The Apologists: Historical Backgrounds

Non-Christian Apologists

Hellenistic priests defended their history and traditions. Their defense for legitimacy, as Josephus notes of the Chaldean priest Berossus, was that they “followed the most ancient records” (Against Apion, 1.29–30, Borossus wrote for the Seleucid King Antiochus I).

Non-Christian Apologists (Cont.)

The Egyptian priest Manetho wrote his Egyptian History around 287 BC for Ptolemy II, the Greek King of Egypt. Grant notes, “He was determined to prove the Egyptians more ancient than other people” (R. M. Grant, 12). This was done by listing the sucession of their kings, starting with the gods, then to demigods and spirits.

Philo of Alexandria (c. 20 BC–c. 50 AD)….

Josephus

NT Political Theology and Greek Literature

NT Political Theology

The New Testament does not promote revolution or even resistance to the Empire if it does not violate the Christian conviction.

Romans 13:1–7 ESV

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

1 Peter 2:13–17 ESV

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 Clement 60.4–61.2 (prayer excerpt): “Give Harmony and peace to us and to all who dwell on the earth…while we render obedience to your almighty and most excellent name, and to our rulers and governors on earth. You, Master, have given them the power of sovereignty through your majestic and inexpressible might, so that we, acknowledging the glory and honor that you have given them, may be subject to them, resisting your will in nothing. Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, harmony, and stability, so that they may blamelessly administer the government that you have given them. For you, heavenly Master, King of the ages, give to human beings glory and honor and authority over the creatures upon the earth. Lord, direct their plans according to what is good and pleasing in your sight, so that by devoutly administering in peace and gentleness the authority that you have given them they may experience your mercy” (trans., M. Holmes).

NT Usage of Greek Literature

Ac 14:8–18 (ESV)

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

1 Corinthians 15:32–33 ESV

What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

The last quote is from the poet Menander, in his, now lost, Thais. The one-liner has been handed down in other collections, so Paul would not have known the exact source (Grant, 25).

Titus 1:12–13 ESV

One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

This quote was taken from the Cretan poet Epimenides. It was Clement of Alexandria who idenified the source in his Stromata 1.59.2 (Grant, 25).

Acts 17:28 (ESV)

for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

The quote is from the Stoic poet Aratus.

Trajan and Pliny the Younger