MMW 12 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: The Good Life, Original Sin, Theodicy
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-Roman Views of Christianity!
•Christians as seditious !
•Christians as haters of humanity!
•Christians as superstitious!
•Do ut des!
-I give that you may give!
•Pliny the Younger (61- 112 CE)!
•Emperor Trajan (53-117 CE)!
•Christianity defied Roman religion in every way!
•Paul took it it upon himself to upon up christianity to non-jews, gentiles!
•Christianity was unwilling to abide by the norms of Roman society!
•Christians were seen as:!
-Deserving of death!
-Cannibals!
-Atheists!
•Odd paradox!
-Incestuous!
•In the early days, there were no depictions of God!
•Christians were demeaned in Roman culture and unwilling to forsake Jesus!
-As a result, they were put to death!
•Found them dangerous bc they weren’t following Roman laws and customs due to
religious reasons!
•Martyrdom!
-Ignatius of Antioch (mid first century to early second century CE)!
-In letter to roman churches!
•“I am writing to all the Churches and state”!
-Perpetua (died 203 CE, but date is uncertain)!
•Passion of Perpetua!
-Vase passage!
-Page 28!
•“I saw a ladder of tremendous height”!
•To be religious is to pay attention e.g., the weapons!
•Satan/Lucifer = dragon!
-Page 29!
-“I am glad you have come, my child”!
-Relics!
-Martyr!
-Martyrdom!
•A brief history of Christianity in Rome Leading Up to Augustine!
-Christians Persecutions:!
•64 — Nero!
-Christians were blamed for the great fire!
•1st-2nd century, sporadic persecutions!
-Persecutions!
•250-251 — Decius!
•257—260 Valerian!
•303 —> onwards — Great Persecution of Diocletian!
-In 3rd century, different germanic tribes attacked Rome!
-Rome had so much wealth and they wanted it!
-As a result it became shaky!
-Call to law that they were not true Roman men and women !
Document Summary
Roman views of christianity: christians as seditious, christians as haters of humanity, christians as superstitious, do ut des. Incestuous: in the early days, there were no depictions of god, christians were demeaned in roman culture and unwilling to forsake jesus. As a result, they were put to death: found them dangerous bc they weren"t following roman laws and customs due to religious reasons, martyrdom. Ignatius of antioch (mid rst century to early second century ce) In letter to roman churches: i am writing to all the churches and state . Perpetua (died 203 ce, but date is uncertain: passion of perpetua. Page 28: i saw a ladder of tremendous height , to be religious is to pay attention e. g. , the weapons, satan/lucifer = dragon. I am glad you have come, my child . Martyrdom: a brief history of christianity in rome leading up to augustine. Christians were blamed for the great re: 1st-2nd century, sporadic persecutions.
