The Defense of the Faith (Part 2)

The History of Christianity #31

Our Scripture verse today is Hebrews 11:1 which reads: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Our quote today is from Justin Martyr. He said: "We do not seek to flatter you...but request that you judge on the basis of a proper and thorough investigation."

Today, we are examining "The Defense of the Faith" (Part 2) from Dr. Justo L. Gonzalez's fine book, The Story of Christianity (Volume 1).

Today's subject is Base Rumors and Lofty Criticism
During the reign of Marcus Aurelius, one such intellectual, Celsus, wrote a refutation of Christianity called The True Word. There he expressed the feelings of those who, like him, were wise and sophisticated. He wrote:

In some private homes we find people who work with wool and rags, and cobblers, that is, the least cultured and most ignorant kind. Before the head of the household, they dare not utter a word. But as soon as they can take the children aside or some women who are as ignorant as they are, they speak wonders...If you really wish to know the truth, leave your teachers and your father, and go with the women and the children to the women's quarters, or to the cobbler's shop, or to the tannery, and there you will learn the perfect life. It is thus that these Christians find those who will believe them.

At about the same time, the pagan Cornelius Fronto (frun-to) wrote a treatise against Christians that unfortunately has been lost. But the Christian writer Minucius (mi-noo-shee-uhs) Felix may be quoting him when he puts the following words in the mouth of a pagan:

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