I am writing a chreia, and i need information about the person who said this, (tertullian), and what to write about it. I am more leaning towards the fact that though a church can really work out great during a persecution, and that martyrs are really a seed of the church, but during freedom, a church can be just as prosperous. as long as they really are dedicated anyway. I think a person's faith really comes out during persecution though.... So post what you think please, I love a good debate. I do not have a strong opinion to this matter, so if you present a strong enough case, I may decide to agree.
2007-10-10 02:05:50 · 6 answers · asked by josef h 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
People tend to be more passionate about those things that they are denied.
During times of prosperity, people tend to forget the things they were once so passionate about.
Religion thrived in underground churches, however in times like today, many are falling away.
I think the magic, so to speak, of the underground kept them faithful. They were thriving in the midst of persecution.
However when the persecution no longer exists, they begin to build great buildings that hold huge congregations and it becomes more impersonal and people begin to fall away.
Instead of being in the midst of something they are passionate about, they are just attending.
Today we have churches that have satellite churches with no pastor, but have a jumbo screen where you can watch the pastor that is sometimes across town or in another city. It is about as personal as sitting at home and watching it on a giant screen TV.
They want and need that personal experience. I guess that is why I have felt that small group meetings all throughout the church are so important. It was done in the first century and some churches are doing it now.
grace2u
2007-10-10 02:23:15 · answer #1 · answered by Theophilus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can a church and pastor prosper if some in the world around them are hungry? A pastor can have a car just not a Mercedes or Cadillac. The difference between a Chevrolet and a Cadillac will feed the hungry. How does the wealthy acting pastor justify being modest? Jesus said that He didn't have a place to lay His head, yet pastors live in mansions. Have we all became Pharisees?
2007-10-10 02:21:07 · answer #2 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 2nd-century Church Father Tertullian wrote that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church," implying that the martyrs' willing sacrifice of their lives leads to the conversion of others. Wise men still seek Him. +Jesus, I Trust in You! Here I am, Lord.
2016-05-20 22:45:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The martyrdom of the early church was largely a post-Constantine historical revision.
2007-10-10 02:11:49 · answer #4 · answered by cosmo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The blood of Jesus is the important for everyones souls...
2007-10-10 02:13:36 · answer #5 · answered by sweetie29 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try this link:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14520c.htm
2007-10-10 02:10:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