I will take care of you with recommendation Subjects? Looking up to heaven, the
ID: 3503265 • Letter: I
Question
I will take care of you with recommendation
Subjects? Looking up to heaven, the Christlans-with hands outspread, because innocent, with head bare because we do not blush, yesl and without a prompter because we pray from the heart-are e ever praying for all the emperors. We pray for a t fortunate life for them, a secure rule, a safe house y brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, t s a peaceful world.... a Should not our sect [i.e., Christlanityl have d been classed among the legal associations, when m it commits no such actions as are commonly feared from unlawful associations? For unless I am mistaken, the reason for prohibiting associa- tions clearly lay in forethought for public order- to save the state from being torn into factions, a thing very likely to disturb election assemblies. public gatherings, local senates, meetings. even the public games, with the clashing and rivalry of partisans... .We, however, whom all the passion for glory and rank leave cold, have no need to combine: nothing is more foreign to us than the state. One state we recognize for all-the universe an he m- Source. Tertullian. Apology. 10.1, 23.2-3. 35.1. 40.1-2 Translation by T. R. Glover, 1931 f a als
Explanation / Answer
One of the most important problems that is seen in Tertullian's argument is that Christians won't honour the king but they would just pray for him. This is actually a great threat to the empire and emperor himself as today we can witness how Christianity has made Rome as the center. Secondly, although Christians are harmless, they were converting everyone aggressively which is also a threat to the empire as slowly no one would revere the emperor. Finally, when they say that they pay to the king of kings, they mean God and do not support the causes of the empire or emperor.