Is this a compliment or an insult to Christians?

Question

"In some private homes we find people who work with wool and rags, and cobblers, that is, the least cultured and most ignorant kind. Before the head of the household, they dare not utter a word. But as soon as they can take the children aside or some women who are as ignorant as they are, they speak wonders....If you really wish to know the truth, leave your teachers and your father, and go with the women and the children to the women's quarters, or to the cobbler's shop, or to the tannery, and there you will learn the perfect life. It is thus that these Christians find those who will believe them."
-- Celsus, a Roman Pagan intellectual.

This comes from his refutation of Christianity. But I must be a real idiot myself, because to me, it sounds like a compliment.

How do you take it? Explain.

Thanks.

what has this quote got to do with genealogies? What am I missing?

For those of you saying I should not concern myself with this, I don't understand. I am reading a book written by a Christian, on Christian history. The chapter is on persecution, and how pagans viewed Christians in the early centuries. What is wrong with learning?

Answer 1

Hi, well he was a man of his times and was not alone in his distrust of the new sect which was rather secretive in their meetings and that brought all sorts of rumors.

The Roman father, paterfamilias was the head of the household so much so that he had the power of life and death over his children. In short, he called all the shots and had the children educated. In this letter he seems to be sarcastic telling people, go on, leave your father and teachers and listen to that riff raff (laborers and women) where you shall be taught about the life of Riley. If you are one of the gullable ones, the christians will certainly convince you.

From my thoughts above, he insults you by saying you are a nitwit for going to see them but at the same time he is acknowledging or showing some respect that these lower lifes have the power or ability to recruit.

Regards,

Michael Kelly

Answer 2

Yeah, I think it is a compliment, too. It seems to me that he is saying that intellectually the Christians look like idiots, but the spirituality that they glean from the (seemingly inane) words of their preachers, is apparent in their everyday lives. It is also interesting, because he is giving us a very deep insight into how spirituality really touches people's hearts - through example.

Added: I don't feel we should be ashamed of people calling us fools:

Matt. 11: 25.
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Spirituality is not dependant upon intellect.

To counter the idea that a Christian should not ask questions: The boy Jesus himself shows us an example of someone seeking for answers:

Luke 2:46-47
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Jesus asked sincere and thoughtful questions, aimed at increasing his own understanding, and also to share his understanding with others. Note that Jesus, of so great understanding, was nevertheless not proud of himself nor his wisdom. I feel that we can do the same.

Answer 3

Maybe I need to see more of the article or book. But that alone does not seem complimentary.

It seems to me like they are saying that christians are ignorant Mindless fools who listen to anything their fathers and husbands tell them to do without question, They live in the poorest of conditions. But non Chrisitans come in and take the oppressed women and Children aside and show them the light,

Answer 4

The first part is calling them ignorant and the least cultured. The second part where it says "If you really wish to know the truth," sounds complimentary. As if to find the truth and learn the perfect life, Christians will show you how.

Answer 5

I can see it either way. He refers to "women who are as ignorant as they are," but he also says "if you really wish to know the truth."

I guess that's the main thing: if you really want to know the truth. He also refers to "learn the perfect life." Must we assume he was being sarcastic?

Celsus may indeed have admired the Christians without becoming one of them. I admire many of them, even though I am no longer one of them. Why not? Good people are good people wherever you find them.

Answer 6

it relatively is neither. Evolution is a faith, there are no longer any data to it it relatively is why it relatively is an theory. Christianity on the different hand isn't a faith. that's the existence of God in us. it relatively is a courting between guy and God. we've evidence interior of ourselves that what we've self belief and know is actual. Our God isn't an theory, he's and He fellowships with us and has given us His very Spirit to indwell us. I consider the Christians who say you prefer greater faith to be an atheist. it relatively is by technique of the fact all of us know for particular that what we've self belief is actual, they dont. attempt to calculate or google the percentages that each and every little thing on earth got here into existence by possibility and you will no longer even comprehend the figures.

Answer 7

This is probably true from the writers point of view. It does seem to show a bias, however. I wouldn't consider it a falsity so it is actually a compliment. Things change, people change, but some things stay the same.
BTW what is the full title of what you are reading???

Answer 8

It sounds like obvious sarcasm. Leave the educated and turn to the ignorant for instruction. A pretty clear insult.

Answer 9

I would take it as an isult as it says only fools believe. That the christians fear speaking to the intillegent ones.

You can choose to take it as a compliment by saying that christians are accepting of everyone.

Answer 10

I think he meant it as an insult, since it's from his reutation. It sounds like he was being sarcastic, but we may take it as a compliment if we wish to.