Greek & Roman Philosophy

Greek & Roman Philosophy: A Survey for Students of the New Testament 

Author: Timothy A. Brookins

Publisher: Hendrickson 2025

Mitchell Score: 79/100

Reviewed by Jason A Mitchell PHD, SThD

Book Summary

The book offers a survey of the Greek and Roman philosophical traditions and how they were relevant to early Christianity. The book recognizes how Christianity is rooted in Judaism but reached out quickly into the Greco-Roman world. Part One of the book covers Classical philosophy from the pre-Socratic philosophers to death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.). Part Two treats Hellenistic philosophy from the fourth to the early first century B.C. Part Three deals with post-Hellenistic philosophy. Part Four concerns early Christianity.

Throughout the book, Brookins masterfully traces the succession of philosophical sects and schools and offers several tables that remind the reader where each philosopher and sect emerged. In Chapter Three, he divides the pre-Socratics into two traditions: the Ionian traditionand the Italian tradition. What unites these two traditions is their theological monism (pp. 21-22), that there is one divine reality, whether this be a mind, logos, or universe composed of and ordered by immaterial numbers. Socrates, the Sophists, Plato, and Aristotle are summarized in less than 30 pages, giving the reader a quick overview of their key concepts and contributions.

Brookins summarizes how the Classical, Hellenistic, Post-Hellenistic schools each view the “end” or goal of human life. While Plato and Aristotle encouraged living according to virtue to attain happiness, the Stoics emphasized living in accordance with nature, the Epicureans sought the end in pleasure and the absence of pain, the Skeptical Academy proposed suspending judgment as our goal, and the Middle Platonists identified assimilation to God as our end (p. 126). 

Why we like it:

The 12 tables, 6 figures, and further reading recommendations were very helpful. If a person wants a six page summary of an ancient philosopher or a particular ancient school, Brookins’ book is a great resource.

Suggestions:

The book is true to its subtitle as a survey. It has a very small, but important niche – students of the New Testament who likely haven’t spent four years or more studying philosophy. Each chapter includes a helpful list of books for further study. Most of the books recommended have been written in the last 25 years or so. 

Score by Category:

Fides: 15/15

Ratio: 10/15

Originality: 10/15

Philosophical Depth: 11/15

Clarity: 10/10

Aesthetics: 10/10

Evangelization: 5/10

Audience Target: 8/10

Bottom Line: 

It is a good book and does speak well to its intended audience. It is not ground-breaking, but is a good guide and survey for those who want a broad overview of the philosophical culture of the New Testament world.