042 Philosophers - Chrysippus

Museum Description: Chrysippus

Room: 22/Case: None/Number: GR 1824.2-1.2

Scripture: Acts 17:18

Chrysippus developed the Stoic philosophy mentioned by Paul.  The Stoics did not believe in the resurrection, so took issue with his preaching.  It was the issue of the resurrection of the dead that prevented Paul from finishing his famous speech on the Areopagus.  The crowd had three different reactions.  Some mocked at the thought, some wanted to hear more later, but some became believers.  The Stoics thought fate governed the world, so even suicide was not wrong, and that everything, including the soul, came from an impersonal deity.  Paul cleverly used his understanding of their teachings when he quoted from the Stoic poets Aratus of Cilicia and Cleanthes saying ‘For we are also his progeny.’