Our Christian Heritage https://www.nccfgreenville.com Church History Blog Fri, 29 Mar 2024 05:51:26 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Christ and Culture https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/apology-to-the-world https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/apology-to-the-world#comments Sun, 17 Jul 2016 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/apology-to-the-world As the early church began to grow exponentially, they encountered a difficult task. How do they 'become all things to all men' yet still live as 'aliens and strangers' in a pagan culture? The church must make decisions on how they will remain true to their Lord Jesus, yet not compromise with the world around them.

These types of decisions were difficult to make and often cost believers both family and friendships. If Christianity is right and true, then it is right and true for everyone. In the midst of explosive growth and deadly persecution, the believers pursued righteousness and often had to separate themselves from the festivals, events, and cultural activities of the world. 

The following pdf, entitled 'Christ and Culture', gives a brief overview of how the early church answered the world around them and gives ideas for how we should both embrace and reject our culture. 

 

CHRIST and CULTURE PDF

 

In conclusion, Christians were early on called 'The Soul of the World' by one writer. Read this brief excerpt of the Christian's role in the world from the The Epistle to Diognetus.

To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body. As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world, but cannot be identified with the world. As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world, but their religious life remains unseen. The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it, but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures. Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong, but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.
Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body's hatred. It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together, and similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together. The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place; and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven. As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution. Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself.

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As the early church began to grow exponentially, they encountered a difficult task. How do they 'become all things to all men' yet still live as 'aliens and strangers' in a pagan culture? The church must make decisions on how they will remain true to their Lord Jesus, yet not compromise with the world around them.

These types of decisions were difficult to make and often cost believers both family and friendships. If Christianity is right and true, then it is right and true for everyone. In the midst of explosive growth and deadly persecution, the believers pursued righteousness and often had to separate themselves from the festivals, events, and cultural activities of the world. 

The following pdf, entitled 'Christ and Culture', gives a brief overview of how the early church answered the world around them and gives ideas for how we should both embrace and reject our culture. 

 

CHRIST and CULTURE PDF

 

In conclusion, Christians were early on called 'The Soul of the World' by one writer. Read this brief excerpt of the Christian's role in the world from the The Epistle to Diognetus.

To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body. As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world, but cannot be identified with the world. As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world, but their religious life remains unseen. The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it, but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures. Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong, but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.
Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body's hatred. It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together, and similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together. The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place; and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven. As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution. Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself.

]]>
Blood of the Martyrs https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/blood-of-the-martyrs https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/blood-of-the-martyrs#comments Sun, 19 Jun 2016 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/blood-of-the-martyrs The following presentation is a brief survey of the persecution of the early church from 33 AD (pentecost) to 313 AD (The Edict of Milan).

Church History, Volume 03: Persecution

Christians have faced persecution from many sources since the beginning. Christians have a real enemy, Satan, that would see them recant, or be tortured, imprisoned and killed. Revelation tells us of those clothed "in white, beneath the altar of God:

"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been."

Revelation 6:9-11

Many were killed and many will still be killed until '...the number' has been completed. Christians have always been persecuted. The face of persecution, however, is not some shadowy devil with horns, a pitchfork and a tail. Persecution comes from the most ordinary of places. The early church had no advocates, no lawyers to appeal for them, and very few places they could flee to. They were subject to the will of the ruling power of their day.

Foxes book of Martyrs claims that during one of the two Empire wide persecutions under Decius, "numberless Christians were slain without trial, and buried indiscriminately in heaps, sometimes fifty or sixty being cast into a pit together, without the least decency." Decius (the Roman emperor) was trying to recover the traditional Roman religious order. His solution, however, was impossible for Christians to comply with. It was a challenge to their faith and their faithfulness. When Christians did not sacrifice to the Emperor or to the old gods, it was a challenge to the unity and peace of Rome. 

The solution to an obstinate and intolerant group (the Christians) was a systematic, empire-wide persecution that resulted in torture, imprisonment, loss of property and death. This persecution lasted only 1-2 years, but a greater persecution was coming. In 303, the Great Persecution under Diocletian began. This period was the greatest test to Christian faithfulness. Some Christians recanted and gave in to the torture, but many more remained faithful. 

If the Lord allows us to suffer persecution today, may we remain faithful as our brothers and sisters before us. 

 

 

 

 

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The following presentation is a brief survey of the persecution of the early church from 33 AD (pentecost) to 313 AD (The Edict of Milan).

