My reading of the stoics is a kind of hyper-individualism. Some of their advice, I think, aligns with biblical standards. For example, we should take the plank out of our own eye before judging the speck in others, and the sin in our hearts takes priority over sin's outward manifestations.
The crux is that stoics seek to separate their emotions from what happens in the world, where Jesus teaches to properly order our emotions and affections. If a stoic is at a funeral of a friend, he might say, "That's only an emotion. It's not useful so I'm not going to feel it" whereas Christ wept at Lazarus' tomb.
A stoic seeks to control himself at all times, but it's not always properly healthy or possible. It's end is a separation from the world and our human-ness. God intends us to be in community and defined by our community to a some extent, as long as that community is in submission to His word. So, I think my post rubs against stoic philosophy by talking about the importance of building strong families and communities instead of going about life as a lone wolf.
I was thinking that much of your thoughts may align with the ideas of stoics. Thoughts?
My reading of the stoics is a kind of hyper-individualism. Some of their advice, I think, aligns with biblical standards. For example, we should take the plank out of our own eye before judging the speck in others, and the sin in our hearts takes priority over sin's outward manifestations.
The crux is that stoics seek to separate their emotions from what happens in the world, where Jesus teaches to properly order our emotions and affections. If a stoic is at a funeral of a friend, he might say, "That's only an emotion. It's not useful so I'm not going to feel it" whereas Christ wept at Lazarus' tomb.
A stoic seeks to control himself at all times, but it's not always properly healthy or possible. It's end is a separation from the world and our human-ness. God intends us to be in community and defined by our community to a some extent, as long as that community is in submission to His word. So, I think my post rubs against stoic philosophy by talking about the importance of building strong families and communities instead of going about life as a lone wolf.