Learning from the Historic Witness of the Early Church
Learning from the Historic Witness of the Early Church
Reflection by Pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold
“Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom. For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric lifestyle....While they live in both Greek and barbarian cities, as each one's lot was cast, and follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life, at the same time they demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own citizenship. They live in their own countries, but only as aliens; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else, and have children, but they do not expose their offspring. They share their food but not their wives. They are “in the flesh”, but do not live “according to the flesh”. They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws. They love everyone, and by everyone they are persecuted. They are unknown, yet they are condemned; they are put to death, yet they are brought to life. They are poor, yet they make many rich; they are in need of everything, yet they abound in everything. They are dishonored, yet they are glorified in their dishonor; they are slandered, yet they are vindicated. They are cursed, yet they bless; they are insulted, yet they offer respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when they are punished, they rejoice as though brought to life....Those who hate them are unable to give a reason for their hostility…” - 130 A.D. by Justin Martyr - Mathetes) as an apologetic to his Roman teacher. Letter to Diognetus (the teacher who also taught Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius)
The lessons of faith that we learn from people of faith from the past are essential to living our faith vibrantly as disciples of Jesus today. I have learned this once more since we have been studying Hebrews 11-12 together in the sermon series since August. Here in this letter, Justin Martyr gave this apologetic to his teacher from Rome (who had even trained one of the emperors – Marcus Aurelius). Justin speaks of the faithful and positive witness these “cursed” people of the Christian faith practiced. In fact, the witness of these “Christians” (little Christs) changed his life. As evident in this letter, Christians live for a higher principal of God’s sovereignty and moral conscience. True Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by the ordinary measures of nationalism, culture, language or political affiliation, but through their character, morality, love for others, love for God, and ability to bless when being persecuted. This is important for us as Baptist Christians because we subscribe to the importance of a Christian faith that is set free from politics to love others. Historic Baptist Christians have emphasized a faith that is autonomous from political loyalty and favoritism, while it is still free to speak prophetically to political principalities in deed and word. Martyr wrote: "They live in their own countries, but only as aliens; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign… They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws".
When our focus is on the Kingdom of God, a Heavenly perspective, it helps us avoid the trappings, divisiveness, and dangers of giving ultimate allegiance to “Caesar”. As Jesus instructed: “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s”. Our Lord teaches us to be good citizens by rendering our taxes and giving respect to earthly proceedings such as laws, civil discourse, and elections. However, Jesus then clarified that our devotion, ultimate priority, worship, and the consecrated use of abilities for eternal purposeful service, are to be rendered unto God. The tension of living with both types of rendering, temporal and eternal, is not easy. There may be those who become excited about bringing in the Kingdom of God by exalting a personality, a president, or a king. This is idolatrous and preempts the ultimate Lordship and coming of Jesus in time to reign on the earth. Then there are those who avoid any responsibility in public affairs and earthly citizenship, and this is an avoidance of good stewardship. All of this leads me to simple say: “VOTE!” It is a rendering that has implications within our world that God wants us to be responsible stewards of. Secondly, I would say “RENDER UNTO GOD what is God’s”. Be careful not to be so swept up in political discourse that you begin to judge others falsely or harshly. Be careful not to simply go with others in their rendering such that you do not pray and think through issues and consider the character of political candidates. Ultimately, for disciples of Jesus Christ, we are “foreigners” whose ultimate citizenship in Heaven should lead us to lives that transcend politics, law, injustice, and hate. In fact, we are to be the “light” of Christ to the world, a “City/town built on a hill that cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14) If we desire true change in our world, may we be like the early Christians whose love and faithful witness transformed the pagan world they lived in. Thank you, Justin Martyr, for your witness.
- In Christ’s love, Pastor Scott Arnold
Reflection by Pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott T. Arnold
“Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom. For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric lifestyle....While they live in both Greek and barbarian cities, as each one's lot was cast, and follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life, at the same time they demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own citizenship. They live in their own countries, but only as aliens; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else, and have children, but they do not expose their offspring. They share their food but not their wives. They are “in the flesh”, but do not live “according to the flesh”. They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws. They love everyone, and by everyone they are persecuted. They are unknown, yet they are condemned; they are put to death, yet they are brought to life. They are poor, yet they make many rich; they are in need of everything, yet they abound in everything. They are dishonored, yet they are glorified in their dishonor; they are slandered, yet they are vindicated. They are cursed, yet they bless; they are insulted, yet they offer respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when they are punished, they rejoice as though brought to life....Those who hate them are unable to give a reason for their hostility…” - 130 A.D. by Justin Martyr - Mathetes) as an apologetic to his Roman teacher. Letter to Diognetus (the teacher who also taught Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius)
The lessons of faith that we learn from people of faith from the past are essential to living our faith vibrantly as disciples of Jesus today. I have learned this once more since we have been studying Hebrews 11-12 together in the sermon series since August. Here in this letter, Justin Martyr gave this apologetic to his teacher from Rome (who had even trained one of the emperors – Marcus Aurelius). Justin speaks of the faithful and positive witness these “cursed” people of the Christian faith practiced. In fact, the witness of these “Christians” (little Christs) changed his life. As evident in this letter, Christians live for a higher principal of God’s sovereignty and moral conscience. True Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by the ordinary measures of nationalism, culture, language or political affiliation, but through their character, morality, love for others, love for God, and ability to bless when being persecuted. This is important for us as Baptist Christians because we subscribe to the importance of a Christian faith that is set free from politics to love others. Historic Baptist Christians have emphasized a faith that is autonomous from political loyalty and favoritism, while it is still free to speak prophetically to political principalities in deed and word. Martyr wrote: "They live in their own countries, but only as aliens; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign… They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws".
When our focus is on the Kingdom of God, a Heavenly perspective, it helps us avoid the trappings, divisiveness, and dangers of giving ultimate allegiance to “Caesar”. As Jesus instructed: “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s”. Our Lord teaches us to be good citizens by rendering our taxes and giving respect to earthly proceedings such as laws, civil discourse, and elections. However, Jesus then clarified that our devotion, ultimate priority, worship, and the consecrated use of abilities for eternal purposeful service, are to be rendered unto God. The tension of living with both types of rendering, temporal and eternal, is not easy. There may be those who become excited about bringing in the Kingdom of God by exalting a personality, a president, or a king. This is idolatrous and preempts the ultimate Lordship and coming of Jesus in time to reign on the earth. Then there are those who avoid any responsibility in public affairs and earthly citizenship, and this is an avoidance of good stewardship. All of this leads me to simple say: “VOTE!” It is a rendering that has implications within our world that God wants us to be responsible stewards of. Secondly, I would say “RENDER UNTO GOD what is God’s”. Be careful not to be so swept up in political discourse that you begin to judge others falsely or harshly. Be careful not to simply go with others in their rendering such that you do not pray and think through issues and consider the character of political candidates. Ultimately, for disciples of Jesus Christ, we are “foreigners” whose ultimate citizenship in Heaven should lead us to lives that transcend politics, law, injustice, and hate. In fact, we are to be the “light” of Christ to the world, a “City/town built on a hill that cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14) If we desire true change in our world, may we be like the early Christians whose love and faithful witness transformed the pagan world they lived in. Thank you, Justin Martyr, for your witness.
- In Christ’s love, Pastor Scott Arnold
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