Church History, Volume 03: Persecution

Christians have faced persecution from many sources since the beginning. Christians have a real enemy, Satan, that would see them recant, or be tortured, imprisoned and killed. Revelation tells us of those clothed "in white, beneath the altar of God:

"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been."

Revelation 6:9-11

Many were killed and many will still be killed until '...the number' has been completed. Christians have always been persecuted. The face of persecution, however, is not some shadowy devil with horns, a pitchfork and a tail. Persecution comes from the most ordinary of places. The early church had no advocates, no lawyers to appeal for them, and very few places they could flee to. They were subject to the will of the ruling power of their day.

Foxes book of Martyrs claims that during one of the two Empire wide persecutions under Decius, "numberless Christians were slain without trial, and buried indiscriminately in heaps, sometimes fifty or sixty being cast into a pit together, without the least decency." Decius (the Roman emperor) was trying to recover the traditional Roman religious order. His solution, however, was impossible for Christians to comply with. It was a challenge to their faith and their faithfulness. When Christians did not sacrifice to the Emperor or to the old gods, it was a challenge to the unity and peace of Rome. 

The solution to an obstinate and intolerant group (the Christians) was a systematic, empire-wide persecution that resulted in torture, imprisonment, loss of property and death. This persecution lasted only 1-2 years, but a greater persecution was coming. In 303, the Great Persecution under Diocletian began. This period was the greatest test to Christian faithfulness. Some Christians recanted and gave in to the torture, but many more remained faithful. 

If the Lord allows us to suffer persecution today, may we remain faithful as our brothers and sisters before us. 

 

 

 

 

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The Growth of the Christian Church https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/the-growth-of-the-christian-church https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/the-growth-of-the-christian-church#comments Sat, 21 May 2016 22:00:00 -0400 https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/the-growth-of-the-christian-church How did Christianity grow from a small jewish sect to conquer the Roman world? What made Christianity succeed when every other philosophy, cult, and religion failed?

 

Find the attached file for Growth of the Christian Church.

 

The following excerpt from Safely Home, is a modern day anecdote of Christianity and its treatment of women from a communist chinese backdrop. The role of women and the church is discussed in brief in the Growth of the Christian Church presentation.

 


An excerpt from Safely Home, a novel by Randy Alcorn (ch 30, p. 232ff)

“The presenters said Christianity teaches that men are superior and women are inferior.” Ming stared at Ben incredulously, like someone who would call him an idiot on the spot if she weren’t so kindhearted. “Perhaps they speak of Confucianism? Old proverb say when son born he should be given a piece of jade to play with. But when daughter is born she should be given only broken piece of pottery. Buddhism and Communism have same view of women. Mao Zedong said, ‘Women hold up half the sky.’ But these were only words-everyone knows men are always considered more important.”
“It must have been hard growing up with that view of women.”
She tilted her head. “I did not grow up with that view of women.”
“You grew up in China, didn’t you?”
“I grew up in Christian home. I grew up in church.” She smiled broadly. “Minghua’s father and mother gave her jade.” She laughed. “Of course we could not afford jade. But my brother and I were equal. I never felt parents loved me less. Does Ben Fielding not know that for years pregnant Chinese got a test? The tests are illegal now, but bribes still get them done. When test shows baby is a girl, parents kill her because they want boys. Believers in Yesu will not kill their daughters. They did not mention this at conference in Beijing?
(skipped several paragraphs)
… Ming smiled broadly. “In China, government has given women broken pottery. Yesu has given us jade.”

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How did Christianity grow from a small jewish sect to conquer the Roman world? What made Christianity succeed when every other philosophy, cult, and religion failed?

 

Find the attached file for Growth of the Christian Church.

 

The following excerpt from Safely Home, is a modern day anecdote of Christianity and its treatment of women from a communist chinese backdrop. The role of women and the church is discussed in brief in the Growth of the Christian Church presentation.

 


An excerpt from Safely Home, a novel by Randy Alcorn (ch 30, p. 232ff)

“The presenters said Christianity teaches that men are superior and women are inferior.” Ming stared at Ben incredulously, like someone who would call him an idiot on the spot if she weren’t so kindhearted. “Perhaps they speak of Confucianism? Old proverb say when son born he should be given a piece of jade to play with. But when daughter is born she should be given only broken piece of pottery. Buddhism and Communism have same view of women. Mao Zedong said, ‘Women hold up half the sky.’ But these were only words-everyone knows men are always considered more important.”
“It must have been hard growing up with that view of women.”
She tilted her head. “I did not grow up with that view of women.”
“You grew up in China, didn’t you?”
“I grew up in Christian home. I grew up in church.” She smiled broadly. “Minghua’s father and mother gave her jade.” She laughed. “Of course we could not afford jade. But my brother and I were equal. I never felt parents loved me less. Does Ben Fielding not know that for years pregnant Chinese got a test? The tests are illegal now, but bribes still get them done. When test shows baby is a girl, parents kill her because they want boys. Believers in Yesu will not kill their daughters. They did not mention this at conference in Beijing?
(skipped several paragraphs)
… Ming smiled broadly. “In China, government has given women broken pottery. Yesu has given us jade.”

