Socrates is one of the famous Greek philosophers whose teachings have resonated many times with Christian teachings. Socrates' metaphysical approach to life indicates that his thinking relative to Christian doctrines was rational and applied to humanity at that period. Any of his beliefs are embodied in Christian teachings today as well as they have been for a long time. Any of the most common parallels include subjects such as peace, fairness, dignity, equality, responsibility; respect, trying your best; sincerity and trustworthiness; sensitivity, understanding and tolerance (Chapman et al 53). Christians live by the same principles of following what is written in the bible such as in the book of 1 Corinthians which explains that the Holy Spirit is manifested in each individual for the common good. It continues to state that individuals are given different gifts of the spirit to complement each other. In so doing, they achieve virtue which is the main principle of Socrates teachings (Theological Principle or Christological Praxis 83). For instance, the concept of oneness according to Socrates is the desire of individuals to belong to a group or identify with a group. The need is a basic need for individuals in a society to propel their interests and also maintain a sense of belonging for their off-springs. The case is similar for Christianity where in the book of 1 Corinthians in the bible it is stipulated that Christians belong to the body of Christ despite being many and different. The concept conquers with Socrates idea of individuals needing to identified as part of a group that gives them purpose and direction (Yonezawa 15). Just like the body of Christ unites Christians to one purpose and direction in their lives. The body of Christ is the group to which Christians belong and that is where they derive the term Christians from the word Christ meaning they belong to Christ. Socrates explains that it is a natural tendency for people to belong to a group a concept that is similar to what Christians tend to focus on as individuals.Another similarity of Socrates and Christianity is the idea of respect. Respect is achieved through role assignment to different individuals. Just like the Holy Spirit gifts different individuals with different gifts, so does role assignment allow individuals to perform different duties for the good of the community. In the bible it is written in Ephesians 5:23 that men shall be the heads of the family and women shall follow the head. The defined roles allow communities to exist with less conflict since each individual understands their position in the society (Meszaros and De Maeseneer 4). Similarly Socrates explains that division of roles allows the community to develop since each person is aware of their function in the society and are able to be accommodated by another since there is no conflict of interest.Christianity as a faith regards forgiveness as one of the main teachings that help save the soul from damnation. As written in Colossians 3:13 Christians are urged to forgive as the Lord has forgiven them. In the book of Acts 3:19, the bible explains that when forgiveness is given the soul is purified (Legenhausen 1). Correspondingly, Socrates taught about the ethical aspect of man which meant the willingness of man to forgive wrongs. His teachings claimed that the soul is at peace when an individual is rid-off negative thoughts such as bitterness over wrong deeds (Kirkland 98). He explains that the peace of the soul is achieved through forgiveness where he describes the act as ethical explaining that man’s ethics is his soul.Honesty is a common principle in both Christian faith and Socrates teachings depicting that the two are linked in terms of their perspective of life (Butler 822). Socrates teachings explain that being a good person helps and individual to avoid external influence. That a person cannot be harmed by outside forces unless they allow them, an honest person is able to realize their strength and ignore the influences that might interfere with their well being (Ross 33). Conquering is the book of Proverbs 10:3 that stipulate, that a man that walks in integrity is secure but a man that is not straight forward will be harmed. Honesty is therefore a crucial aspect of life as explained in both precepts. The intensity with which each concept is presented shows how significant the principle of honesty carries weight on either side.Socrates explains that justice is ordained by the gods and that judgment should be based on divine deeds and the universal principle of punishment. He expresses that those that go unpunished shall rip evil in small bids until they pay for their injustices. His approach and teachings are more or less similar to the writings in the bible. The book of Proverbs 21:15, the bible expresses that justice will bring joy to the righteous but evil doers will be terrified by justice. Comparing the two precepts the idea of justice is based on punishment by law of the universe or the law of God with respect to the virtues of man (Smith 33).Tolerating each other is a daily struggle for most communities, individuals or states. From the bible, the book of Colossians 3:13-23 explains that Christians should instruct each other with wisdom and patience. This verse highlights that having the wisdom and patience needed while dealing with each other promotes tolerance among people (Farb 1062). Tolerance will enable individuals to exercise love, mercy and forgiveness towards each other. Socrates in his life showed tolerance towards others and taught that his students by way of example and insisted by when tolerance is exercised people are able to correlate and embrace each other even in times of conflict.In conclusion, both Christian faith and Socrates share common principles that are applicable in daily lives. From Socrates teachings it is evident that personal awareness and acceptance is as significant as interpersonal relations. Christians also insist on the relevance of self evaluation with respect to God’s law and their relationship with others around them. The similarities between the two is an indication that philosophy and religion orbit on the same axis on it comes to basic principles that govern day to day ventures of human life. Understanding the precepts of life from both Socrates and Christian teachings is vital in Christian life since they can borrow the virtues detailed by Socrates and apply them in their daily life. It is therefore rational to conclude that Socrates teachings and Christian faith are similar to a commendable degree. Works CitedChapman Judith, Devine Catherine and Staples Adam. Socratic Circles as a Learning Strategy in Values Education and Interfaith and Intercultural Understanding. Journal of Religious Education Vol. 56, no.3, pp.53-66, 2008ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rlh&AN=12968726&site=ehost-live.Kirkland, Sean D. "Thinking in the between with Heidegger and Plato." Research in Phenomenology, vol. 37, no. 1, Sept. 2007, pp. 95-111. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1163/156916407X169834.Legenhausen, Muhammad.The Relationship between Philosophy and Theology in the Postmodern Age. Journal of British Theology, vol.14, no.1, pp.1. EBSCOhostMeszaros Julia and De Maeseneer Yves . In the Image of Love: Key Voices for Theological Anthropology. International Journal of Philosophy and Theology, Vol.78, no.1-2, pp.1-6Farb Norman A. S.. From Retreat Center to Clinic to Boardroom? Perils and Promises of the Modern Mindfulness Movement. International Journal for the Physiology of Religion, Vol.5, no.4, pp.1062-1086, 2014.Ross Romero, M.. "Can Virtue Be Taught?." America, vol. 213, no. 19, 21 Dec. 2015, p. 33. EBSCOhost,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rlh&AN=111560610&site=ehost-live. Smith, Randall B. "Our Numbered Days." Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity, vol. 24, no. 2, Mar/Apr2011, pp. 30-35. EBSCOhost,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rlh&AN=59435360&site=ehost-live.https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2B7%3A13-14Website Title Matthew 7:13-14 - - Bible Gateway Article Title Bible Gateway Date AccessedMay 08, 2017Butler Travis. Socrates and Philosophical Practice. British Journal for the History of Philosophy. Vol. 23, no.5 pp.821-842. 2015 Theological Principle or Christological Praxis. Pauline Ethics in 1 Cor 8.1-11.1, Journal for the Study of the New Testament, vol. 67, 1997, pp.83-114Yonezawa, Shigeru. "Socrates's Conception of Philosophy." British Journal for the History of Philosophy, vol. 12, no. 1, Feb. 2004, pp. 1-22. EBSCOhost, Top of FormBottom of Form
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