Can You Embrace Stoicism and Still Consider Yourself a Christian?
Navigating the sometimes conflicting realms of philosophy and faith often leads to intriguing intersections. Two paths that have long captivated thinkers are Stoicism and Christianity.
But can you truly walk the Stoic path of reflection and self-discipline while holding firm to the Christian faith?
My reason for writing this was to answer this question for myself. While being a practicing Christian (I practice because I’m often not very good at it), I’ve found myself coming back repeatedly to “The Daily Stoic” * by Ryan Holiday.
I’ll read it for a couple of days and then stop for a while because I’ll see some contradictions in my Christian beliefs. Then, I’ll read a post or article that mentions Stoicism, and back to the book I come.
So, I thought it would be beneficial to me and those who share the same question of compatibility between Stoicism and Christianity to examine this topic.
First, a brief comparison of Stoicism and Christianity so we have a framework to draw our own conclusions:
Origins:
- Stoicism: Founded in Athens around 300 BCE by Zeno of Citium. It’s a school of Hellenistic philosophy that focuses on personal virtue and wisdom as the path to true happiness.
- Christianity: Began in the 1st century AD, centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It’s a monotheistic religion that believes in salvation through faith in Jesus.
Core beliefs:
- Stoicism: Emphasizes rationality and the acceptance of things you can’t change. It teaches that we should live in accordance with Nature and that the way to do so is by practicing virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.
- Christianity: Centers on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Believers are taught to have faith in Jesus for salvation, to love their neighbors, and to live according to the teachings of the Bible.
Views on Suffering:
- Stoicism: Suffering is seen as a natural part of life. Stoics believe that while we can’t always control external events, we can control our reactions to them. Therefore, acceptance and understanding one’s emotions are key.
- Christianity: Suffering is often understood within the context of sin, redemption, and God’s plan. Christians believe that through faith, they can find strength and purpose in suffering and that God offers comfort and guidance.
Afterlife:
- Stoicism: Stoics generally believed that the soul is mortal and that it merges with the universal nature after death.
- Christianity: Believes in an afterlife, with the soul either ascending to Heaven or descending to Hell based on one’s faith and deeds.
Practices:
- Stoicism: Daily practices include meditation, journaling, and reflection on one’s actions and beliefs to cultivate virtue and wisdom.
- Christianity: Practices include prayer, attending church services, reading the Bible, and participating in sacraments like baptism and communion.
We can see that while both Stoicism and Christianity offer guidance on how to lead a good life and find peace in this turbulent world, their teachings, and practices are very different in a number of ways.
Next, I was curious how some long-passed prominent Christians and Stoics felt about the co-existence and compatibility of the two:
1. St. Paul: Some scholars believe that St. Paul’s writings, particularly in the New Testament, show Stoic influences. His speech at the Areopagus in Athens (Acts 17:28) includes the quote, “For in Him we live and move and have our being,” which closely resembles a Stoic saying.
2. Seneca: While not a Christian, Seneca, a prominent Stoic philosopher, is known to have corresponded with St. Paul. Some even speculate that the two might have met in Rome. There’s a collection of letters, often referred to as the “Correspondence between Seneca and Paul,” but their authenticity is debated.
3. St. Ambrose: The bishop of Milan and one of the four original Doctors of the Church, St. Ambrose was known to have integrated Stoic ideas into his Christian teachings, particularly regarding ethics and the development of virtues.
4. Boethius: His work “Consolation of Philosophy” is a prime example of Stoic principles being used within a Christian context. While in prison awaiting execution, Boethius reflects on the nature of fortune, happiness, and God’s providence, drawing heavily from both Stoic and Christian thought.
5. Early Christian Asceticism: The early Christian ascetics, or Desert Fathers and Mothers **, practiced a way of life that had parallels with Stoicism. Their emphasis on inner discipline, detachment from material goods, and enduring hardships resonate with Stoic principles.
6. Thomas Aquinas: The influential Christian theologian occasionally referenced Stoic ideas, especially when discussing the natural law and the role of reason in ethical decisions.
Renaissance Humanists: During the Renaissance, there was a revival of interest in Stoicism, especially among Christian humanists like Erasmus. They found value in Stoic ethics and often sought to harmonize them with Christian teachings.
Now, onto the big question: can a person still be considered a Christian if they believe in both Stoic philosophy and Christian teachings?
I’ve found that while Stoicism and Christianity have distinct origins and core beliefs, they share several ethical and moral principles that can complement each other:
Shared Values: Both Stoicism and Christianity emphasize virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. They both promote love, forgiveness, and compassion towards others.
Control and Acceptance: Stoicism teaches that we should accept things we cannot change and focus on controlling our reactions to external events. This aligns with many Christian teachings, such as the Serenity Prayer, which seeks the serenity to accept things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Personal Development: Both systems place importance on personal reflection, self-improvement, and striving for a virtuous life.
Differences in Perspective: While they share many moral teachings, their foundational beliefs and worldviews differ. For instance, Stoicism emphasizes rationality and living in accordance with Nature, while Christianity places faith in God and the teachings of the Bible at its core. However, these differences don’t necessarily make them incompatible; they can offer diverse perspectives that enrich one’s personal beliefs.
Historical Precedence: As previously mentioned, throughout history, many Christian theologians and thinkers have found value in Stoic teachings and have integrated them into their Christian beliefs.
My conclusion: while Stoicism and Christianity have distinct foundational beliefs, they share many ethical teachings that can be harmoniously integrated. It’s entirely possible, and even beneficial for some, to draw inspiration from both and create a personal belief system that encompasses the values of each.
What do you think?
*Amazon affiliate link for “The Daily Stoic”
**Amazon affiliate link for “Desert Fathers and Mothers: Early Christian Wisdom Sayings”
