Jesus and Socrates

For Biblical Heritage this summer we've had the opportunity to study both Socrates and Jesus. In a literal and a metaphorical sense. In a metaphorical sense, we've been studying Greek culture and visiting Greek sites all while examine the significance these sites play in biblical history. We have to think about how the world of Jesus interacts with the world of Socrates.

Good teachers must have some similar qualities, even if they are from different cultures. Perhaps this is an obvious observation, but both Jesus and Socrates had followers. Their followers later wrote down their teachings, neither Jesus nor Socrates wrote anything down themselves. The teachings of Jesus and Socrates are still very influential in modern culture.

Jesus and Socrates both came from humble backgrounds. Jesus was born in a manger and raised as a carpenter's son. Socrates' father was not one of the wealthy elite, rather he worked as a stone mason. Both Jesus and Socrates showed interests in the lives of the average person.

Jesus and Socrates did not preach the same message, but they had similar goals. They both wanted to bring truth to their people. Socrates is famous for asking questions to discover truth. While Jesus gives sermons, he also also asks questions. In Matthew 5:13 Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet". Now Jesus was using rhetorical questions, which was quite different from Socrates' methods, but they both demonstrate the importance of teachers asking questions

Both Jesus and Socrates were not popular while they were alive. Socrates was put on trial for his beliefs and later condemned to drink hemlock. Jesus too was put on trial and later nailed to a cross. What made these two men so unpopular? They taught what they believed despite the consequences. Jesus and Socrates were not afraid to condemn the actions of powerful men.