This discipline is being successfully integrated into the Christian's worldview so we may think more clearly about God and His truth, the faulty and futile philosophies of the day, and how we know what we know. 

Read Augustine's thoughts on philosophy....

If those who are called philosophers, particularly the Platonists, have said anything which is true and consistent with our faith, we must not reject it, but claim it for our own use, in the knowledge that they must possess it unlawfully....[P]agan learning is not entirely made up of false teaching and superstitions...It contains also some excellent teachings, well suited to be used by truth, and excellent moral values. Indeed, some truths are even found among them which relate to the worship of the one God.
Augustine, A D 397, de doctrina Christiana