Can stoicism and Christianity coexist?
On One Hand: Christianty and Stoicism OverlapStoicism and Christianity share several key values, to such an extent that early Christian monasticism was strongly influenced by stoic philosophy. Stoicism and Christianity both assert human free will, that happiness is found through virtuous action, monotheism and a human connection with the divine.On the Other: Stoicism Denies Christian ParticularsDetailed examinations of stoic tenets reveal specific contradictions with mainstream Christian theology. In just one clear example, stoic philosophers such as Epictetus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius imply or openly state that suicide, condemned by all Christian sects, is a virtuous alternative to a variety of awful circumstances.Bottom LineOne cannot be a stoic in the ancient Greek sense of the word and a Christian at the same time. However, Christians have been borrowing elements of stoic belief and practice since the earliest days of the Church. Stoic writings can serve as a source of inspiratio
