Justin Martyr's
First Apology is an excellent example of the arguments Christian writers used to win over the hearts and minds of the people of the Roman empire. Skim through this work at the link
here. Do you see here anything that seems to you especially likely to win support for Christianity, or at least to convince the philosophically-minded emperor to by sympathetic to Christians?
Justin goes into talking about how Christians confess their faith. They have a choice to denounce their faith to save their own lives, but they choose not to live a lie. This idea may resonate with some people who have been persecuting and not understanding what the Christians believe. This may have won people over to Christianity, because people can now see what it truly means to be a Christian and people can respect that. They see the same examples in their own lives by not living a lie and showing people who they truly are. Some people will stop persecuting and some may even become Christians. Simply because they now understand why Christians do what they do and believe what they believe. -Kelly Longden
ReplyDeleteThe Christians, Justin writes, are being persecuted for being Christians and nothing else. He believes that the Christians have done no wrong and therefore should not be persecuted as they are. He acknowledges that Christians are atheists in that they will not call the emperor god or recognize any of their other gods but they are not true atheists because they recognize the on true God. This whole idea may have brought some support to the Christians because in reality, they haven't done anything to deserve the persecutions they are going through.
ReplyDeleteI think the part where he talks about Christians being persecuted to their mere name. This would win alot of support among the populace as people would feel compassion for such prejudice. He also quotes Matthew by saying "Fear not them that kill you, and after that can do no more; but fear Him who after death is able to cast both soul and body into hell." This would be an inspiration to many Christians as well as those who may have been on the fence of converting as Justin says to not fear the Roman persecutors, but to fear God as he is the one who determines their true fate.
ReplyDelete-Zack Krage
I think by far the most influential of the writings listed was section seven where it spoke of the importance of examining Christians on a personal level rather than assuming all act the same, or solely basing judgment on the stereotypes and gossip. Christianity is so centralized around the idea of the individual, and the importance of the individuals relationship with Jesus. That is why I believe this portion led to both the eventual ceasing of judging and persecution of Christians, while also enabling the gospel to be spread, despite people's intentions to once again snuff it out.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 17, he talks about Jesus’ teaching of civil obedience, “Whence to God alone we render worship, but in other things we gladly serve you, acknowledging you as kings and rulers of men, and praying that with your kingly power you be found to possess also sound judgment.” I think this is to say they accept him as an authority, but only if he is just. I think a reasonable person would respect the idea that a tyrant shouldn’t be revered as a legitimate authority.
ReplyDeleteChapter 16 is both good and bad. It’s great that he includes the “turn the other cheek” story, and thus explains that Christians don’t have a vengeful nature, or at least this is their doctrine. This conveys the idea that they are upstanding citizens. During one part, however, he says that the emperor has a “violent and tyrannical disposition” amongst others who doing follow Christianity. In my experience, that doesn’t sound like he’s trying to kiss butt.
In Chapter 27, he attacks the immorality of abusing children, and that they often lead a life of impurity, such as prostitution. He talks about how much of a problem it is, and yet it seems to be a sponsored enterprise throughout the empire. This shows the concern Christians have for the uprightness of society, which any good ruler ought to respect.
Throughout Chapter 30 and the next 12 or so, he talks about Jesus’ coming being foretold millennia before he was born, and by many different people, and that he was a fulfillment of that prophesy, and not just some magician falsely claiming to be the Son of God. I always thought the use of prophesy provided as evidence could be a boon or detriment to an argument, but here it isn’t so hard to believe, as these texts are still around, and things do have an uncanny connection.
~AARON JOHNSTON