Philosophy – Rodan of Alexandria 

Rodan, a philosopher from Alexandria, was a colleague of Abner who had worked in Alexandria and taught this Greek about Jesus. Rodan had gone to Magadan to discuss his life philosophy and Jesus' new religious teachings. He also wanted a personal, authorized gospel from Jesus or one of his apostles. Though the Master declined to meet with Rodan, he received him and told Nathaniel and Thomas to listen to him and inform him about the gospel.Rodan gave ten discourses to Nathaniel, Thomas, and a group of roughly two dozen believers in Magadan in September of 29 CE. In modern phraseology, these presentations offered the following thoughts:

At the core of Rodan's philosophy was the concept of the "art of living." He distinguished between the material or animal way of living and the spiritual or human way. Rodan emphasized the crucial role of symbolic communication in elevating human existence above mere animal survival. Through symbols, humans can convey meanings, values, and ideas, leading to the development of personality and culture.Rodan argued that this ability to communicate abstract concepts allows for the creation of civilizations. He stated, "Knowledge and wisdom become cumulative because of man's ability to communicate these possessions to succeeding generations." This perspective highlighted the importance of education and cultural transmission in human development.

Rodan's philosophy placed great emphasis on the pursuit of maturity, both individual and collective. He saw spiritual communion and worship as essential tools for achieving this maturity. According to Rodan, the practice of meditation and relaxation allowed for contact between the mind and spirit, leading to the development of strength-giving and worshipful habits.These habits, when consistently practiced, formed what Rodan calls a "spiritual character." He believed that such character development was crucial in navigating the increasing complexities of society. Rodan asserted, "The more complex society becomes, and the more the lures of civilization multiply, the more urgent will become the necessity for God-knowing individuals to form such protective habitual practices."

Rodan's philosophy recognized the need for balance between temporal and spiritual needs. He outlined six essentials of temporal life: good physical health, clear thinking, ability and skill, wealth, ability to withstand defeat, and culture. However, he argued that even these physical aspects of life are best approached from a spiritual standpoint.Intelligence and skill played crucial roles in Rodan's philosophy of securing life's rewards. He emphasized the importance of planning and functioning within established channels of material wealth. At the same time, Rodan encouraged skill and ability development, stating, "Life is not real to one who cannot do some one thing well, expertly."Dealing with failure and defeat was another key aspect of Rodan's philosophy. He advocated for learning the "art of defeat," arguing that wisdom comes from adjusting to the results of one's failures. Rodan believed facing facts and adjusting them to ideals is the path to true wisdom.

Rodan's concept of true religion is deeply philosophical and experiential. He defined religion as "man's experience of reacting to something which he regards as being worthy of the homage and devotion of all mankind." For Rodan, genuine religion was based on personal spiritual experience rather than mere intellectual belief or emotional response.The quest for undiscovered ideals and divine realities is central to Rodan's religious philosophy. He argued that true religion reaches out for "undiscovered ideals, unexplored realities, superhuman values, divine wisdom, and true spirit attainment." This perspective aligned closely with Jesus' teachings about the kingdom of heaven.

Initially, Rodan was skeptical about the concept of God as a personal being. He argued that personality requires communication between beings of equality, which he believed was impossible for an infinite God. However, through discussions with Nathaniel and Thomas, Rodan's views evolved.The apostles presented arguments based on the Trinity concept, Jesus' equality with the Father, and the nature of the Father-Son relationship. These discussions led Rodan to accept the possibility of God's personality, albeit with qualifications. He came to view God as a personal being, but one whose personality transcends human understanding, describing it as "superhuman, transcendent, supreme, infinite, eternal, final, and universal."

The discussions between Rodan, Nathaniel, and Thomas in Magadan led to profound changes for all involved. Rodan shifted from skepticism to accepting a transcendent personal deity, enhancing his philosophical and religious perspectives. Nathaniel and Thomas deepened their faith and gained new ways to articulate their beliefs, strengthening their future ministries. Rodan's later teachings in Alexandria merged Greek philosophy with Christian doctrine, influencing Christian intellectual traditions and demonstrating the lasting impact of their dialogues.