Christianity vs Stoicism
The profound complexities of human emotion, particularly in the face of suffering and loss, illuminate a fundamental divergence between Christian faith and Stoic philosophy. While both traditions offer frameworks for navigating life’s challenges, their approaches to emotional experience stand in stark contrast. Observing the journey of a dear friend, Nancy, and her husband, David, through the final six months of Nancy’s battle with pancreatic cancer, revealed a powerful testament to the Christian understanding of emotion: it is not stoicism. This distinction became remarkably clear in their ability to experience a seemingly contradictory blend of deep grief and profound rejoicing simultaneously.
The Fullness of Christian Emotion
Christianity, contrary to Stoic ideals, does not advocate for the suppression or neglect of emotions. Instead, the Bible is described as a book brimming with emotion. It commands us to express a vast spectrum of feelings—from sorrow, anger, fear, and lamentation to rejoicing, blessedness, and happiness. This includes weeping and grieving, as well as celebrating. The Christian faith invites us to pour out these emotions without reservation. This acceptance of emotion is evident throughout biblical history, from Old Testament figures like Moses and David, whose prayers and writings demonstrate an emotional, rather than strictly intellectual, approach to God. Moses, for instance, spoke to the Lord with an intimacy that allowed him to express anger and upset, an approach some might find daunting.
A quintessential example of this embrace of emotion is seen in Jesus himself. In John chapter 11, when his friend Lazarus died, Jesus exhibited a remarkable range of human emotions. Though omniscient and aware that he would soon raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus allowed himself to experience profound grief. When Mary came to him, weeping over her brother’s death, Jesus was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. The iconic verse, “Jesus wept,” powerfully demonstrates that even in the face of imminent joy and divine glory, the sorrow of death is real and valid. His weeping was not merely an act of empathy for others’ grief, but also a direct expression of sorrow over the death of his beloved friend, Lazarus. This profound demonstration highlights that God created humanity with complex emotions designed to operate in tandem, enabling us to live life to its fullest, encompassing both weeping and rejoicing. Jesus, the perfect man, modeled this capacity to feel the entire gamut of emotions.
Similarly, David, married to Nancy for 60 years and a believer since college, openly wept and grieved as he watched his wife decline and planned for her passing. Yet, simultaneously, he expressed tremendous rejoicing, noting Nancy’s experience of God’s grace and her anticipation of seeing Jesus face to face. Nancy, too, demonstrated this duality; she rejoiced in the Lord’s plan and looked forward to completing her race, even as she grieved for her husband, recognizing the season of loneliness he would face. This ability to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice is a command in Christianity, requiring a fullness of heart and sympathy. This integrated emotional experience is a beautiful power of the Christian faith. Death, within this framework, is not a finality but a “beginning gateway to true life,” a necessary part of God’s design that allows for resurrection and can be appreciated as good within the hope of the gospel.
The Stoic Path to Indifference
In stark contrast, Stoic philosophy fundamentally values reason above emotions, positing that true happiness, peace, and stability are achieved by not being bothered by negative life events. This ancient philosophy, experiencing a modern renaissance, is often embraced by those who seek to cope with life’s anxieties and fears without traditional theological beliefs. The Stoic ideal is to cut oneself off emotionally from these experiences, fostering a state of indifference. Modern popularizers of Stoicism promise that by mastering emotions, one can achieve a happy life. A notable Stoic maxim encapsulates this: “Do not seek to have things happen as you wish, but wish for them to happen as they do, and you will find peace”. This philosophy suggests that rather than being anxious or stressed about circumstances, one should simply welcome things as they are. The inherent irony of this approach is that the mastery of emotions is sought for the ultimate experience of joy and peace, implying that even Stoicism, at its core, desires a particular emotional state.
Fundamental Flaws and Distinctions
The core difference between these two worldviews lies in their implications for compassion and action. Stoicism, by encouraging indifference to emotions, makes it impossible to be truly sympathetic with others. If one is completely indifferent to emotion, they cannot feel the suffering and pain of other people, effectively becoming “a heart of stone”. This state of emotional detachment, while perhaps offering a form of personal tranquility, does not inspire sympathetic and empathetic actions to serve those in pain.
While Stoicism may appear to share some superficial similarities with Christian principles, such as advocating against placing happiness in worldly possessions or achievements, its underlying philosophy diverges sharply. The Bible teaches that ultimate happiness is found in the living Jesus Christ. Stoicism, however, does not merely teach us to direct our affections appropriately; it advocates for not feeling affections at all as a path to peace.
The practical implications of this distinction are profound for living a life of Christian faith. One cannot truly live out the Christian life using Stoic principles because genuine compassion and mercy are inherently driven by emotion. For instance, the motivation to engage in global missions, like moving to another continent to share the gospel, stems from a visceral feeling for those who have not heard the message. Similarly, interceding for people in difficult circumstances is born out of love for Christ and love for those who are suffering.
The Golden Rule—to do for others what one would wish them to do for themselves—is impossible to follow without empathy. To respond to the hungry, the blind, the vulnerable, or a mother facing a pregnancy crisis, one must be able to empathize with their fear, shame, and desperation. The Christian call to “rescue the innocent and rescue the weak and the needy” demands a heartfelt response, a willingness to grieve with those who grieve. If one is unfeeling towards someone in a rape situation or a single mother cast out by her family, the necessary action to fulfill this biblical mandate will not be taken. Furthermore, this emotional detachment robs individuals of the very joy that comes from helping others overcome obstacles. The Christian faith, in contrast, embraces this full range of emotions, allowing God’s lordship to encompass all feelings as life changes. It equips us to live life to its fullest, engaging both in weeping and in rejoicing.
Conclusion
The contrast between Christianity and Stoicism highlights a profound difference in their understanding of human experience and the pathway to peace and purpose. While Stoicism seeks tranquility through emotional detachment and indifference, Christianity embraces the full spectrum of human emotions, recognizing them as divinely created capacities that enable deeper connection, profound empathy, and ultimately, a life of meaningful action and love. The Christian faith empowers individuals to both grieve profound loss and rejoice in redemptive hope simultaneously, as evidenced by the experiences of David and Nancy and even Jesus himself. This holistic engagement with emotion, rather than its suppression, is what fuels the compassionate response to a broken world.
Just as a master musician must utilize the entire range of notes—both major and minor, harmonious and dissonant—to create a truly rich and moving symphony, so too does the Christian faith embrace the full gamut of human emotions. Stoicism, in this analogy, might be likened to attempting to create music using only a few selected notes, avoiding any that might evoke discomfort or strong feeling. While this might lead to a certain calm, it ultimately diminishes the depth, complexity, and power of the melody. Christianity, conversely, conducts the full orchestra of human emotion, allowing every feeling to play its part under the divine baton, creating a more profound and impactful life experience that resonates with both sorrow and triumphant joy.
This article is adapted from the episode transcript.