Christian History Magazine: Defending the Cannibals, Issue 57 Vol. XVIII No. 1
J. David Cassel
Number of quotes: 4
Book ID: 370 Page: 15
Section: 4A
The empire’s “best allies”Christians among the elite, usually philosophers and writers, vigorously refuted the charges against their religion. They are known as apologists, from the Greek apologeo meaning “to defend.” Once they established their defensive position, however, apologists took the offensive, arguing that Christianity was the only true philosophy.
Quote ID: 8203
Time Periods: 2
Book ID: 370 Page: 15
Section: 4A
Justin Martyr, a convert from paganism who became the best known of the early apologists, went a step further, arguing that Christians should not be condemned unless factual evidence proved they were criminals. A close examination of the facts, he said, will prove that Christians are morally, upright, and law-abiding citizens who are the empire’s “best allies in securing good order.”
Quote ID: 8204
Time Periods: 2
Book ID: 370 Page: 16
Section: 4B
Marcus Minucius Felix, for example, wrote, “For we were once the same as you; blind and ignorant, our opinions were once the same as yours. We believed that the Christians worshipped monsters, ate the flesh of infants, and practiced incest at their feasts. We did not understand that these tales were always being spread abroad by the demons, without examination or proof.”
Quote ID: 8205
Time Periods: 237
Book ID: 370 Page: 17
Section: 4B
…that which they accused Christians. “Who would be so foolish as to worship [an ass’s head],” wrote Felix, “or even still more foolish, to believe it—except yourselves, who keep whole asses as sacred in your stables together with your or their Epona [horse goddess]?”
Quote ID: 8206
Time Periods: 237
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