Modern Philosophy

Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. (Acts 17:17-18)

Epicureans and Stoicks may seem like ancient philosophies, but actually, they are very much alive and well in today’s society as well.

Epicureans believed that pleasure was the chief goal in life. They thought the more you enjoyed life, the freer you would be from pain, destructive emotions, superstitions, and anxiety. So, for the Epicurean, the mindset of living is simply to do whatever makes you happy. Today’s YOLO (You Only Live Once) mindset in the younger generation is nothing more than a rebranding of Epicureanism. Unfortunately, some self-labeled Christians proscribe to this mindset. They worship God as though He exists, but they live as though He doesn't.

The Stoic school of philosophy was entirely different. They ascribed to reason and logic and believed that the gods and supernatural things existed so humans could live under moral systems. This idea of utopia is still alive today; it is disguised as socialism. It’s the idea that man can fix the world through his own efforts and systems and apart from God.

Paul was simply a babbler to these groups of people because they could not understand the things that he said. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:23 that when they preached about Jesus, it sounded like foolishness to the Greeks. But we must be willing to look like a fool to a foolish world. Paul wrote in Colossians 2:6-8 that we must be rooted and built up in Christ and not allow philosophies, traditions, or the world's ways to cloud our confidence in Christ alone.

Practical Application – Do you know anyone that you would describe as a modern Epicurean or Stoick? Pray that their eyes would be opened to the Gospel.

1 Peter 3:15; Romans 15:16