CHHI 520 - History of the Christian Church I

1. What were the real causes of persecution? Early Christians were persecuted because (1) the Jews thought they were against God, (2) the Romans stopped seeing Christianity as part of Judaism (Jews kicked them out in 64AD) and considered it an illegitimate religion, (3) the Romans did not like their refusal to worship the Emperor along with God, (4) most Christians were not wealthy and were thus vulnerable to those in power, (5) the Christians viewed everyone as basically equal before God, (6) the Christians practiced separation, (7) the Christians were enthusiastic (God in you) rather than stoic, (8) the Christians were blamed for many natural disasters because their practices were disturbing the gods, (9) their preaching had an adverse effect on business, (10) many Christians would not fight in the army, and (11) the Christians were exclusive in their service and would not worship other gods.

2. What accusations were brought against the Christians? The Romans could not bring action against a Christian unless they had a charge. Therefore, they often cited the Christians for treason because they would not bow to the Emperor. They often accused them of atheistic worship since their God was not seen or heard. Finally, they would sometimes accuse them of cannibalism because of their observance of the Lord's Supper. Interestingly, Revelation 2:10 mentions ten days of tribulation, so biblical scholars have identified ten Roman emperors who led those persecutions. They may or may not be a fulfillment of that verse.

3. Discuss the two sporadic persecutions. Emperor Nero reigned from 54-68AD. He started out as a very good emperor but apparently went insane in his later years. He killed his mother and other family members. He also killed a lot of other Christians in Rome "on occasion". In 64AD, there was a large fire in Rome that he blamed on the Christians. According to Tacitus, Nero was actually responsible for the fire, but the people still went after the Christians. Following the fire, a local persecution occurred for about one or two years. Domitian reigned from 81-96AD. He persecuted Jews and Christians because they would not pay taxes for their worship. His persecution was particularly gruesome because he would sometimes bury his victims alive.

4. Discuss the six organized persecutions. With the six organized persecution, Rome began a "constant" Imperial policy of persecution. First, Trajan ruled from 98-117AD. He received a letter from casual Pliny that discussed their fairly laid back approach to dealing with the Christians. They would not seek them out, and when found, they would give them opportunity to repent of their evil beliefs. In 110AD, Ignatius was torn by wild beasts in the arena. Second, Hadrian reigned from 117-138AD. He persecuted the Jews who had rebelled in 135AD. He also perecuted the Christians because they were an unlawful cult. Third, Antoninus Pius reigned from 138-161AD. During his reign, many natural disasters occurred which were blamed on the Christians. Pius tried unsuccessfully to shield the Christians. During this period, Polycarp was burned at the stake. Fourth, Marcus Aurelius reigned from 161-180AD. He was a stoic who thought that the Christians were too stubborn and fanatical. In 165AD, he beheaded Justin Martyr. Fifth, Commodus reigned from 180-193AD. He was a very brutal man, yet he was very moderate with his persecution of Christians. He might have had an affair with a woman who became a Christian, and because of her, he took it easy on the Christians. During this time, Rome was starting to decline. Some thought that that was reason for more persecution, but others thought just the opposite. Sixth, Septimus Severus reigned from 193-211AD. He ended the Imperial persecution because of Rome's continuing decline. Persecuting Christians had not worked, so the Romans started to ease up a bit. He did, however, make it illegal for Christians to witness and proselyte new converts. During this time, Leonidas, who was father of Origen, was killed.

5. Discuss the two universal persecutions. The final two emperors of the ten were Decius and Diocletian, and they had a "universal" persecution policy where they were determined to destroy the church. Decius reigned from 249-251AD, and he declared that it was illegal to be a Christian. He had pastors killed and church members imprisoned. If they did not repent of their crimes against Rome, then they, too, would be put to death. Decius died unexpectedly in 251AD. Diocletian reigned from 284-305AD. He began his reign with no persecution and was one of Rome's best emperors. He blamed the Christians for Rome's decline and proclaimed the year 303AD as the time when he would destroy the church. Ironically, he was one of Rome's strongest emperors. But when he failed to destroy the church, he gave up and abdicated the throne. Through 250 years of pesecution, the church had stood.