The rise of the Christian influence on philosophy began with St. Augustine and his addressing numerous contemporary philosophies, and expanding upon them. In particular it was his extension of platonic thought, as well as his rejection of skepticism, that drew him into the forefront. Furthermore, much as Plato laid the foundation for philosophy Augustine laid the Christian foundation (theology) to philosophy. (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 78-83) St. Thomas Aquinas followed on Augustine's philosophy, but in turn relied on Aristotle instead of Plato (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 88). Aquinas then served to solidify the separation of theology and philosophy into two separate fields of thought (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 89).

One of the greatest accomplishments of the rise of Christian influence on philosophy was to metaphysics. Through Augustine's work on the concept of creation ex nihlo provided the most compelling explanation of existence (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 81). Furthermore, by the appeal to metaphysical origin of man it provided a foundation for the accompanying philosophy. Secondarily, both through Augustine's philosophy, and his direct refutation, he significantly damaged the skeptics philosophy (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 83). Importantly, through Augustine's establishment of a ordered and logical universe and creation established the basis for his principle of noncontradiction; and ultimately his basis for his argument against skeptical thought. As a tertiary benefit Augustine's work served as an apology for the basis for Christianity, and helped bring it into mainstream acceptance (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 79).

In Aquinas' solidification of the division between philosophy and theology he provided a basis for scientific thought. Furthermore, based on his metaphysics of an orderly universe this provided an apology for scientific thought and exploration free from Church persecution (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 87). Secondarily, Aquinas provided his "proofs for the existence of God" (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p. 91). While argued later they formed the basis, and starting point, for the metrics to establish proof of the eternal.

Both Aquinas and Augustine used their metaphysic of creation ex nihlo as a framework, and principle philosophical issue, for their philosophy. Ultimately, it is the metaphysical issue that has most shaped philosophical thought. This is seen both through the acceptance of that position to the other extreme of nihilism.

References

Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. (2005). Philosophy: The power of ideas. New York: McGraw-Hill.