Early Christians as Viewed by an Outsider @ Prodigal Returns!

Early Christians as Viewed by an Outsider

Posted on August 19th, 2010 Richard 3 comments

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Roman emperor Flavius Claudius Julianus (361-363), or Julian the Apostate, attempted to fight off the rapid growth of Christianity in Rome in favor of the pagan worship of Zeus. Even with the backing of the emperor, the pagan priests were frustrated by their lack of progress relative to the Christians as Julian lamented in his “Letter to Arsacius” (360):

For it is disgraceful when no Jew is a beggar and the impious Galileans [the name given by Julian to Christians] support our poor in addition to their own …

Jews and Christians were known for taking care of their own poor and disenfranchised, regardless of whether the poor shared their beliefs.

At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. ~ Deuteronomy 14:28-9 NIV

Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other. ~ Zechariah 7:10 NIV

Are believers still known for this kind of charity today? Why or why not?

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3 responses to “Early Christians as Viewed by an Outsider”
1. Esther Gray August 21st, 2010 at 15:48
  
  I think they are known for it, but in a quiet way. They certainly take care of their own, and often unbelievers. But, the government has taken over taking care of the poor. That’s where the poor go to be taken care of. And also, those on welfare that are abusing the system don’t turn to the church, because the church would not be part of that. I think it is worth mentioning here that the Bible says take care of widows and orphans, not those who will not work. The church is much better at distinguishing those who need help from those that aren’t putting all their effort into trying to support themselves.
2. Colleen Foshee September 2nd, 2010 at 18:08
  
  I think we could do a better job in the USA. We do give alot, I’m not saying we, the church, don’t. But we have so much. We could do so much more! Asking God all the time to renew my mind so my heart matches His in the giving department.
3. Sofia Thresher September 9th, 2011 at 11:00
  
  I think only believers who still go to church know about it. Or those who still read the bible. I myself have stopped reading it since years.
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