P1: Pagan Greek Philosophy Part of Paul's Doctrine? (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Menander, etc.)

Join me at 12:30 PM EST (Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2025) for a podcast discussion about how up until this week, I ignorantly thought that the false doctrines that Paul brought was in large part a product of his own gnosis, that is to say, that demons were putting in him some strange somewhat unique knowledge to replace the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have learned this week that while this was certainly true, I was not giving enough credit to the fact that Paul was also relying on the teachings of many of the demonized Greek philosophers of antiquity - especially Plato.  

There had to be a large vacuum formed by Paul removing the Father’s law, the teachings of His prophets, and most especially that which Jesus taught, and it was just too big a hole for him and his demons to fill with entirely made up drivel, so Paul also extracted his lies from many layers of available occult doctrines and thought of his day.  Being that Satan is the perfect counterfeiter, why would he not lead Paul to take some other false teachings from the Greek pagan philosophers he had already in place and have Paul insert those lies as replacements for God’s Truth in his nefariously written epistles?  

At times, Paul nearly directly quotes from the writings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Meander while in the Book of Acts his conversion story seems to rob elements of a horrific play called Bacchae by Euripedes.  Also in the book of Acts Paul garners much praise from many Bible Historians for his “amazing” (read: sarcasm) knowledge represented by him being able to communicate the writings of Seneca and Arastus when preaching to the people of Athens.  But methinks he should have been telling them instead to keep the Father’s law and His Son Jesus Christ (who is the law) instead of pointing to the made up version of Jesus Paul liked to promote.

Also, when writing to the Corinthians you would think that Paul is entirely regurgitating the thoughts of Plato as represented in his short book called Phaedo.  Phaedo tells the story of Socrates on his last day of life, as he expounds to his students the idea that the soul is immortal and that it also goes through reincarnation after a short time in Hades with the “gods”.   There is an entire segment where Socrates also explains how the fleshly body only stands in the way of the soul’s enlightenment and that one should put down its desires and lusts in order to have a mind free enough to find enlightenment.  Very interesting that Paul speaks the same way to the Corinthians, even making marriage a second class mode of living, as if one can’t serve the Father very well when married since it’s better to marry than to “burn” (though most of the fathers of faith were married, and many had more than one wife).   We will really breakdown a section of Phaedo that shows just how much Platonic thought influenced Paul in regard to the “flesh” taht caused him to put burdens on Believers too grievous to be born.  Our bodies are allowed to experience the pleasure of food, drink and relationships, within the realm of the law.  This is not wrong.  Paul makes new laws in this regard that he appears to derive from demonic greek philosophy, which makes even natural desires and affections taboo, and thus can serve to drive people to even worse sins.  Satan is a terrible master.  You never really get what’s right from him, only perversion.  

Some of these sayings and philosophies of Greek paganism have parted the lips of many Christians who believe Paul’s plagiarisms are actually “God’s Word,” even though these ideas are never found in Torah, the Prophets, or the Teachings of Jesus. 

If you follow Paul, rather than Jesus (you can’t do both at the same time) you will find yourself on the broad road that leads to destruction where all the Greek philosophers who worshipped demons went if they didn’t repent.  That’s where Paul is, if he didn’t repent.    Jesus will always lead you to keeping the commandments (He is the commandments) and never away. 

All videos, music, email responses, phone calls & all other services provided by Jesus Not Paul/Acts or WSBM Ministries are free, but donations are greatly appreciated. You may do so at https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2M2673KZ473D2