept of the Logos provides a way to understand how an infinite God can relate to a finite world without compromising His transcendence.

Philo’s ideas also offer a timeless reminder that truth can be found in unexpected places. He didn’t see philosophy as a threat to his faith but as a tool to deepen his understanding of God. In a world where faith and reason are often seen as opposing forces, Philo’s work serves as a bridge—a call to explore, question, and seek unity in our understanding of the divine.

Philo’s concept of the Logos was groundbreaking. It brought together the wisdom of Greek philosophy and the revelation of Jewish scripture into a coherent whole. The Logos as the divine intermediary, creator, and guide provides a rich and meaningful way to think about God’s relationship to the world. While Philo himself remains a mysterious figure, his ideas continue to shine, influencing theology, philosophy, and spirituality across generations.