]]>
You will know them by their love https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/the-noblest-of-early-christian-writings https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/the-noblest-of-early-christian-writings#comments Sat, 21 May 2016 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/the-noblest-of-early-christian-writings This brief excerpt is from the Epistle to Diognetes, a document written between 130 & 200 AD. The letter has been called "the noblest of Early Christian Writers," by J.B. Lightfoot, because of its style and its excellent presentation of the life and activity of the church and its breadth of doctrine. I've only included a brief section that paints a strong picture and summary of last week's description Christianity in its growth and movements. 

Enjoy this noble excerpt. 

5 For Christians cannot be distinguished from the rest of the human race by country or language or customs.  2They do not live in cities of their own; they do not use a peculiar form of speech; they do not follow an eccentric manner of life.  3This doctrine of theirs has not been discovered by the ingenuity or deep thought of inquisitive men, nor do they put forward a merely human teaching, as some people do.  4Yet, although they live in Greek and barbarian cities alike, as each man's lot has been cast, and follow the customs of the country in clothing and food and other matters of daily living, at the same time they give proof of the remarkable and admittedly extraordinary constitution of their own commonwealth.  5They live in their own countries, but only as aliens. They have a share in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their fatherland, and yet for them every fatherland is a foreign land.  6They marry, like everyone else, and they beget children, but they do not cast out their offspring.  7They share their board with each other, but not their marriage bed.  8It is true that they are "in the flesh," but they do not live "according to the flesh."622  9They busy themselves on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven.623  10They obey the established laws, but in their own lives they go far beyond what the laws require.  11They love all men, and by all men are persecuted.  12They are unknown, and still they are condemned; they are put to death, and yet they are brought to life.  13They are poor, and yet they make many rich; they are completely destitute, and yet they enjoy complete abundance.  14They are dishonored, and in their very dishonor are glorified; they are defamed, and are vindicated.  15They are reviled, and yet they bless; when they are affronted, they still pay due respect.  16When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; undergoing punishment, they rejoice because they are brought to life.  17They are treated by the Jews as foreigners and enemies, and are hunted down by the Greeks; and all the time those who hate them find it impossible to justify their enmity.624

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This brief excerpt is from the Epistle to Diognetes, a document written between 130 & 200 AD. The letter has been called "the noblest of Early Christian Writers," by J.B. Lightfoot, because of its style and its excellent presentation of the life and activity of the church and its breadth of doctrine. I've only included a brief section that paints a strong picture and summary of last week's description Christianity in its growth and movements. 

Enjoy this noble excerpt. 

5 For Christians cannot be distinguished from the rest of the human race by country or language or customs.  2They do not live in cities of their own; they do not use a peculiar form of speech; they do not follow an eccentric manner of life.  3This doctrine of theirs has not been discovered by the ingenuity or deep thought of inquisitive men, nor do they put forward a merely human teaching, as some people do.  4Yet, although they live in Greek and barbarian cities alike, as each man's lot has been cast, and follow the customs of the country in clothing and food and other matters of daily living, at the same time they give proof of the remarkable and admittedly extraordinary constitution of their own commonwealth.  5They live in their own countries, but only as aliens. They have a share in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their fatherland, and yet for them every fatherland is a foreign land.  6They marry, like everyone else, and they beget children, but they do not cast out their offspring.  7They share their board with each other, but not their marriage bed.  8It is true that they are "in the flesh," but they do not live "according to the flesh."622  9They busy themselves on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven.623  10They obey the established laws, but in their own lives they go far beyond what the laws require.  11They love all men, and by all men are persecuted.  12They are unknown, and still they are condemned; they are put to death, and yet they are brought to life.  13They are poor, and yet they make many rich; they are completely destitute, and yet they enjoy complete abundance.  14They are dishonored, and in their very dishonor are glorified; they are defamed, and are vindicated.  15They are reviled, and yet they bless; when they are affronted, they still pay due respect.  16When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; undergoing punishment, they rejoice because they are brought to life.  17They are treated by the Jews as foreigners and enemies, and are hunted down by the Greeks; and all the time those who hate them find it impossible to justify their enmity.624

