From Aristotle to Christ: How Ancient Philosophy Prepared the Way for the Gospel

📖 Episode Summary

In this episode of The Faith Roundtable, Josh Burtram sits down with Dr. Louis Markos to discuss his latest book, From Aristotle to Christ (IVP, September release). Dr. Markos, who holds the Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities at Houston Christian University, explains how Greek philosophy laid the groundwork for the gospel’s reception and development in the early church.

Listeners will learn how Plato’s vision of transcendent forms prepared people to understand ultimate reality, and how Aristotle’s emphasis on logic, categories of thought, and teleology clarified key Christian doctrines such as the incarnation, the imago Dei, and ethics. The conversation also highlights why general revelation matters, why logic still undergirds faith today, and how Christians can push back against modern scientism by reclaiming the philosophical tools that shaped Western civilization.

This engaging dialogue helps believers appreciate the intellectual heritage of both Athens and Jerusalem—and why recovering it matters for the church’s witness in today’s skeptical world.

👤 Guest Bio

Dr. Louis Markos is a Professor of English and Scholar in Residence at Houston Christian University, where he holds the Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities. He earned his PhD at the University of Michigan and has written extensively on classical literature, philosophy, and Christian apologetics. His books include From Achilles to Christ, From Plato to Christ, The Myth Made Fact, Apologetics in the 21st Century, and On the Shoulders of Hobbits. His newest book, From Aristotle to Christ (InterVarsity Press), continues his project of showing how classical thought prepared the way for Christianity.

🔗 Show Notes Links

📘 From Aristotle to Christ (IVP page / preorder)

🛒 From Aristotle to Christ (Amazon)

📚 Louis Markos Amazon Author Page

🎥 Louis Markos YouTube Channel

🌐 HCU Faculty Bio (Louis Markos, PhD)

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