Deck 26: Christians and Pagans: 1 Peter, the Letters of Ignatius, the Martyrdom of Polycarp, and Later Apologetic Literature

Question 1

In Ignatius's letters to the churches of Asia Minor, he repeats several themes, such as the importance of unity, the purity of belief, and the acceptance of the clerical hierarchy. Discuss each of these themes, referring to Ignatius's letters whenever possible. How do these letters help scholars reconstruct the rise of proto-orthodox Christianity?

Answer 1

Students should refer to the excerpts from Ignatius's letters found in the accompanying reader. In general, each of these themes safeguards "right belief." If churches are unified, they will accept the same teachings as correct. The clergy serve as guides for the churches as they develop more detailed statements of belief. Ignatius's letters were primarily written to combat heresy and to guard against churches slipping into heretical beliefs. His letters provide a stronger statement of the importance of the clergy than anything found in the New Testament.

Question 2

Analyze the phrase "resident aliens" as it is used in 1 Peter. Why did this phrase become the figurative designation for Christians? Could it have designated other groups as well?

Answer 2

The author of 1 Peter calls his readers "exiles" and "aliens," a designation generally attributed to all Christians because Christians believe that their real home is in heaven. This world is a temporary dwelling place in which they have no citizenship. Being eternal citizens of heaven, they never feel at home within non-Christian societies and cultures. For "a while," though, they live as resident aliens on earth. Other scholars suggest that this designation could also have applied to actual exiles and aliens from other communities who were marginalized in their new residences, as well as to social outcasts from the same community. These people would have been attracted to the welcoming atmosphere of the early Christian house churches.

Question 3

What is apologetic literature? How did apologists like Justin or Origen argue on behalf of Christianity?

Answer 3

Apologetic literature makes a defense for particular beliefs and actions. Apologists like Justin and Origen claimed that Christian beliefs were superior to other options and that Christians were innocent of the charges of immorality and atheism. They insisted that Christ miraculously fulfilled not only the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible but also (albeit more indirectly) important myths in Greek and Roman mythology. They argued that Christianity-although seeming to be a relative newcomer on the scene-was actually more ancient than the oldest pagan traditions. They also argued that the state should not enforce its religion but rather should let the Christians live in peace (rather than in pieces).

Question 4

Christians were persecuted across the Roman Empire throughout the first century.

Question 5

The Emperor Nero blamed the Christians for a major fire for which he was most likely responsible.

Question 6

Opponents of Christianity claimed Christians held orgies and ate babies.

Question 7

Christianity spread rapidly in the early years, quickly converting large groups of people.

Question 8

Ignatius begged the recipients of his letter not to interfere with his martyrdom, lest they keep him from being executed.

Question 9

Governors in the Roman provinces had all of the following responsibilities except:

A) Collecting taxes
B) Maintaining order
C) Keeping the peace
D) Strictly defining Roman law, and proposing standardized Empire-wide punishments

Question 10

The legendary account of the Acts of John narrates:

A) The apostle John suffering martyrdom at the hands of the pagan priest.
B) The apostle John eating with the resurrected Jesus.
C) The apostle John raising a pagan from the dead.
D) The apostle John receiving a vision of the Lamb of God, seated on a throne of gold and diamonds.

Question 11

The letters of Ignatius date to approximately:

A) 40 C.E.
B) 80 C.E.
C) 110 C.E.
D) 140 C.E.

Question 12

Ignatius wrote his letters:

A) In response to letters he received from churches he founded
B) On his way to his execution in Rome
C) From jail in Rome
D) From Antioch

Question 13

All of the following are true of Ignatius except:

A) He was a bishop.
B) He was accused of crimes against the state.
C) He was an earthly disciple of Paul.
D) He was well educated.

Question 14

All of the following are themes in Ignatius's letters except:

A) The church's unity
B) The church's purity
C) The church's leadership
D) The church's spiritual gifts

Question 15

We have accounts of the martyrdoms of all of the following except:

A) Barnabas
B) Polycarp
C) Ignatius
D) Perpetua

Question 16

When was the first imperial episode of Christian persecution?

A) When Nero falsely accused Christians of starting a fire in Rome
B) Immediately after Pilate had Jesus crucified
C) After the military assault on Rome by the Maccabees
D) Igantius of Antioch's martyrdom

Question 17

The growth rate of Christianity in its early years was probably:

A) Steady at 50 percent per year
B) Fluctuating at 2 percent some years and 80 percent other years
C) Steady at 40 percent per decade
D) Exponential

Question 18

Which book of the New Testament mentions the word "suffering" more than any other?

A) First Thessalonians
B) First Peter
C) The Martyrdom of Polycarp
D) Acts of the Apostles

Question 19

Which of the following is not a feature of the Martyrdom of Polycarp:

A) The martyr's flesh doesn't burn in the fire, but rather looks like baked bread
B) A dove flies out of the martyr's side
C) Angelic voices cry out at the death of the martyr
D) Enough blood pours out of the martyr's body to douse a fire

Question 20

The following was an insult that pagans used against Christians:

A) "Atheist"
B) "Heathen"
C) "Antichrist"
D) "Saint"

Question 21

The early Christian apologists argued that the Roman government should

A) Support Christianity
B) Free all the slaves throughout the empire
C) Kill all Jews
D) Leave the Christians alone