In the media and in politics, we often find labels being used. Those who oppose abortion are called "pro-life", while those who support the legalisation of abortion call themselves "pro-choice". In Singapore, we hear terms like "pro-family" to refer to the Government's policies supporting marriage, parenthood and so on.
Terms like these may obscure the actual reasons or viewpoints and prevent discussion, but they sometimes serve to create an easy starting point for reference purposes.
Early disciples of Jesus Christ did not call themselves "Christians", but instead referred to their faith as "the Way" (Acts 9:2). The Book of Acts then records that the disciples were called "Christians" first at Antioch (Acts 11:26), a term that probably held the same connotation as the term "Jesus freak" in our day.
It was a term which characterised their beliefs and perspectives in a way that others could easily understand.
Roman senator and historian Tacitus wrote the following in his Annals about Christians and Christ:
Early Christians were known for their refusal to worship Caesar and paid a heavy price for it.
They were also known for their opposition to gladiatorial fights. One Roman writer has criticised Christians, saying:
Other ethical values which marked the early church included their treatment of slaves, opposition to abortion and infanticide, as well as sexual ethics which were radically different from those practiced by the people around them.
But in the 21st century AD, the meaning of the word "Christian" has largely faded in significance, especially in light of moral confusion even among churchgoers.
It was a term which characterised their beliefs and perspectives in a way that others could easily understand.
Roman senator and historian Tacitus wrote the following in his Annals about Christians and Christ:
Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judæa, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular...
Early Christians were known for their refusal to worship Caesar and paid a heavy price for it.
They were also known for their opposition to gladiatorial fights. One Roman writer has criticised Christians, saying:
You do not go to our shows; you take no part in our processions... you shrink in horror from our sacred [gladiatorial] games.
Other ethical values which marked the early church included their treatment of slaves, opposition to abortion and infanticide, as well as sexual ethics which were radically different from those practiced by the people around them.
But in the 21st century AD, the meaning of the word "Christian" has largely faded in significance, especially in light of moral confusion even among churchgoers.
What would characterise the beliefs and perspectives of a follower of Jesus Christ now?
No comments:
Post a Comment