Mondays are for Church History
8/27/18
Schaff, Philip. History of the Christian Church (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Amazon Kindle Edition, 2014.
Volume 2, Ante-Nicene Christianity A.D. 100-325, “Chapter 8. Christian life in Contrast with Pagan Corruption.” Sections 88-103, Loc. 16158-17158.
§ 95. The Church and Public Amusements.
Schaff affirms that Christianity is not an austere and gloomy sort of misanthropy (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16528). But the joy of Christianity is not governed by worldly affair.s The pupular amusements of late antiquity were not broadly accepted among Christians. The theater had become a place to celebrate lust. The circus had become an occasion to look for violent displays or the death of competitors (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16547). While public opinion embraced the theatrical spectacles, Christians, with a recognition of the dignity of human life (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16571) would not only avoid public entertainments, but also warn against them. The arguments Schaff finds in favor of Christian participation in public entertainments are much the same as the arguments heard to this day. Gradually, Christians were able to reach positions of influence in which they could limit some of the entertainments which were accessible (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16590).
8/27/18
Schaff, Philip. History of the Christian Church (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Amazon Kindle Edition, 2014.
Volume 2, Ante-Nicene Christianity A.D. 100-325, “Chapter 8. Christian life in Contrast with Pagan Corruption.” Sections 88-103, Loc. 16158-17158.
§ 95. The Church and Public Amusements.
Schaff affirms that Christianity is not an austere and gloomy sort of misanthropy (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16528). But the joy of Christianity is not governed by worldly affair.s The pupular amusements of late antiquity were not broadly accepted among Christians. The theater had become a place to celebrate lust. The circus had become an occasion to look for violent displays or the death of competitors (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16547). While public opinion embraced the theatrical spectacles, Christians, with a recognition of the dignity of human life (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16571) would not only avoid public entertainments, but also warn against them. The arguments Schaff finds in favor of Christian participation in public entertainments are much the same as the arguments heard to this day. Gradually, Christians were able to reach positions of influence in which they could limit some of the entertainments which were accessible (Schaff 2014, Loc. 16590).
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