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"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9

This week, I found myself lingering in the company of a man who lived three centuries before the birth of Christ: Aristotle. This is a special double-length episode in which I explore "A Christian History of Aristotle." It is a long conversation, and one I recorded and offered as ‘Patreon-only’ content back in 2024. However, I believe it is a discussion that is vital for anyone wanting to understand the "spiritual architecture" of the world we live in today.

Aristotle famously said that "an unplanned life is not worth examining." He believed that to truly "live well" and to achieve what he called Eudaimonia (happiness or flourishing), a person must live with intentionality. He argued that we are not born virtuous; rather, we become what we repeatedly do. Excellence, in his eyes, was not an act, but a habit.

As I sat with his writings, I couldn't help but feel a sense of thankfulness for what Christian theologians call "Common Grace." He saw that we are creatures of habit. He saw that we have "real goods" (the things we truly need, like truth and friendship) and "apparent goods" (the things we think we want, but which often leave us empty). When Jesus said in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full," He was addressing that same deep human ache for flourishing—but He provided the only source that can satisfy it.

The Bible takes this even further in 2 Corinthians 13:5, urging us to "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith." In the podcast, I look at how the Christian process of sanctification takes Aristotle’s idea of "virtuous habits" and breathes supernatural life into them. We aren't just trying to be "better versions of ourselves"; Christians believe we are being transformed into the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Of course, Aristotle was a man of his time, and as Christians, we must hold his wisdom with a discerning hand. That's why, in the episode, I don't shy away from his controversial views on slavery and women—views that fall when placed alongside the radical equality of Galatians 3:28, where we learn that we are all "one in Christ Jesus."

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Check out my other Podcasts.

The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891

The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast).

https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com