Friday, October 13

 

Lim 6:1 and 6:2, Gospel of Matthew and Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

 

Compare Paul’s message to the Galatians with Jesus’ message in Source 1.  What similarities and differences do you see I the two selections?

 

Lim 6:3 and 6:4, Acts of the Apostles, Pliny Letter to Trajan

 

Compare the relationship between Christians and Roman officials represented here with that described in the Acts of the Apostles in Source 3. 

 

Lim 6:5 Origen of Alexandria Against Celsus

 

Why did Celsus say that Judaism and Christianity were barbarian religions?  What forms the basis for Celsus’s primary objections against Christian teachings?  What objections does Celsus have against the social backgrounds of the Christians?

 

Lim 6:6: Martyrdoms of Perpetua and Felicitas

 

Write a paper on either of the following questions:

 

1. In what specific ways does Perpetua undermine the traditional values of Roman society?  How does she in her identity as Christian transcend the expectations of her society? 
2. What do you think of this story as a means of empowering Christian women?  Is Perpetua’s example a healthy one for other Christian women, in your opinion?