Stoicism

1/3/19           Eric (video HERE)

An inspiration for my gospel outreach conversations would be Paul the Apostle, who in Acts 17 is described as being out reasoning for his faith “…in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.”  One of the places he carried on these conversations was at the Aeropogas in Athens, also known as Mars Hill, where it was said that “All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.”

I often find a modern day “Mars Hill” at our local coffee shops, where many people are open to discussing new ideas in religion and philosophy.  One of those people was Eric, who graciously allowed me to record our conversation in a crowded coffeeshop study room where most everyone could hear us talk.

Eric reminded me of Paul’s experiences at Mars Hill because he favors the Stoic philosophy, and Paul was speaking with “A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (who) began to debate with him”. 

But I’m not so sure that Eric and I felt the need to debate, because I don’t believe all the ideas of Stoicism are necessarily contradictory to the Gospel.   It teaches the importance of serving a higher power rather than living for ourselves; of living out a quiet life of worship, rather than making an outward show of it; of developing both mental and physical self-discipline; and service to humanity in general rather than entirely favoring one’s own tribe. 

This is not to say that all the ideas of the Stoic philosophy are compatible to Christianity, however.  In Christianity, our relationship with our Heavenly Father is emphasized and can create strong emotion, rather than a distant divinity that creates a cool detachment.  Christianity involves both the head and the heart, which can be seen by Stoics as irrational, and in Christianity there is an enemy in the devil and a reliance on God to overcome evil, whereas in Stoicism there is a strong emphasis on self-help through attitude adjustment.

The bottom line for me is in the difference between a religion and a philosophy.  Stoicism really only offers a good way to live, while Christianity offers a salvation that begins in this life buts gives great hope for the next.  Just as science can only add to the revelatory knowledge of the Bible with rational knowledge in a universe ordered by its Creator, so are philosophies such as Stoicism but a mere subset of the Gospel.  All truth is God’s truth, and there is some truth and virtue found in Stoicism as well as falsehood.  Another way to put it is that there may be both Stoic Christians along with non-Stoic Christians in heaven, but there won’t be Stoics there who are non-Christians.

I believe Paul set a good example on Mars Hill because he was able to find truths that he had in common with his audience, and then built upon them.  An example is the way he began his address to the council there: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god.  So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”

Paul did not experience his greatest success in Athens, and only spent a relatively brief time there.  It would take much time for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts and minds.  But he played his part in carrying out the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations, and we can do likewise.

PS – Thanks to Eric for allowing me to record our conversation.  Sorry I had to get going during your business call, and I would love to continue our conversation sometime soon.  It can be seen HERE