About this Video

• Video Title: Resident but Alien: Odd but Intriguing (1 of 6)
• Channel: Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
• Speakers: Alan Kreider, Quentin (from New Zealand), Mali (from the US)
• Duration: 00:33:09

Introduction

This video, the first in a six-part series, explores the remarkable growth of the early Christian church (first 500 years). Historian Alan Kreider discusses the early church's appeal, examining its attraction, social advantages, and eventual establishment as the Roman Empire's religion. He analyzes early Christian documents, art, and perspectives to understand the church's growth and relevance to modern audiences.

Key Takeaways

1. Early Church Growth: The early church experienced rapid growth (approximately 40% per decade), initially despite persecution and social disdain. This growth is attributed to the church's attractiveness.
2. Stages of Growth: The early church's growth is categorized into three periods: (1) illegal and persecuted, yet growing due to attraction; (2) legalized under Constantine, leading to social advantages; and (3) enforced as the state religion under Theodosius, resulting in compulsory participation.
3. Early Christian Identity: Early Christians viewed themselves as "resident aliens," servants of Christ, united by faith and hope in redemption. They practiced prayer with raised hands and open eyes, and shared a communal life marked by love and inclusivity. Their practice of adopting unwanted children and their social inclusivity was unique for their time.
4. Missionary Principles: The early church's growth is explained through the "indigenizing principle" (adapting to local culture) and the "pilgrim principle" (maintaining a distinct, universal identity). This balance of integration and distinctiveness made Christianity both attractive and intriguing.

Here are the answers based on the provided transcript:

1. What specific early Christian documents and art are examined in the video to understand the church's growth and appeal? The video mentions using early Christian documents (the exact titles aren't specified), early Christian art such as graffiti in a Roman slave's quarter depicting Alexamenos worshipping his god (a crucified figure with a horse's head), mosaics depicting scenes of persecution and martyrdom (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace), and frescoes from catacombs showing figures in prayer with raised hands. The Epistle to Diognetus is also directly quoted and analyzed.

2. What are the key differences between the three periods of the early church's growth, as described in the video? The three periods are:

   • Period 1 (Resurrection of Jesus to 313 AD): Christianity was illegal and persecuted within the Roman Empire. Growth occurred despite this due to the attractiveness of the faith.
   • Period 2 (313 AD onward): Constantine legalized Christianity, making it advantageous to be Christian. Growth continued due to the faith's social advantages and association with the imperial establishment.
   • Period 3 (Late 4th Century onward): Theodosius made orthodox Christianity the state religion. Growth became largely due to compulsion and force; those who didn't follow were persecuted.

3. What evidence from the video supports the claim that early Christianity was particularly inclusive of women? The video offers several points:

   • A pagan critic's account mentions both "ignorant men" and "incredulous women" as part of the early Christian following, highlighting women's presence in the movement.
   • The story of Perpetua, an aristocratic Roman woman, and her fellow Christians facing martyrdom demonstrates women's prominent roles within the early church.
   • The practice of adopting and raising unwanted children, including female infants who were often abandoned, showcases the early church's commitment to protecting and supporting women and girls. The narrator even suggests that this practice contributed to the disproportionate number of women within early Christianity.

4. How did the ritual kiss of peace in the early church, as described by the narrator, function both within worship services and during martyrdom? The kiss of peace was a regular practice in early Christian worship services, used to celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit and to request forgiveness before partaking in the Eucharist. In the account of Perpetua's martyrdom, the final act of kissing each other before death mirrored this regular practice, emphasizing their continued faith and communal unity even in the face of death. The cross-class nature of this final embrace (aristocrats and slaves kissing) further underscores the unique counter-cultural nature of early Christian community.