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Church History, an Overview https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/church-history-an-overview https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/church-history-an-overview#comments Sun, 15 May 2016 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/church-history-an-overview The first presentation on the church history overview can be found below:

CH volume 01

 

"He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." Matthew 13:31-33

This verse gives us a picture of the kingdom of God being worked out in the life and development of the church. If we attempt to listen as the original audience did, we would look for the true explanation and interpretation of these parables in vain. We might guess that the kingdom of God would start small and grow large. We might even interpret this Messiah, Jesus, and his parables as a Jewish revolution that starts small but gradually restores the glories of King David or his son Solomon. We could hardly understand, however, that what this parable truly spoke of was the kingdom of God in the growth of the church. From a strictly human perspective, that small Jewish sect eventually overthrew and became the Roman Empire. They did not take up the sword, they did not hold massive conferences, and they didn't have the blessing of the empire. One author has said that the Early Christians outlived, outdied, and outloved the rest of the world.

“During this long succession of centuries it has outlived the destruction of Jerusalem, the dissolution of the Roman Empire, fierce persecutions from without, and heretical corruptions from within, the barbarian invasion, the confusion of the dark ages, the papal tyranny, the shock of infidelity, the ravages of revolution, the attacks of enemies and the errors of friends, the rise and fall of proud kingdoms, empires, and republics, philosophical systems, and social organizations without number, “ (Schaff, Vol. 1, 19)

As we take time to look back over the history of the church, we can be confident in understanding what Jesus meant when he talked about the mustard seed. The tree has grown and is growing still. Jesus is still working through his Holy Spirit to propel the growth of the church to the four corners of the earth.

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The first presentation on the church history overview can be found below:

CH volume 01

 

"He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." Matthew 13:31-33

This verse gives us a picture of the kingdom of God being worked out in the life and development of the church. If we attempt to listen as the original audience did, we would look for the true explanation and interpretation of these parables in vain. We might guess that the kingdom of God would start small and grow large. We might even interpret this Messiah, Jesus, and his parables as a Jewish revolution that starts small but gradually restores the glories of King David or his son Solomon. We could hardly understand, however, that what this parable truly spoke of was the kingdom of God in the growth of the church. From a strictly human perspective, that small Jewish sect eventually overthrew and became the Roman Empire. They did not take up the sword, they did not hold massive conferences, and they didn't have the blessing of the empire. One author has said that the Early Christians outlived, outdied, and outloved the rest of the world.

“During this long succession of centuries it has outlived the destruction of Jerusalem, the dissolution of the Roman Empire, fierce persecutions from without, and heretical corruptions from within, the barbarian invasion, the confusion of the dark ages, the papal tyranny, the shock of infidelity, the ravages of revolution, the attacks of enemies and the errors of friends, the rise and fall of proud kingdoms, empires, and republics, philosophical systems, and social organizations without number, “ (Schaff, Vol. 1, 19)

As we take time to look back over the history of the church, we can be confident in understanding what Jesus meant when he talked about the mustard seed. The tree has grown and is growing still. Jesus is still working through his Holy Spirit to propel the growth of the church to the four corners of the earth.

]]>
Early Christianity and Social Status https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/early-christianity-and-social-status https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/early-christianity-and-social-status#comments Sun, 15 May 2016 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.nccfgreenville.com/our-christian-heritage/post/early-christianity-and-social-status One of the most common critiques of Christianity is that not only does Christianity oppress women, but "the Bible got the easiest moral question that humanity has ever faced wrong. Slavery!" (Sam Harris, Dan Savage respectively). 

In contrast to this view and in light of church history, we can look back at where the church began and find evidence of a historical movement that made an end to slavery possible (and eventual) and also took away the degradation and oppression of women. Since this is a church history post, I'll leave a biblical explanation of this topic to James Hamilton. For now, we will look back at what Christianity actually did for Women & slaves (starting in the early church).

In thinking about the growth of the early church, a common complaint against Christianity was this:

The Christian message is like this; Let no one educated, no one wise, and no one sensible come near.” He said, “By the fact that Christians admit that these people are worthy of their God they show that they want and are able to convince only the foolish, the dishonorable, and the stupid, only slaves, women, and little children.” - Celsus (an opponent of Origen in the 2nd century)

Christianity began as a social movement among those who had little influence, authority or worldly power. Christianity was not a top-down religion, or the most persuasive among many. It didn't blossom in a vacuum because there simply weren't a lot of options. On the contrary, in the 1st century AD, there were several opportunities to pursue your spiritual or philosophical side. 

