longer.blue

The Early Church was radically nonviolent. “We who formerly used to murder one another now refrain from even making war upon our enemies.” —The First Apology of Justin Martyr These early Church Fathers witnessed firsthand the atrocities committed on their flock, and in some cases went willingly to their martyrdom. "The Lord, in disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier.” —Tertullian from “On Idolatry” I wonder at modern day Christians. We live now in a post-Christian society, but the persecution that is so insisted upon doesn't seem to hold a candle to the bonfire that was Roman persecution. “I do not wish to be a king; I am not anxious to be rich; I decline military command… Die to the world, repudiating the madness that is in it.” —Tatian’s Address to the Greeks These nonviolent teachings were nearly universal (as far as I am aware) and only began to change after Constantine converted the Empire to Christianity. It seems, when Christianity is married to Empire, justification for bloodshed is not far behind. “Above all, Christians are not allowed to correct with violence.” —Clement of Alexandria