Re: The Early Christians: Self-Portraits and Portrayals

Bruderhof News wrote:

> I do not wish to be a ruler. I do not strive for wealth. I refuse
> offices connected with military command. Fornication I detest. No
> insatiable hunger for gold drives me to go to sea. I do not fight for
> a victor’s laurels. I am free from the mad thirst for fame. I despise
> death. I stand above every illness. No grief consumes my soul.     
> 
> Tatian, Address to the Greeks 11.2.
> 

We must then offer no resistance. He never wanted us to imitate the
wicked. Rather, he challenged us to lead everyone away from shamefulness
and pleasure in evil by patience and kindness. We can in fact show that
many who were once among you have been transformed in this way. They
gave up their violent and domineering ways. Either they were conquered
by the sight of their neighbors’ patient life, or they were convinced by
noticing the extraordinary kindness and patience of some defrauded
traveling companions, or they were overcome by encountering and testing
this attitude in people with whom they had business dealings. Anyone who
is not found living in accordance with his teachings should not be
regarded as a Christian even if he confesses to Christ’s teaching with
his lips. For he said that only those shall be saved who do not just
talk, but who also do the corresponding works. 

Justin, First Apology 16.