Christians and Romans to the Term Paper

An army's best use is not in battle against waves of invaders, but as a deterrent against invasion by its value to strike fear into the heart of a potential enemy. With its ranks swollen by Christians, the army is larger than ever and gives foreign princes and peoples the strongest disincentive to attack Rome or what shelters beneath the Roman eagle's wings. Thus, even though Christians can be counted upon to fight shoulder to shoulder with pagan soldiers, even if they would not fight the very fact that they march in the legions lessens the chance of their ever actually needing to.

If there remains any doubt that a Christian would serve with honor in the army, let my most honorable emperor hear the words of Christ himself who said that no man has greater love than he who lays down his life for his friends. Since the measure of a Christian's love is a measure of his closeness to God's heart and Christ's heaven, it follows that we should expect a Christian soldier to be more willing than perhaps any other to hurl himself in harm's way to save his friends, in this case, his fellow soldiers.Finally, if the Empire would only shelter the Christians instead of smite them, Rome could become the place from which Christians send their message of mercy and love to every corner of the world. In time, Rome would need no army, for with a world full of Christians she would have no enemies against whom she would require defense.

If the emperor is just, let him shelter the Christians, let him exploit to his own benefit and the benefit of Rome those he would otherwise smite. My prayers are with you, and with Rome.

Inspired by Justin Martyr's first Apology......