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Some Money Matters
(North Africa). Writing as an apologist for the Christian faith around the year 200, he was answering criticisms that Christians were dangerous to society because of their secret meetings. In this selection, he describes how the 2nd-century Christian church congregation collected offerings, and how the money was used. SOME MONEY MATTERS The tried men of our elders preside over us, obtaining that honor not by purchase, but by established character. There is no buying and selling of any sort in the things of God. Though we have our treasure-chest, it is not made up of purchase-money, as of a religion that has its price. On the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a donation; but only if it be his pleasure, and only if he be able; for there is no compulsion; all is voluntary. These gifts are, as it were, piety’s deposit fund. For they are not taken thence and spent on feasts, drinking-bouts, and eating-houses, but to support and bury poor people, to supply the wants of boys and girls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons confined now to the house; such, too, as have suffered shipwreck; and if there happen to be any in the mines or banished to the islands, or shut up in prisons, for nothing but their fidelity to the cause of God’s Church, they become the nurslings of their confession. But it is mainly for the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us . . . . [Christians were criticized for the agape meal, some even accusing it of being an orgy.] Our feast explains itself by its name. The Greeks call it agape, i.e., affection. Whatever it costs, our outlay in the name of piety is gain, since with the good things of the feast we benefit the needy; not as it is with you [the critics], do parasites aspire to the glory of satisfying their licentious propensities, selling themselves for a belly-feast to all disgraceful treatment, —but as it is with God himself, a peculiar respect is shown to the lowly. [It goes on.] Tertullian of Carthage (160-212), from "Chapter Thirty-Nine" of APOLOGY, as excerpted in LIFE AND PRACTICE IN THE EARLY CHURCH: A DOCUMENTARY READER, edited by Steven A. McKinion. New York: New York University Press, 2001, p. 50. ISBN: 0-8147-5649-2. [Remember that Tertullian was writing before a New Testament canon had been fully acknowledged by the church. That would not happen until the end of the fourth century. To read full documents by Tertullian, go to www.ccel.org/fathers2 and choose volumes III & IV. Very interesting reading!] Have a great week. Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky carlstam@aol.com www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |