Christian Baptism As Seen by Outsiders: Julian the Apostate As an Example
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Abstract
How did ancient pagan intellectuals look upon Christian baptism? The aim of the present article is to provide such an outsider’s perspective. This serves a double purpose: to depict pagan critique of Christian faith and baptism in particular, but also to see if this critique in any way mirrors contemporary baptismal theology and practice. Julian the Emperor has two texts wherein baptism is addressed at some length. The claim that sins and mischief could simply be washed away by merely being immersed in a bath was appalling to him. The simplicity involved in Christian baptism was offensive. The only true remedy for a sick soul was the exercise provided for by the toil of Greek education. Julian’s critique mirrors fundamental convictions held by Christians on baptism, which may be summarised in the word of grace.
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2)
For example, Wilhelm Nestle, “Die Haupteinwände des Antiken Denkens gegen das Christentum,” Archiv für Religionswissenschaft 37 (1941/42) 51-100; Robert L. Wilken, The Christians as the Romans saw them (New Haven and London: Yale University Press 1984; John Granger Cook, The Interpretation of the New Testament in Greco-Roman Paganism (Peabody MA: Hendrickson 2002).
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24)
See Elizabeth C. Evans, “Physiognomics in the Ancient World,” Transactions of the American Philosophical Society 59 (1969) 1-101; as for Julian in particular, see pp. 74-80.
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27)
Sarah E. Bassett, “The Late Antique Image of Menander,” Greek, Romans, and Byzantine Studies 48 (2008) 201-225; at 207-209.
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43)
Pointed out by Cook, Interpretation of the New Testament, 320.
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48)
See Hoffmann, Porphyry’s Against the Christians, 21-23; Cook, Interpretation of the New Testament, 169-175. For the Greek text with French translation, see Richard Goulet, Macarios de Magnésie Le Monogénes. Édition critique et traduction française (Textes et Traditions 7; Paris: Librairie Philosophique J. Vrin 2003).
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53)
See Kobusch, “Philosophische Streitsachen”, 20-23; Sandnes, The Challenge of Homer, 152-157.
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64)
Abraham J. Malherbe, “ ‘Gentle as a Nurse.’ The Cynic Background to 1 Thess 2”, NovT 12 (1979) 203-217.
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Christian Baptism As Seen by Outsiders: Julian the Apostate As an Example
In: Vigiliae ChristianaeSearch for other papers by Karl Olav Sandnes in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
How did ancient pagan intellectuals look upon Christian baptism? The aim of the present article is to provide such an outsider’s perspective. This serves a double purpose: to depict pagan critique of Christian faith and baptism in particular, but also to see if this critique in any way mirrors contemporary baptismal theology and practice. Julian the Emperor has two texts wherein baptism is addressed at some length. The claim that sins and mischief could simply be washed away by merely being immersed in a bath was appalling to him. The simplicity involved in Christian baptism was offensive. The only true remedy for a sick soul was the exercise provided for by the toil of Greek education. Julian’s critique mirrors fundamental convictions held by Christians on baptism, which may be summarised in the word of grace.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 285 | 75 | 12 |
| Full Text Views | 77 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 57 | 3 | 0 |
