The History of Christianity: From the Disciples to the Dawn of the Reformation

Lecture 8: Forms of Witness—martyrdom and

apologetic

portrayed Christianity as the best of philosophies, summing up the

best desires of Gentile and Jewish wisdom.

•    The brilliant Carthaginian convert Tertullian was trained in law, and

his Apology of 197, written in Latin, appeals for the legal toleration

of Christianity. Tertullian argues that Christians are highly moral

and benefactors to society, even as he attacked the religious mores

of Gentiles.

•    The lengthiest and most intellectually sophisticated apology was

written by Origen of Alexandria at the beginning of the 3rd century.

In the eight books of Against Celsus, he responds vigorously

to the attacks made on Christianity by the Greek philosopher. In

his extensive argument against Celsus, Origen demonstrated an

intellectual capacity and learning equal to his interlocutor.

•    With the apologists of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, Christianity took

the first steps toward intellectual self-consciousness and toward

claiming a place within Greco-Roman culture—on its own terms.

Grant, Greek Apologists of the Second Century.

Moss, The Other Christs.

1. What does the willingness to be martyred say about the early Christian
   convictions concerning union with Christ and the resurrection of life?


2. Discuss how the writing of apologetic literature—the practice of “seeing
   ourselves as others see us”—has an effect on both self-presentation and
   self-understanding within communities.

Suggested Reading

Questions to Consider