A REVIEW OF STOICISM
Stoicism gained popularity in Paul's time and he was at odds with its teaching because of its antithetical principles opposite of Christianity and the authority of God. Stoics believed that such things as greed, lust, ambition, etc. were diseases of the mind that could be remedied by "right thinking" education and reason (Hubbard, M., 2012 &2016). This doctrine was pushed by Zeno (early 3rd C.), heavily influenced by Socrates. Paul, of course, acknowledged that while the mind was the epicenter of moral deficiency he contested that the only remedy for erroneous behavior or ideology was through the power of the Holy Spirit residing within the believer (Hubbard, 2012 & 2016).
The Stoics taught that, “the wise person is self-sufficient” (Hubbard, 2012 & 2016) and that love is a dangerous trait that results in treacherous emotional attachments and endangered self-sufficiency (Hubbard, 2012 & 2016). There are around 100 occurrences of the use of love in Paul's letters and was presented as a "paramount virtue" (Hubbard, 2012 & 2016) in the Christian's life. Paul's teaching and a letter to the Romans indicates the truth and would certainly have frustrated a devoted Stoic. Paul's truth-telling is reinforced by Romans 7:6 says, "but now we have been released from the law, because we have died to that by which we were bound, so that we may serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter of the law"(Lexham English Bible, 2012).
Hubbard, M. (2012, 2016). Paul and the Stoics. In Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Have you ever heard of Stoicism? What is your opinion of their abrasive position of morality?
Stoicism gained popularity in Paul's time and he was at odds with its teaching because of its antithetical principles opposite of Christianity and the authority of God. Stoics believed that such things as greed, lust, ambition, etc. were diseases of the mind that could be remedied by "right thinking" education and reason (Hubbard, M., 2012 &2016). This doctrine was pushed by Zeno (early 3rd C.), heavily influenced by Socrates. Paul, of course, acknowledged that while the mind was the epicenter of moral deficiency he contested that the only remedy for erroneous behavior or ideology was through the power of the Holy Spirit residing within the believer (Hubbard, 2012 & 2016).
The Stoics taught that, “the wise person is self-sufficient” (Hubbard, 2012 & 2016) and that love is a dangerous trait that results in treacherous emotional attachments and endangered self-sufficiency (Hubbard, 2012 & 2016). There are around 100 occurrences of the use of love in Paul's letters and was presented as a "paramount virtue" (Hubbard, 2012 & 2016) in the Christian's life. Paul's teaching and a letter to the Romans indicates the truth and would certainly have frustrated a devoted Stoic. Paul's truth-telling is reinforced by Romans 7:6 says, "but now we have been released from the law, because we have died to that by which we were bound, so that we may serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter of the law"(Lexham English Bible, 2012).
References
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Rom. 7:6). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.Hubbard, M. (2012, 2016). Paul and the Stoics. In Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Have you ever heard of Stoicism? What is your opinion of their abrasive position of morality?