Topical Encyclopedia The Epicureans were a philosophical group originating from the teachings of Epicurus, a Greek philosopher who lived from 341 to 270 BC. Epicureanism emphasized the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the primary goals of life, advocating for a life of moderation and intellectual contemplation. This philosophy often stood in contrast to the religious and moral teachings of the Judeo-Christian tradition, which emphasized spiritual devotion, moral discipline, and the anticipation of eternal life.In the context of the New Testament, the Epicureans are mentioned in Acts 17:18, where they encounter the Apostle Paul in Athens. The text states: "Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, 'What is this babbler trying to say?' Others said, 'He seems to be advocating foreign gods.' They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection" . This encounter highlights the philosophical differences between the Epicureans and the early Christian message, particularly regarding the resurrection and the afterlife. While the New Testament does not explicitly mention the Epicureans' rejection of John the Baptist, their philosophical stance provides insight into why they might have dismissed his message. John the Baptist, a pivotal figure in the Gospels, called for repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah. His message was one of moral urgency and spiritual renewal, as seen in Matthew 3:1-2: "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near'" . The Epicureans, with their focus on material pleasure and skepticism of divine intervention, would likely have found John's ascetic lifestyle and call for repentance to be at odds with their beliefs. John's emphasis on the imminent arrival of God's kingdom and the need for moral transformation would have been seen as unnecessary or even irrational from an Epicurean perspective, which prioritized personal tranquility and the avoidance of fear, including fear of divine judgment. Furthermore, the Epicureans' materialistic worldview, which denied the existence of an afterlife, would have clashed with John's eschatological message. John the Baptist's proclamation of a coming judgment and the need for spiritual readiness would have been dismissed by those who did not believe in life beyond death. This fundamental difference in worldview would have led the Epicureans to reject not only John's message but also the broader Christian teachings that followed. In summary, while the New Testament does not directly record the Epicureans' rejection of John the Baptist, their philosophical principles provide a clear rationale for why they would have dismissed his call to repentance and preparation for the coming kingdom of God. Their focus on earthly pleasure and skepticism of divine matters placed them in opposition to the spiritual and moral imperatives central to John's ministry. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 11:18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a devil. Nave's Topical Index Luke 7:33 Library Corinth Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple ... English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566. Resources What is Epicureanism? What did Epicurus teach? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Stoicism? What did the Greek Stoics teach? | GotQuestions.org Who is the unknown god in Acts 17:23? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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