The question of the Hellenization of Christianity in the theological heritage of Jaroslav Pelikan

This article presents the theological views of the American scientist Jaroslav Pelikan in the early and late periods of his scientific and spiritual searches. Special attention is paid to his finally formed view, embodied in the works of the middle and the sunset of his academic career. Pelikan’s views are explicated in the context of his criticism of the idea of the Hellenization of Christianity by A. Harnack, as well as in the context of the reception of the idea of Christian Hellenism by Archpriest G. Florovsky. The concept of Hellenization of Christianity is considered by the author from the point of view of three elements: 1) the language and formation of the corpus of Holy Scripture, 2) metaphysics for theological and speculative activity; 3) cult, all of which are compared with the concept of Pelikan. The author of the article claims that Pelikan’s Christian Hellenism has an integral character - all aspects of Christian religiosity are imbued with it. The author pays special attention to Christian metaphysics, through which Pelikan solves the problem of the Hellenization of Christianity. The author shows that the deep transformation of metaphysics was accompanied by a change in the ratio of theoretical and practical aspects in Christian theology in comparison with the ancient worldview. Pelikan’s appeal to the theological heritage of the early Church allows him to speak about the true nature of Christian metaphysics, which A. Harnack overlooked. The author also proposes consideration of Pelikan’s views on Hellenization in the context of his concept of the development of dogma and in the context of the idea of the Living Tradition. The author shows that the concept of Christian Hellenism as an experience of the creative interaction of Christianity and ancient culture is a vivid example of the inculturation of Christianity.