How Much Have Men Changed in 2,000 Years?

by Joel Hendon⁽¹⁷⁰⁾ Red Star

In reading some ancient writings recently, I came upon some words from long ago that impressed me as being perhaps just about as fitting today as they were then.

A man named Lactantius, lived from 260 AD to 330 AD. He was born a pagan and became fairly successful as an orator and professor until he was converted to Christianity and was caught up in the persecutions of that time. However, when Constantine came into power, he became friends with Lactantius and once again he became prosperous and content until his death. Here are two quotes from him which should be interesting to all:

"I am inclined to think that the corrupting influence of the stage is even worse [than that of the arena]. The subjects of comedies are the deflowering of virgins or the loves of prostitutes.... Similarly, the tragedies parade before the eyes [of the audience] the murder of parents and acts of incest committed by wicked kings.... Is the art of the mimes any better? They teach adultery by acting it out. How do we expect our young people to respond when they see that these things are practiced without shame and that everyone eagerly watches." (Lactantius Institutes bk. 6, chap. 20, paraphrased)

"He who finds it pleasurable to watch a man being killed, even though the man has been legally condemned, pollutes his conscience just as much as though he were an accomplice or willing spectator of a murder committed in secret. Yet they call these 'sports'-where human blood is shed! ... When they see men placed under the stroke of death. begging for mercy, can they be righteous when they not only permit the men to be killed, but demand it? They cast their cruel and inhuman votes for death, not being satisfied by the mere flowing of blood or the presence of gashing wounds. In fact, they order the [gladiators] -although wounded and lying on the ground-to be attacked again and their corpses to be pummeled with blows, to make certain they are not merely feigning death. The crowds are even angry with the gladiators if one of the two isn't slain quickly. As though they thirsted for human blood, they hate delays.... By steeping themselves in this practice, they have lost their humanity.... Therefore, it is not fitting that we who strive to stay on the path of righteousness should share in this public homicide. When God forbids us to kill, he not only prohibits the violence that is condemned by public laws, but he also forbids the violence that is deemed lawful by men. (Lactantius Institutes bk. 6, chap. 20, paraphrased)

Then there is a man named Tertullian who lived from 160 AD to 220 AD, one of the well known early Christians who wrote a number of letters. He is known to have introduced unscriptural innovations into the church, later in life. He had this to say:

"The father who carefully protects and guards his virgin daughter's ears from every polluting word takes her to the theater himself, exposing her to all its vile language and attitudes." He asked rhetorically, "How can it be right to look at the things that are wrong to do? How can those things which defile a man when they go out of his mouth not defile him when going in through his eyes and ears?" (Matt. 15: 1720). (Tertullian The Shows chaps. 21, 17)

So, we can see that sin has always been a barrier to God's teaching. It has been with us since Adam and Eve. But it is no more right today than it was then. And according to the Holy Scriptures:

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

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Article submitted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 & read 53 times.

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» left by Connor Davidson (3 years 24 days ago.)

Great article. Well done.

We do not treat woman as property as much now.

If you go back 200 years in history woman had no right to divorce without a good reason domestic abuse and desertion were some of the only reasons allowed.

» left by Joel Hendon (3 years 24 days ago.)

You're right Connor, in fact women in the U.S. could not vote until around a hundred years ago. Those things have changed, but we still take, or allow our children to go to see movies which are as rotten as can be, and things those old writers were talking about.

Thanks for the comment.

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