Thorsteinsson Runar M. Roman Christianity and Roman Stoicism. A Comparative Study of Ancient Morality

Oxford University Press, 2010. — 263 p.Roman Christianity and Roman Stoicism - A Comparative Study of Ancient Morality by Runar M. Thorsteinsson is a seminal book which challenges the view that Christianity introduced an entirely new, better, and decidedly universal morality into the ancient world. Thorsteinsson's comparative accounts of the moral compass of the Roman Christian community and Roman Stoics lead him to consider the attitudes of the two groups toward the prevailing social hierarchy in Roman society. Ancient Christian authors often show awareness of the affinity between Christianity and Stoicism, particularly in terms of morality or ethics. Sometimes we see this awareness hinted at indirectly. Other times we see it expressed quite openly. The latter is the case, for instance, when particular Stoic philosophers, like Musonius Rufus, are expressly praised in writing by such learned authors as Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen. What these Christians appear to have admired the most with the Stoic teacher was his morality and moral integrity.Christianity is commonly held to have introduced an entirely new and better morality into the ancient world, a new morality that was decidedly universal, in contrast to the ethics of the philosophical schools which were only concerned with the intellectual few. Runar M. Thorsteinsson presents a challenge to this view by comparing Christian morality in first-century Rome with contemporary Stoic ethics in the city. Thorsteinsson introduces and discusses the moral teaching of Roman Stoicism; of Seneca, Musonius Rufus, and Epictetus. He then presents the moral teaching of Roman Christianity as it is represented in Paul's Letter to the Romans, the First Letter of Peter, and the First Letter of Clement. Having established the bases for his comparison, he examines the similarities and differences between Roman Stoicism and Roman Christianity in terms of morality. Five broad themes are used for the comparison, questions of Christian and Stoic views about: a particular morality or way of life as proper worship of the deity; certain individuals (like Jesus and Socrates) as paradigms for the proper way of life; the importance of mutual love and care; non-retaliation and 'love of enemies'; and the social dimension of ethics. This approach reveals a fundamental similarity between the moral teachings of Roman Christianity and Roman Stoicism. The most basic difference is found in the ethical scope of the two: While the latter teaches unqualified universal humanity, the former seems to condition the ethical scope in terms of religious adherence.ContentsAbbreviationsIntroduction
Comparisons of Stoic and Christian Morality
The Present Approach: Focusing on First-Century Rome
Methodological Issues and Procedure of the StudyPart I Moral Teaching in Roman Stoicism
Introduction to Roman Stoicism
Rome and Roman Stoicism
‘Roman Stoicism’: Definition and Assessment of Primary SourcesLucius Annaeus Seneca
Introduction: A Noble Philosopher and Politician
Moral Teaching in Seneca: Loving Each and AllGaius Musonius Rufus
Introduction: A Social and Political Provocateur
Moral Teaching in Musonius: The Welfare of the NeighbourEpictetus
Introduction: A Learned Ex-Slave
Moral Teaching in Epictetus: Love without LimitsPart II Moral Teaching in Roman Christianity
Introduction to Roman Christianity
First-Century Roman Christianity
‘Roman Christianity’: DeWnition and Assessment of Primary Sources
Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Introduction: Proclaiming the Teaching in Rome
Moral Teaching in Romans: Mutual Love, Respect, and AdaptabilityThe First Letter of Peter
Introduction: An Encyclical Letter with General Exhortations
Moral Teaching in 1 Peter: Love as the Primary Virtue
From Paul to ‘Peter’: A Continuity of Moral TeachingsThe First Letter of Clement
Introduction: An Epistolary Request for Unity
Moral Teaching in 1 Clement: Unity, Love, and Social Obligation
From Paul to ‘Clement’: Continuity and Application of Moral TeachingPart III Roman Christianity and Roman Stoicism: A Comparison
Moral Teachings Compared
A Particular Way of Life as Proper Worship
Clothing Oneself with Christ and Seeking to be a Socrates
Mutual Love and Care
Non-Retaliation and ‘Love of Enemies’
The Social DimensionEthical Scope Compared
Ethical Scope in Roman Stoicism: Universal Humanity
Ethical Scope in Romans: ‘Universal Love’?
Ethical Scope in 1 Peter: Loving the ‘Brotherhood’
Ethical Scope in 1 Clement: The ‘Brotherhood’ and Roman Society
Ethical Scope in Roman Christianity: Concluding Summary
ConclusionBibliography
Copyright Acknowledgements
Index of Modern Authors
Index of Ancient References
Index of Names