"Ancient Christians were not timid. They did not adopt a posture of peaceful resistance through a kind of slave mentality of the bullied. Nor was their religion an opiate that dulled them to social realities here and now. In fact, reading the early sources, it is clear they actually felt like they were the victors! They believed that true power to change the world lay not in politics, the judiciary or the military but in the message of Christ's death and resurrection. Whatever you make of a 'miraculous' resurrection all these years later, the first Christians really believed it. And they saw it as the proof and pledge that God vindicated the suffering Jesus and will also one day vindicate his suffering church.
This is what made Christians good, even cheerful, losers - the thought that they have already won! Their role was simply to remain true to the way of Christ, seeking to transform the world through prayer, service, persuasion and suffering."1
Courage and Godspeed,
Chad
Courage and Godspeed,
Chad
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