Christians in the Empire Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Christians in the conglomerate - Essay ExampleHence it is easy to hypothesise what a multitude of people can be reformed if an opportunity for repentance is afforded. The Roman Empire has also forbidden any secret meetings, and considered them to be political associations against the emperor as Pliny clearly states in accordance with your instructions, I had forbidden political associations. Christians were treated like treators, like conspirators, to the state and the established heathen religion. Pagans considered Christians to be a threat to their own gods, and they considered that misfortunes or natural disasters came from the Christians God.Pliny didnt know how to prosecute the Christians. For him they were superstitious people, effective ignorant people. So Pliny states the interest as he didnt know what to do I have neer participated in trials of Christians. I therefore do non know what offenses it is the practice to punish or investigate, and to what event. . .Trajan t ells him that he has treated the matter in the right way when he say You observed proper procedure, my upright Pliny, in sifting the cases of those who had been denounced to you as Christians. There is some uncertainty in Trajans mind when he said For it is not possible to lay down any general rule to serve as a kind of fixed standard. But Trajan is positive about not persecuting the Christians. So he said They are not to be sought out. This policy makes it easier for Christians to live in the Empire as they were not going to be chased openly. It is also clear in Trajans words that the anonymous accusations are not going to be taken into account. He said But anonymously posted accusations ought to have no place in any prosecution. For this is both a dangerous kind of precedent and out of guardianship with the spirit of our age. This policy by the emperor eased matters for Christians as they were not going to be persecuted openly, further it was not a perfect solution as they we re not considered to be normal citizens in the empire. They were remedy forbidden. 3. How does Tertullian justify the Christians refusal to worship the emperorTertullian gives powerful reason for not worshipping the Emperor based on the temperament of the Christians conviction about the neat God. He said very convincingly For we invoke the eternal God, the true God, the living God for the safety of the emperors. . . . Tertullian states also that Christians do pray in favor of all the emperors with the following words Looking up to heaven, the Christians - with hands outspread, because innocent, with head bare because we do not blush, yes And without a autocue because we pray from the heart - are ever praying for all the emperors. We pray for a fortunate life for them, a secure rule, a safe house, brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous