Kingdoms in

ConflictCould Christians who believed in the Kingdom of God

be loyal citizens of the Roman Empire? Many pagans thought 'no.'

Rachel McNamara, Religion Part 2, 2013(for Senior High School Students)

Loyalty to Christ vs. Loyalty to Caesar

• 2nd century= lingering political questions

• Jesus was executed as a political criminal

• Tradition of Jesus’ crucifixion caused problems with regards to the Roman Empire

• If Christ was their king?– Question of loyalty to the King (emperor of Rome)

• Kingdom of God= denunciation of the Roman Empire/Caesar

Christianity Literature & Predictions • Book of Revelation= strong denunciation of the state

– Rome will be thrown down– Church will survive

• Other Christians state the opposite

• Emperor and governors are ordained by God & people should be respectful of the state

• Christians have not found their place

• Christians are blamed for castrophes

Christian Apologists

• Can Christians participate in public affairs & public social life?

• Greek “apologia” term for a defense in court

• Legal defence before public arena= Christians talk about Christianity

• Writing apologies for Christians• Apologetic tradition= encounter a very intellectual

level of arguments and the social life of their pagan neighbours

Justin the Martyr

• 2nd century• Family was pagan• Encountered Christianity• Apology for Christianity is also a philosophical

argument for the legitimacy of Christianity within the larger Roman intellectual and Roman life

• Owned a philosopher school• Justin: “ Christianity is not the new religion in this

process, they are the old truths”

Justin on Jesus

• Defends the legitimacy of Christianity• New philosopher figure• Jesus is the new Socrates– Died for insightful beliefs and new teachings

• Important role on the spread of Christianity