Ancient wisdom for modern life

 

There is an industry of Stoicism for Today and Bite-Size Buddhism.

 

Christians have differed on how to account for the wisdom of the ancients. Did Plato borrow from Moses? What role might General Revelation or Natural Law play? What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?

 

Arguably part of Jordan Peterson’s project is to take insights from the Bible and apply them to how we might live today.

 

Many things could be said.

 

At some point, we might need to consider how is relates to ought. What is the metaphysic of this system and how does it relate to morality? Is what these people taught true? You know, true, true. Literally true. And if it is untrue, is it still in some way meaningful or helpful? Does it in some way participate in or borrow from or prepare for The Truth? Or is it an antithetical system?

 

No doubt there are things which Jesus said which can be made into timeless practical lessons. It is probably good, for example, to avoid certain types of worry. But why and how?

 

Is it really possible to have the fruit without the root? How would a cut flower Christianity be sustained? Would it even be Christianity without a living Christ? Jesus as dead guru is not what the Bible has in mind at all.

 

Jesus specifically taught that God is actually real and is the source of all physical and spiritual life. We were made by and for him and so our hearts are restless till they find their rest in him. We are, if you like, wonderful little gods, the very image of God, but also that our hearts spew out evil. We are broken gods. The line between good and evil runs through every soul. We need not merely self-help or moral reformation, but inner transformation: new hearts. We need forgiveness and the friendship of God. Grace. Mercy. Love. Christian community. The power of the Holy Spirit. How To Be Happy The Jesus Way won’t cut it.  

 

No doubt there is much we could learn from the ancients or from Jesus. But Jesus offers the Real Thing. The sum of all wisdom, holiness, peace and joy are to be found in him. Indeed, he offers hope in the face of the grave, a song even for the worst suffering. If we really listened to him, we would trust him with our whole selves and in so doing we would find ourselves.

 

Jesus’ teaching is often radical and all or nothing. He challenges us as to whether we are with him or against him. Will we love him and hate ourselves, our families? This is the path to true love of God, self and others. It is mysterious and paradoxical and the adventure of a life time. Go for the full roast version, not the instant repackaged Jesus flavoured drink.