You could easily participate in the pagan rites & worship of the old Roman Pantheon, though, the worship of Zeus and Artemis was slowly going out of style. If you disliked the formality and indifference of the pagan idols, you could try out one of the mystery religions like the cult of Isis or Mithras that promised personal salvation and a spiritual relationship. If all of the rituals & sacrificial system was too mystical for an individual to handle, then one might find solace in the rational philosophies of stoicism and epicuraneanism that lead to a good life and hope and beyond death. Above these options was the imperial cult (or the worship of the emperor). You could believe in all or none of these religions/philosophies, but you were required to worship the emperor. In the midst of all of these competing philosophies & religions, Christianity emerges with its exclusive claims and begins to be accepted initially by the lower and forgotten classes of society. Minucius Felix, a Christian apologist, said ,"That many of us are called poor is not our disgrace but our glory." 

When the Renaissance looked back to the glories of Rome & Greece, they looked back to a time when even the most advanced and enlightened philosophies promoted slavery as a necessity and denied women participation as citizens and members of its religions and philosophies. Christianity was different. Christianity openly embraced women and slaves as full members. It was unique to the point that a slave named Callistus became Bishop of Rome in the early 3rd century. The end of slavery in the English Empire was accomplished in large part by a Christian man, William Wilberforce. Women were no longer second class citizens, but given the privileges denied to them in every other religious system. 

Christianity created a world that would set slaves free and give women separate but equal footing in the world. No other system, philosophy, or religion can boast that. 

]]>
One of the most common critiques of Christianity is that not only does Christianity oppress women, but "the Bible got the easiest moral question that humanity has ever faced wrong. Slavery!" (Sam Harris, Dan Savage respectively). 

In contrast to this view and in light of church history, we can look back at where the church began and find evidence of a historical movement that made an end to slavery possible (and eventual) and also took away the degradation and oppression of women. Since this is a church history post, I'll leave a biblical explanation of this topic to James Hamilton. For now, we will look back at what Christianity actually did for Women & slaves (starting in the early church).

In thinking about the growth of the early church, a common complaint against Christianity was this:

The Christian message is like this; Let no one educated, no one wise, and no one sensible come near.” He said, “By the fact that Christians admit that these people are worthy of their God they show that they want and are able to convince only the foolish, the dishonorable, and the stupid, only slaves, women, and little children.” - Celsus (an opponent of Origen in the 2nd century)

Christianity began as a social movement among those who had little influence, authority or worldly power. Christianity was not a top-down religion, or the most persuasive among many. It didn't blossom in a vacuum because there simply weren't a lot of options. On the contrary, in the 1st century AD, there were several opportunities to pursue your spiritual or philosophical side. 

You could easily participate in the pagan rites & worship of the old Roman Pantheon, though, the worship of Zeus and Artemis was slowly going out of style. If you disliked the formality and indifference of the pagan idols, you could try out one of the mystery religions like the cult of Isis or Mithras that promised personal salvation and a spiritual relationship. If all of the rituals & sacrificial system was too mystical for an individual to handle, then one might find solace in the rational philosophies of stoicism and epicuraneanism that lead to a good life and hope and beyond death. Above these options was the imperial cult (or the worship of the emperor). You could believe in all or none of these religions/philosophies, but you were required to worship the emperor. In the midst of all of these competing philosophies & religions, Christianity emerges with its exclusive claims and begins to be accepted initially by the lower and forgotten classes of society. Minucius Felix, a Christian apologist, said ,"That many of us are called poor is not our disgrace but our glory." 

When the Renaissance looked back to the glories of Rome & Greece, they looked back to a time when even the most advanced and enlightened philosophies promoted slavery as a necessity and denied women participation as citizens and members of its religions and philosophies. Christianity was different. Christianity openly embraced women and slaves as full members. It was unique to the point that a slave named Callistus became Bishop of Rome in the early 3rd century. The end of slavery in the English Empire was accomplished in large part by a Christian man, William Wilberforce. Women were no longer second class citizens, but given the privileges denied to them in every other religious system. 

Christianity created a world that would set slaves free and give women separate but equal footing in the world. No other system, philosophy, or religion can boast that. 

]]>