Epicurean

Epicureans were followers of the philosophical school founded by Epicurus, a Greek philosopher who lived from 341 to 270 BC. The Epicurean school of thought is briefly mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in Act.17.18, where Paul encounters Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens.

The central tenet of Epicureanism was the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. However, Epicurus did not advocate for hedonism or the indulgence of all desires. Instead, he taught that true happiness could be attained through the cultivation of simple pleasures, such as friendship, contentment, and peace of mind. Epicureans believed that the absence of pain and the presence of tranquility were the highest forms of pleasure.

In terms of religion, Epicureans held that the gods existed but were distant and uninvolved in human affairs. They rejected the idea of divine intervention and the fear of divine punishment. Epicureans also believed that the universe was composed of atoms and that everything happened by chance, without any divine purpose or design.

When Paul encountered the Epicurean philosophers in Athens, he used their own beliefs as a starting point for his preaching of the gospel. He acknowledged their religious devotion but challenged their understanding of the divine, proclaiming the one true God who created the world and calls all people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Act.17.22-31).

The mention of Epicureans in the Bible provides insight into the intellectual and philosophical climate of the ancient Greek world and the challenges faced by early Christian missionaries as they sought to proclaim the gospel in a context of diverse beliefs and worldviews.