Christian Intellectuals and the Roman Empire: From Justin Martyr to Origen

by Jared Secord

Early in the third century, a small group of Greek Christians began to gain prominence and legitimacy as intellectuals in the Roman Empire. Examining the relationship that these thinkers had with the broader Roman intelligentsia, Jared Secord contends that the success of Christian intellectualism during this period had very little to do with Christianity itself. With the recognition that Christian authors were deeply engaged with the norms and realities of Roman intellectual culture, Secord examines the thought of a succession of Christian literati that includes Justin Martyr, Tatian, Julius Africanus, and Origen, comparing each to a diverse selection of his non-Christian contemporaries. Reassessing Justin’s apologetic works, Secord reveals Christian views on martyrdom to be less distinctive than previously believed. He shows that Tatian’s views on Greek culture informed his reception by Christians as a heretic. Finally, he suggests that the successes experienced by Africanus and Origen in the third century emerged as consequences not of any change in attitude toward Christianity by imperial authorities but of a larger shift in intellectual culture and imperial policies under the Severan dynasty. Original and erudite, this volume demonstrates how distorting the myopic focus on Christianity as a religion has been in previous attempts to explain the growth and success of the Christian movement. It will stimulate new research in the study of early Christianity, classical studies, and Roman history.

214 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2020

Reviews

[Logan Prettyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really an excellent work. His work with the languages and primary sources shows aptitude. He engages well with secondary literature. He uniquely mixes classical and early Christian studies. Mostly significantly, his work has abundant yet tacit application for Christian intellectuals treated with paternalism by secular scholarship in a post- or pre-Christian context (reminiscent of A Place at the Table). However, he is repetitious at times and perhaps stretches his case with Tatian condemnation and ascertaining authorial intent in Justin.

[Benjamin Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-done book and a helpful call to read early Christian intellectuals in light of trends in broader currents of Roman intellectual habits and self-presentations.