Jesus taught Angamon, the leader of the Stoics in Rome, during an all-night talk early in Jesus' time in Rome, which led to a strong friendship and support for the Christian church among Angamon and Paul. [1]
Despite contention with mystery cults, Stoicism's teachings were challenged by the arrival of Christianity in Rome offering comfort and liberating power to spiritually hungry people. [2] The great inroad of Stoicism in Hellenized Jewish beliefs is exemplified by the Fourth Book of Maccabees and the Wisdom of Solomon. [3]
Stoicism ascended to a sublime morality, teaching that virtue is its own reward, but failed to recognize the loving Father beyond the controlling Reason-Fate, remaining a philosophy rather than a religion. [4] Paul's influence by Stoicism can be seen in his teachings on contentment and morality, blending Greek philosophy with Jewish beliefs in Christianity. [5]
Jesus gleaned profound insights from his association with Stoic leaders in Rome, laying the groundwork for the swift propagation of Christianity throughout the empire. [6] Occidental religion languished until the days of Stoicism and the rise of Christianity. [7]
The soul achieves liberty in harmony with nature, conscience, and God, as taught by Stoicism, a philosophy that prepared Rome for the reception of Christianity. [8] Despite his initial confusion, Pilate eventually understood that Jesus, a wise man in the Stoic tradition, posed no threat as a harmless visionary. [9]