S2 Ep1160: Early Christians Were More Messed up Than You Think: Dr. Nadya Williams
Mar 11, 2024
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Delving into the Greco-Roman world, this podcast discusses Rome's transition to an empire, classism challenges faced by early Christians, Paul's teaching on the Eucharist, Constantine's conversion, Christians and military service, and the upcoming book 'Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic' by Dr. Nadya Williams.
The rise of Christianity was fueled by early Christians' compassion and care during crises, attracting many followers.
Christians in the early church grappled with the compatibility of military service due to allegiance to Emperor as a god.
Constantine's conversion to Christianity had significant implications, ushering in a new era of imperial support for the faith.
Deep dives
Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire
The growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire from a persecuted minority to a dominant faith was fueled by the compassion and care shown by early Christians, especially during times of crisis like the third century plague. Christians stood out for their altruism, caring for the sick and vulnerable in a way that was rare in Roman society. This selfless service and genuine care attracted many to the faith, leading to significant growth despite facing persecution.
Christianity and the Military in the Early Church
In the early church, the question of Christians serving in the Roman military was a complex issue due to the requirement of swearing allegiance to the emperor as a god and participating in pagan rituals. Christians grappled with the compatibility of military service with their faith, especially during the Diocletian persecution, where Christians in the military were targeted for not fully adhering to pagan practices.
Conversion of Constantine
Constantine's conversion to Christianity around 312 AD was marked by his visionary encounter with a cross before the battle of Milvian Bridge. While his conversion is often debated due to the timing and his delayed baptism until his death, his embrace of Christianity had significant implications for the church and the Roman Empire, leading to a new era of imperial support for the Christian faith.
The Role of Women in the Early Church
Women in the early church held a more valued and equal position compared to Roman society, where they had limited rights and power. The church provided a space where women played significant roles, were valued for their contributions, and had opportunities for leadership and service, making Christianity attractive to both men and women.
Augustine's Response to the Sack of Rome
In the aftermath of the sack of Rome by the Goths in 410 AD, Augustine's work, 'The City of God,' addressed the theological questions raised by the fall of the city. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the heavenly city over earthly allegiances, cautioning against idolizing temporal powers and highlighting the need for a deeper devotion to God amidst societal disruptions.
In this podcast conversation, we take a deep dive into the Greco-Roman world and look at things like Rome's transition from a republic to an empire, the marriage laws of Caesar Augustus, the rise of Christianity and some of the struggles they had with the broader Roman environment, classism in the ancient world and how Christianity when against it, the background of 1 Cor 11 and what Paul was dealing with in his teaching on the Eucharist, the turbulent 3rd century AD, the conversation of Constantine, the sack of Rome in 410, Christians and military service, and many other things.
Dr. Nadya Williams has a PhD in Classics from Princeton University and is the author of Cultural Christians in the Early Church (Zondervan Academic, 2023) and the forthcoming Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic: Ancient Christianity and the Recovery of Human Dignity (IVP Academic, 2024). She is Book Review Editor for Current, where she also edits The Arena blog.