“BEHOLD how they love one another.” This was a
hallmark of the early Christians. Yet these same believers were the object of
repeated persecutions and oppression for almost the first 300 years.
Why were
the believers so hated in the Roman Empire? What were they guilty of? What were
the charges against them?
1. Cannibalism. The
Roman world could not understand the communion or Eucharist. They heard
references to “partaking of the Lord’s
body” and assumed there was cannibalism going on behind closed doors. This
accusation didn’t last long, as the Christians were able to show that it was
bread and wine—not human flesh—they were using.
2.Disruption of business. Guilty as
charged. In some places the growth of the church hurt the income of the pagan
religions
by curtailing their sale of animals and sacrificial
meat. (See also the disruption caused in Acts 19:21ff.)
3. Gross immorality
including incest.
The believers called each other “brother” and
“sister” and professed love for one another. The pagans assumed this had to
involve lust and immorality. The exemplary lives of
Christians eventually put this accusation to rest.
4. Anti-Family. There was
an element of truth in this charge. When one became a believer, he or she was
welcomed into the family of Christ. This new family became the Christian’s
deepest commitment. The new faith also typically made believers better family
members than they had been before. But when a conflict came up between their
natural family and the family of Christ, first loyalty was to Christ.
5. Poverty. Christians
were ridiculed by the pagans because so many of their number were poor. Their
god was not all that good, the pagans figured, if he didn’t care that they were
poor. And he wasn’t all that great if he didn’t do anything about it. The
Christians countered that there were advantages to “traveling light.” Wealth
could become a snare, and, besides, they were
rich in what counted most in life. They somehow not
only managed to find enough to get by, but were even able to share with others
in need out of their meager resources.
6. Atheism. The Roman
world had a multitude of gods, and statues all around to represent them.
Christians insisted there was only one true God, invisible in the heavens, and
they refused to honor the Roman gods. Thus the Romans considered them atheists.
7. Novelty. The Roman
world honored tradition and the ancient religions were revered because they
were old. Christianity was accused of being a new upstart. Traditional Romans
feared that converts were merely seduced by the novelty of this new faith.
Christians countered that they were heirs of Judaism, an ancient faith the
Romans recognized. Besides that, the Christians claimed they were the most
ancient faith of all—they worshiped the God who existed before creation.
8. Lack of Patriotism. There
was no distinction between church and state in the Roman Empire. All civic
festivals were religious. It was expected that all would participate and thank
the gods for their blessings to the empire. Christians would not participate
because it would imply they were worshiping gods they denied. This would be
idolatry. Further, Christians would not join the army because they did not
believe in killing. So there was some validity to this charge, yet Christians
affirmed their loyalty to the state, prayed for the emperor, and lived lives as
exemplary citizens.
9. Anti-social behavior. This was
related to the charge above, since the Christians would not participate in the
civic festivals nor involve themselves in what they considered immoral
behavior. Many Romans resented their independence and their conviction that
they were “in the world but not of the world.” So Christians were often scorned
and charged with anti-social behavior.
10. Cause of Disasters. Because
the Christians would not honor the Roman religions and gods, when flood,
famine, or disaster came, it was assumed that the Christians were the cause.
The gods were sending punishment, many Romans figured, because of the
Christians’ atheism. This charge played a large role in the notable persecution
at Lyons in 177 under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Satirizing the prevailing view,
the church father Tertullian put it this way: “If the Tiber reaches the walls,
if the Nile does not rise to the fields, if the sky doesn’t move or the earth
does, if there is famine, if there is plague, the cry is at once: The
Christians to the lion.”
Yes, A realThreat
As you see, the Romans perceived the Christians as
a threat. That is why they had so many accusations. While many of the charges
were frivolous and false, the Romans were right in perceiving the threat.
Christianity did pose a mortal danger to many of the most deeply held
assumptions of the Roman world. In what ways does our present society see the
church as a threat?
What are their charges against us? Which are valid
and which are not?
N.B.: 1. This is only my notes on my study on Church
History in Christians Leaders Institute (CLI), a free
Bible study course. Please join the Course to study a highly esteemed lessons
on theology.
