Slavery and the early Church fathers

Moses of Crete, The Jewish Messiah of the fifth Century

Moses of Crete was hailed as the new Moses by many Jews of the fifth Century but instead led his followers to disaster on the island of Crete. He had promised to part the Mediterranean Sea - just like the original Moses had allegedly parted the Red Sea - and lead his people back to Israel. On the day however, the miracle never manifested itself and the followers who obeyed his command to jump off a cliff were either drowned or dashed to pieces on the rocks below the cliff. These events happened during the reign of the (Eastern Roman Emperor) Theodosius II (Theodosius the Younger).

Early Christian Councils and slavery

Slavery - one of the prime examples of man’s inhumanity to man and something that was obviously practised widely during the period of early Christianity. But what did the early Church have to say about it? Well in this video we’ll take a look at where and how the various Councils and synods organised by the Church during the fourth and fifth centuries and beyond mention the practice of keeping slaves and slavery in general. Many of the most important decisions regarding the future direction of Christianity were taken in these various synods and this was especially so in the ecumenical councils held after Constantine became the Emperor. So these meetings were important events in shaping modern Europe and Christianity in general and of course European thinking.

Slavery and the early Church fathers

The regulation of slavery in the Old Testament and the implicit acceptance of the practice in the New Testament is arguably the most contentious issue in the Bible. You would think Jesus, supposedly God incarnate and who grew up studying the Jewish scriptures, would condemn the practice of slavery outright and in very clear and unmistakable terms considering its pervasive nature in not just Greco-Roman but Jewish society of that time. But in fact, Jesus never condemns slavery at all. However, the acceptance of the practice - both implicit and explicit - can be found not just in the Old Testament scriptures but also in the New Testament in the writings of St. Paul for example.

Celsus on the 'resurrection'

Celsus criticizes the Bible resurrection stories as well as the crucifixion accounts. Celsus, a second Century pagan philosopher was a strong opponent of Christianity and wrote a powerful critique of the new religion called Logos Alethes or 'The True Word' which was later banned by Christian Emperors. In his book, Celsus commented on all aspects of Christianity. This video looks at what he wrote of the crucifixion and resurrection narratives.

Paganism in 12th Century Europe

Paganism in twelfth-century Europe. Not all of Europe was Christian in the twelfth century. The Baltic area populated by the Wendish people, the Pomeranians, Prussians, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Lapps and Finns and other communities still had its own distinct religions, beliefs and culture. It was only after the Northern Crusades to eliminate paganism and force Christianity on these people were successful that Europe became entirely Christian during the 14th and 15th centuries. This video discusses  the situation prior to, leading up to, during and after the Baltic crusades (alternatively called the Northern Crusades).