Reflections on Jesus and Socrates: Word and SilenceLiving more than four centuries apart in very different cultures, Jesus and Socrates wrote nothing themselves, but they inspired their followers to set down words that continue to shape Western consciousness. In this deeply personal and provocative meditation, Paul Gooch reflects on enduring themes that arise from the lives of these two pivotal figures: death and witness, silence as the limit of language, prayer, obedience, and love. Focusing on the Jesus of the Gospels and the Socrates of Plato's dialogues, Gooch does not debate the historical realities of either figure, but seeks to understand their fundamental commitments to philosophy and to God, drawing parallels and contrasts that invite deeper reflection upon our own lives and experiences. Throughout this book, Gooch tells and retells the stories of Socrates and Jesus as he examines perennial human issues: why would anyone willingly die? To what do these two martyrlike deaths bear witness? What are the limits of words in explanation and defense? Why was Jesus silent during his trial? Why did Socrates' most powerful apologia fail? What words, if any, work in prayer? Do words work against the fear of death? Out of this philosophical and religious questioning, Reflections on Jesus and Socrates throws new light on these two compelling figures and on the continuing meanings of their stories for us today. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Alcibiades answer Apology argument asking attention authority believe beloved disciple Callicles chapter Christian claim command commitment context Crito crucifixion death of Jesus defense dialogue disciples divine dying Euthyphro exemplary prayer experience faith Father follow give glorified glory God's Gorgias Gospel Hour human identity intention intimacy Jesus and Socrates Johannine John John's Jesus jury kind knowledge language listening lives Lord's Prayer Luke Mark Mark's Jesus martyr martyrdom Matthew meaning Meletus mind moral motivation Nevertheless NRSV obedience obey object one's ourselves parable Passion person Phaedo Phaedrus Pharisees philosophical Plato Plato's Socrates Platonic love praying present problem of evil question reason relationship religious requires resurrection rhetoric Sadducees silence of Jesus simply somatic soul speaking speech Spirit story synoptics T. S. Eliot theme things Thomas à Becket tion trial trial of Socrates truth understanding voice what's witness words wrong