Equal rights for Christians
Athenagoras pleaded forequal rights for Christians. All kinds of religions were allowed to flourish in the empire,even the silliest and most wicked. Christianity alone was singled out for persecution. Furthermore,when Christians were brought to court,the normal rules of trial were violated.
Who wrote a plea for the Christians?
A PLEA FOR THE CHRISTIANS BY ATHENAGORAS THE ATHENIAN: PHILOSOPHER AND CHRISTIAN To the Emperors Marcus Aurelius Anoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, conquerors of Armenia and Sarmatia, and more than all, philosophers. CHAP. I.–INJUSTICE SHOWN TOWARDS THE CHRISTIANS.
What were the arguments of Athenagoras in defense of the resurrection?
Thus, arguments in defense of the resurrection were common among the early Christians. Athenagoras’ defense is a notable one because he was an Athenian. In Acts 17 we learn that when Paul was Athens, he was given a hearing … until he mentioned the resurrection of the dead, which ended the meeting at Mars Hill (v. 32).
Was Athenagoras an apologist?
Christian-History.org does not receive any personally identifiable information from the search bar below. Athenagoras is a virtually unknown apologist. He is not even mentioned in Eusebius Ecclesiastical History, which preserves more of early Christian history than any other work.
Why is Athenagoras writing to the emperor of Rome?
Further, Athenagoras is writing to the emperor, trying to state what all Christians believe, not what some portion of them believe.
What is the preface of the book "Your Most Excellent Majesties"?
Preface. 1. In your Empire, Your Most Excellent Majesties, different peoples observe different laws and customs; and no one is hindered by law or fear of punishment from devotion to his ancestral ways, even if they are ridiculous. A citizen of Troy calls Hector a god, and worships Helen, taking her for Adrasteia.
Which two statues are still in the forum?
The former place has statues of Neryllinus; a contemporary of ours. Parium has statues of Alexander and Proteus. Both the tomb and the statue of Alexander are still in the forum.
Is the incorporeal before the corporeal?
Nor the fact that the incorporeal is prior to the corporeal, and the intelligible precedes the sensible. It is true, of course, that we first experience the sensible; but the corporeal owes its origin to the incorporeal by being combined with the intelligible. The sensible similarly owes its origin to the intelligible.
Is Zeus a god?
If, then, Zeus is fire, Hera the earth, Aïdoneus the air, and Nestis water, and these (fire, water, and air) are elements, then none of them — Zeus, Hera, or Aïdoneus — is a god. For the nature and origin of these elements is derived from God’s separating matter into its different parts:
Is clay matter or art?
The clay is matter, the potter is an artist. So is God the creator an artist, while matter is subject to him for the sake of his art. But as clay cannot by itself become pottery without art, so matter, which is altogether pliable, cannot receive distinction, form, or beauty apart from God the creator.
Is the Son of God the mind of the Father?
And since the Son is in the Father and the Father in the Son by the unity and power of the Spirit, the Son of God is the mind and Word of the Father. But if, owing to your sharp intelligence, it occurs to you to inquire further what is meant by the Son, I shall briefly explain. He is the first offspring of the Father.
Who is the first to go forth?
Plato makes this further statement: "Zeus, the great sovereign in heaven, driving his winged chariot, is the first to go forth, setting all things in order and giving heed to them. There follows him a host of gods and demons.". [915]This does not have reference to the Zeus who is said to be born of Kronos.
Who wrote a plea for the Christians?
A PLEA FOR THE CHRISTIANS BY ATHENAGORAS THE ATHENIAN: PHILOSOPHER AND CHRISTIAN
What did the Athenians do to celebrate mysteries?
The Athenians also perform religious rites and celebrate mysteries in honour of Agraulus and Pandrosus, women who were deemed guilty of impiety for opening the box. In short, among every nation and people, men offer whatever sacrifices and celebrate whatever mysteries they please.
What does Philolaus say about God?
Philolaus, too, when he says that all things are included in God as in a stronghold, teaches that He is one, and that He is superior to matter. Lysis and Opsimus thus define God: the one says that He is an ineffable number, the other that He is the excess of the greatest number beyond that which comes nearest to it.
What are the three things that are alleged against us?
Three things are alleged against us: atheism, Thyestean feasts, OEdipodean intercourse. But if these charges are true, spare no class: proceed at once against our crimes; destroy us root and branch, with our wives and children, if any Christian is found to live like the brutes.
Who asserts the same thing in his treatise concerning the gods?
Apollodorus, too, assert s the same thing in his treatise concerning the gods.
Who said the gods were men?
But it is perhaps necessary, in accordance with what has already been adduced, to say a little about their names. Herodotus, then, and Alexander the son of Philip, in his letter to his mother (and each of them is said to have conversed with the priests at Heliopolis, and Memphis, and Thebes), affirm that they learnt from them that the gods had been men. Herodotus speaks thus: "Of such a nature were, they said, the beings represented by these images, they were very far indeed from being gods. However, in the times anterior to them it was otherwise; then
Who bathes with tears The human founts?
