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Lent: Day 12 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 1-11

...“taught atheism”, yet to the contrary of how Christians were treated, the Romans “bestow prizes and honours upon those who euphoniously insult the gods”! “Why, then, should this be?”, Justin asks, especially since the Christians “pledge [themselves] to do no wickedness” but yet are still charged with atheism for teaching that the gods of old were in fact demons deceiving the people, calling themselves by different names to be worshipped. Apparently Socrates was killed by men driven with evil passion from demons for trying “to bring these things to light, and deliver men from the demons” and charged “as an atheist and a profane person” ...

Why God Is Necessary For Morality

...Guest post by Darwin to Jesus Dostoevsky famously said, “If there is no God, then everything is permitted.” For years, as an atheist, I couldn’t understand what he meant, but now I do… Here’s a simple analogy that shows why only theism can make sense of morality: Imagine you just got hired at a company. You show up, set up your desk, and decide to use two large monitors. No big deal, right? But then some random guy walks up to you and says: “Hey, you’re not allowed to do that.” You ask, “What do you mean?” They say, “You’re not permitted* to use monitors that big.” In this situation, the correct response would be: “Says who...

Christians and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

...increase atheism [Christianity]? I believe that we ought really and truly to practise every one of these virtues. And it is not enough for you alone to practise them, but so must all the priests in Galatia, without exception. […] For it is disgraceful that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galilaeans [Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us. (Letters of Julian, Letter 22) The Church’s Response So why am I stating all of this? Hopefully it should be obvious by now: this is how Christians should be thinking and acting during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Obviously, we nee...

The Historic Practice of Abortion and How Ancient Christians Responded

...increase atheism [Christianity]? […] For it is disgraceful that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galilaeans support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us. — Letters of Julian/Letter 22 Christian attitudes towards everyone truly encompassed the commands of Jesus to “love your neighbour” (Lev. 19:18, Matt. 22:39), to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34–35), and to “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44). This, along with Jesus’ harsh warnings about harming children (Luke 17:2, Matt 18:10–11), spilt over into society and began to reshape it by standing in stark contras...