CLAS / PHIL 2610.
Paganism to Christianity
Lecture 20. Apologists
I. The Success of Christianity
A.
External Factors
-Judaism
= trailblazer
-Hellenism
and Homogeneity: Spread
-Peace:
-Edward
Gibbon The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire 2nd C = “human race most
happy and prosperous”; Roads and transport
-Toleration: Trajan to Pliny (LM 14.1)
B.
Internal Factors (Gibbon again Ch. 15)
“Inflexible
and Intolerant Zeal”
“Doctrine
of future life”: Hope; Strength;
Resentment
“Miraculous
Powers”
“Pure
and Austere Morals”
“Union
and Discipline of Church” (Rise of Bishops)
“Charity”: Poor, widows, burial, lodging
“Not
Extreme”: No social revolt (slavery)
II. The Christian Synagogue
A.
Destruction of the Temple (AD 70)
B.
First Reaction: New Testament = Christ is new temple
C.
Competition:
1.
Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 22;
Isaiah 53
2.
Converts
D.
Bar Kochba Revolt (AD 135)
III. Defense of the Faith
A.
Apologia (defense; refutation)
Charges: Atheism (monotheism); Incest (language of
fraternity); Secrecy; Cannibalism (“Body of Christ”)
Basis? Carpocratians; Phibionites
B.
Justin Martyr (d. 165)
Philosophical
Education; Conversion
Apology: Combines Philosophy (Plato) and Xianity
“Christianity
is the true philosophy”
B.
Athenagoras
1. Atheism: One God; Denies sacrifice (from action to deed; from ritual to theology); Denies Pagan Gods: Names and images created or invented; Demons
2. Cannibalism:
killing forbidden; gladiators forbidden; abortion forbidden
3. Promiscuity:
lust forbidden; divorce forbidden