The Epicureans and Stoics were two prominent philosophical schools in ancient Greece and Rome, both of which are mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. These philosophies played a significant role in shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of the Greco-Roman world during the time of the early Church.

Epicureans

The Epicureans were followers of Epicurus (341–270 BC), a Greek philosopher who taught that the purpose of life was to attain pleasure and avoid pain. However, contrary to popular misconceptions, Epicureanism did not advocate for hedonistic indulgence. Instead, it emphasized the pursuit of intellectual pleasures and the cultivation of a tranquil and contented life through the moderation of desires and the elimination of fear, particularly the fear of gods and death.

Epicureans believed that the gods were indifferent to human affairs and that the universe was the result of random atomic movements. This naturalistic worldview led them to reject the idea of divine providence and an afterlife, focusing instead on the here and now.

In the Book of Acts, the Epicureans are mentioned during the Apostle Paul's visit to Athens. Acts 17:18 states, "Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, 'What is this babbler trying to say?' Others said, 'He seems to be advocating foreign gods.' They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection." The Epicureans' skepticism towards divine intervention and the afterlife likely contributed to their dismissive attitude towards Paul's message of resurrection.

Stoics

The Stoics, founded by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC, were another influential philosophical group. Stoicism taught that the path to happiness is found in accepting the moment as it presents itself, by using one's mind to understand the world and by working together with nature's plan. The Stoics believed in a rational and ordered universe governed by a divine reason, or logos, which they equated with God.

Stoicism emphasized the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. The Stoics held that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge and that the wise live in harmony with the divine order of the universe.

In Acts 17:18, the Stoics, like the Epicureans, engaged with Paul in Athens. Their philosophical framework, which acknowledged a form of divine reason, may have made them more open to discussions about God, yet they still struggled with the concept of resurrection and the personal nature of the Christian God.

Biblical Context and Influence

The encounter between Paul and the Epicureans and Stoics in Athens highlights the early Christian engagement with contemporary philosophical thought. While the Epicureans' materialistic and atheistic tendencies were at odds with Christian teachings, the Stoics' emphasis on virtue and divine reason provided some common ground for dialogue.

Paul's address at the Areopagus (Acts 17:22-31) reflects his strategic approach to engaging with these philosophical audiences. He begins by acknowledging their religiosity and even quotes their own poets, seeking to connect their understanding of the divine with the revelation of the one true God who "does not live in temples made by human hands" (Acts 17:24) and who "commands all people everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).

The presence of Epicureans and Stoics in the biblical narrative underscores the diverse intellectual environment of the first-century Mediterranean world and the challenges faced by early Christians in articulating their faith amidst competing worldviews.