7/23/18
Schaff, Philip. History of the Christian Church (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Amazon Kindle Edition, 2014.
Volume 2, Ante-Nicene Christianity A.D. 100-325, “Chapter 8. Christian life in Contrast with Pagan Corruption.” Sections 88-103, Loc. 16158-17158.
§ 90. Stoic Morality.
Having considered some of the strong negatives of paganism, Schaff turns “to the bright side of heathen morals” (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16271). He notes in particular Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Plutarch, who showed considerable virtue. Schaff does consider the fact that by the second century there was some Christian influence on Roman culture. This may have been absorbed to some degree by some cultural leaders. Epictetus, a slave, and Marcus Aurelius, an emperor, were both followers of Stoic philosophy as exemplified by Zeno (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16282). Schaff notes Stoicism as near to Christianity in the purity of its virtues, but farthest away by its call for self-reliance, which results in pride (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16287).