REL 1350 05 Apologists 2015 - The Apologists: Christianity...

The Apologists:
Christianity and Culture
(REL 1350 Weaver)
 Remember: Christians an illegal religion until the 4 th century
Pagan Attacks
 Criticism
o Moral debasement-c__________ (Eucharist/Lord’s Supper), incest, orgies
(Agape love feast)
o Social aloofness
o Political t______-no military, public office, no sacrifices to emperor
o Atheism – Christians wouldn’t worship the Roman ______
o Beliefs in Incarnation/Resurrection absurd
Reply to Pagan Charges via the Apology (Defense of the Faith)
 One approach was Separation from World/Cultural Separatism
o Christ ________ Culture approach
o Tertullian: Who needs Greek philosophy? It is pagan and will pollute
Christian thought.
 “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem, What has the Academy to do
with the _______?”
 He affirms the Rule of Faith – no need to investigate further
 The Blood of the Martyrs is the _____ of the Church
o Development of Monasticism
 Rejection of the World
 Move to the desert for communion with God
o Founder: St. A______ (San Antonio)
 Hermit
