On a recent episode of The Post-Christian Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Joey Dodson, a professor at Denver Seminary who brings fascinating insights into the intersection of Greek philosophy and Christian faith.
With increasing interest in Stoicism and ancient Greek philosophy among both Christians and non-Christians, Joey offers valuable perspective on how to engage with these ideas through a biblical lens.
Joey explains how Greek philosophy parallels some religious structures we’re familiar with:
“Homer was like the Old Testament for the Greeks and Plato was like the New Testament.” Just as Plato recorded Socrates’ teachings as his “beloved disciple,” we see similar patterns in early Christianity.
What’s particularly interesting is Paul’s connection to this philosophical world. Growing up in Tarsus, an “Ivy League town” of philosophy, Paul was well-versed in these traditions. He even quotes a philosopher from Tarsus in his writings.
However, Paul and early Christian writers pushed back against certain philosophical ideas, particularly the Platonic view that the body is bad. As Joey points out, “Paul comes and says, no, no, no, it’s got to be the body,” especially in discussions of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15.
One of the most fascinating comparisons Joey shares is between Paul and Seneca (a contemporary of Paul and brother to Gallio mentioned in Acts). Both used crucifixion imagery, but with radically different meanings. While Seneca saw himself stuck on a cross of sin trying to get off, Paul proclaimed, “I have been crucified with Christ” – speaking of transformation and victory.
This leads to an important discussion about Romans 7. Joey challenges the common interpretation that Paul is describing the normal Christian life of constant defeat. Instead, he argues this passage shows the futility of trying to live under the law rather than by the Spirit. The Christian life should be characterized by victory over sin, not constant defeat.
For today’s church leaders, Joey emphasizes the need for both scholarship and pastoral heart: “We’re never going to have the church that we need to be until we have pastors that are scholars and scholars that are pastors.” This balanced approach helps us engage thoughtfully with philosophical ideas while maintaining strong biblical foundations.
Want to learn more?
Check out Joey’s work at Denver Seminary and his books:
- Conquerors Not Captives: Reframing Romans 7 for the Christian Life
- Paul and the Giants of Philosophy: Reading the Apostle in Greco-Roman Context
- A Little Book for New Bible Scholars
- Paul and the Greco-Roman Philosophical Tradition (The Library of New Testament Studies)
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