Athenagoras

A detailed Summary of Athenagoras

Athenagoras of Athens address Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus, about Christianity and the society, in the late 2nd century AD, in order to persuade them that Christianity and the people whom believed in it were law bidding, caring and righteous people. He wrote several pieces of philosophy in the defense of Christianity.

His speech to Marcus Aurelius talked about several things concerning Christianity and society. Moreover, is his most famous piece of work. His points are as valid today as they were two thousand years ago.

Most of what we know about Athenagoras of Athens is what he has to say about himself in his own writings, we know he was born a heathen and after reading, the scriptures he converted to Christianity. We know nothing of his birth, how long he lived or the manner of his death. He was a skilled philosopher whom never strayed from his subject.

His chief surviving writing is an "Apology for the Christians" composed in Greek around 177 AD and addressed to Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Encyclopedia Americana He attempted to refute the widespread rumors circulated by the pagans who stated Christians were atheist, cannibals and incestuous indivuals.

In the opening of his speech Athenagoras of Athens speaks o

As the allegations that they were atheist was not true, unlike Atheist who declare there is no god at all. Christians distinguish God from matter and teach matter is one thing and god is another. It is easy to see where they would label them Atheist. Nevertheless, Their doctrine acknowledges only one God, the maker of the universe, who he himself uncreated, but has made all things by the Logos which is from him. Chap. IV

Christians do not watch or go to the Gladiator game that seeing a man put to death is the same as having killed him themselves. Abortion is looked at as murder, that a woman who uses drugs to bring on an abortion has committed murder and all will have to account for the reason for committing murder to God.

It seems that Christianity has been on the witness stand testifying in its behalf for quite a long time, throughout history we have seen it. Most recently, more attacks on Christianity and the Christian way of life, brought on by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 proves that we have made little progress in the last two thousand years since Athenagoras made his speech in 177 A.D.

He also spoke about how indivuals have the possession of equal rights, and according to their rank, they share equal honors. Everyone under Marcus Aurelius's rule enjoyed profound peace, except for the Christians. Although they commit no wrong, they are allowed to be harassed, plundered and persecuted. Most people making war against them for their name alone.

He speaks earlier in his speech, more on morality, and the charges brought against the Christians, he speaks of Christians as loving and caring people, that they love thy neighbors, that they do not hate their enemies, but love them. That they do not speak out against those who have reviled them, but to bless them and pray against those whom plot against Christians. As he states in his writings " When struck, they do not strike again; when robbed, they do not go to law; they give to those that ask of them, and love thy neighbors as themselves.

He continues about the morality of Christians, moreover about the charges of the practice of incest. He speaks of Zeus who had children with his mother, and who t

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Approximate Word count = 1477
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Religion