But perhaps these things are poetic vagary, and there is some natural explanation of them, such as this by Empedocles:- "Let Jove be fire, and Juno source of life, With Pluto and Nestis, who bathes with tears The human founts."
How many books has Paul Pavao written?
Paul Pavao has written three full-length books and three booklets. They get excellent reviews on Amazon.
When was Athenagoras mentioned?
Athenagoras is not mentioned by early historians. He is mentioned by Methodius about a century after he wrote A Plea for the Christians, and he is not mentioned again until the 5th century.
What is the best defence of the Christians produced in that age?
His Apology is the best defence of the Christians produced in that age.
Why is Athenagoras’ defense so notable?
Athenagoras’ defense is a notable one because he was an Athenian. In Acts 17 we learn that when Paul was Athens, he was given a hearing … until he mentioned the resurrection of the dead, which ended the meeting at Mars Hill (v. 32).
Who wrote a defense of Christianity called "A Plea for the Christians"?
Athenagoras was a late 2nd century Christian apologist who wrote a defense of Christianity called _A Plea for the Christians_. It’s contents are revealing of what early Christianity was like.
Who brought the resurrection back up?
Athenagoras the Athenian brings it back up more than a century later with a long, detailed defense of the resurrection.
Who is Athenagoras in Eusebius?
Athenagoras is a virtually unknown apologist. He is not even mentioned in Eusebius Ecclesiastical History, which preserves more of early Christian history than any other work.
What are the three things that are alleged against us?
Three things are alleged against us: atheism, Thyestean feasts, OEdipodean intercourse. But if these charges are true, spare no class: proceed at once against our crimes; destroy us root and branch, with our wives and children, if any Christian is found to live like the brutes. And yet even the brutes do not touch the flesh of their own kind; and they pair by a law of natu
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Who was Athenagoras’ plea for Christians?
Athenagoras plea for Christians was to the emperor Marcus Aurelius. Marcus was a stoic philosopher and from what I heard, in many ways, he was one of the better emperors, but sadly he had a strong prejudice against Christians and greatly increased their persecution. One can tell that Athenagoras genuinely admired Marcus and hoped if the emperor only got the facts on of the matter, he would see the Christians innocents and put an end to the slaughter. The first section really did sadden my heart,
Why did Marcus Aurelius do the savage treatment of Christians?
Why did he do it? Because of the extreme persecution his fellow Christians were experiencing under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, now considered to be one of the most enlightened Roman emperors. Savage Treatment for Christians. Christians were being targeted again for arrest and unthinkable persecution.
Why was Christianity punished?
Many were condemned merely for bearing the name "Christian.". They were punished for things they never dreamed of doing: atheism, cannibalism and incest.
Why do Christians call each other brother and sister?
Yes, Christians called each other brother and sister, but it was only to express the relationship they had as children of God. As for cannibalism, the charge was too absurd; far from killing and eating people, Christians even forbade abortion and rescued babies whom pagans threw on the rubbish heaps.
What does the prophetic spirit say?
The prophetic Spirit also agrees with our statements. "The Lord" it says, "made me, the beginning of His ways to His works.". The Holy Spirit Himself also, which operates in the prophets, we assert to be an effluence of God, flowing from Him, and returning back again like a beam of the sun.
What are some examples of persecution?
Many suffocated in dungeons, while others were tortured with fire in an arena or tossed and dragged by maddened beasts. The slave girl Blandina is a classic example.
Who wrote the letter to the Christians?
So in AD 177, he penned his letter, Embassy for the Christians. The letter was addressed "To the Emperors Marcus Aurelius Anoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, conquerors of Armenia and Sarmatia, and more than all, philosophers.".
Did Athenagoras have a high name?
With credentials like that, you would think he would be well known. In fact, he does not have high name recognition now, nor did he in his own day. He was hardly mentioned by other early church writers.
What chapter does the poet say the Gods themselves have been created?
Chapter XVIII. —The Gods Themselves Have Been Created, as the Poets Confess.
What is Chapter VIII?
Chapter VIII.—Absurdities of Polytheism. Chapter IX.—The Testimony of the Prophets. Chapter X.—. The Christians Worship the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Chapter XI.—The Moral Teaching of the Christians Repels the Charge Brought Against Them. Chapter XII.—Consequent Absurdity of the Charge of Atheism.
What chapter is Proof of the Same from the Poets?
Chapter XXIX. —Proof of the Same from the Poets.
What chapter is "claim to be treated as others are when accused"?
Chapter II. —Claim to Be Treated as Others are When Accused.
Which chapter is the opinion of Thales and Plato?
Chapter XXIII. —Opinions of Thales and Plato.