Reading about the Stoics

I always loved the movie Gladiator and have watched it over and over.  I especially like Marcus Aurelius and want to read his Meditations.  The movie, of course, takes some creative liberties.  Marcus was not killed by his son, Commodus, but by the plague.  However, the movie highlights his wisdom, his goodness and his virtues.  In searching in my audiobook library to find Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, I stumbled across the following book: "How to Think Like a Roman Emperor" and just finished listening to it.  Tonight's post summarizes some things I got out of it.  I'm not convinced I'll be thinking like a Roman Emperor in all things on Our Maker's Acres Family Farm, but there are good things to learn from this book.

First, I must preface this post with the fact that I am a Bible-believing Christian.  I believe Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.  I believe that all our works, our striving, our trying to be good and virtuous amounts to nothing as far as eternity is concerned.  I wanted to learn what stoicism is and what it has in common with Christianity.  I never took a philosophy course in college, so the book interested me, and I do intend to go ahead and read Marcus Aurelius' collection of meditations.

Stoicism was a school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium.  He has an interesting story.  He was a very wealthy businessman.  He was a seller of purple dye.  It reminded me of Lydia in the Bible.  Zeno would use the fermented mucous from sea shells and extract a purple dye.  This purple dye was used to color the robes and garments of royalty.  One day, in a storm, Zeno's ship was sunk and he lost his cargo.  In fact, he lost everything he owned.  He almost lost his life in the process.  Arriving on shore penniless, he begged for his food.  One day, he met a man who told him to stop depending on the fermented mucous of sea shells to get dye to color garments and instead allow the wisdom of men to color him.  He did just that.  He found a book on Socrates and read and read.  He decided that the pursuit of studying philosophy, rather than attaining riches, would be his life's goal.

Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic.  So what do Stoics believe?

Stoics believe that you should try to understand how you fit into the world and then live your life in harmony with nature, not trying to fight against it.  Reason is key.

Stoics believe that worrying about things outside your control is futile.  You can only control yourself, your actions, your thoughts.

Stoics have a different idea on good and bad, believing that wealth, health, and your reputation are neutral.  Those can be good or bad.  An example is if you were very wealthy, it's not a good thing because you can use your wealth for good or for bad.

Stoics are very big proponents on being in control of your emotions, especially anger and fear as they are destructive.

Finally, Stoics believe in four primary virtues:

Temperance - Moderation in everything. Maintain self control.
Courage - Be bold. Face uncomfortable situations with resolve and steadfastness.
Wisdom - Learn. Discern right from wrong.
Justice - Be fair in your dealings with other people.

I believe Marcus Aurelius was a good man.  A wise man.  Definitely not a perfect man.  He was not a Christian.  In fact, during his rule, he persecuted Christians.  It is my opinion, however, that some of the principles in Stoicism don't contradict Christianity, and in fact, some of the principles of stoicism align with things taught in Scripture.  (Be angry and sin not (emotions), Store your treasure in Heaven (materialism), Be bold and courageous, Study to show yourself approved, Let justice roll like a river, etc.)  All Bible verses in alignment with what Marcus Aurelius believed.

But sadly, Stoicism departs from Christianity in a pretty wide swath.  They did not believe in the afterlife, believing that you return to nature, the universe.  While Christians look to God, Stoics look within themselves for virtue and goodness.  Believers in Christ die to self and are raised a new man in Christ where the Holy Spirit will change you to be more Christ-like.  Stoicism focuses on living a virtuous life by self-effort and discipline.  Stoicism is focused on self for attainment of wisdom and all earthly good.  Christianity is focused on Christ.  Without Him I could do nothing.

The end of the book, as Marcus Aurelius dies, is very sad as he wearily accepts his fate, his mortality and goes to "be at one with nature."  He died an unbeliever. 

Marcus Aurelius was born about 60 years after the Apostle Paul died.  It reminded me that Paul was in Athens, Greece at Mars Hill where he gave a famous speech to the philosophers that always wanted to learn something new.  They had all these statues to false gods - even one to an anonymous god, in case they missed one.  Here's what Paul said:

Acts 17:22-23 KJV. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

I wish that Marcus Aurelius could have learned from Paul or another believer.  Perhaps Paul could have led him to Christ.  Now that I've finished this one, I'm on to re-reading another classic, something totally different - To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.