+1 862 207 3288 History, Western Civilization I
ESSAY QUESTION:
Taking Paul, Pliny, Celsus, Tertullian, and Augustine as examples, what are the main issues of contention in the debate between christians and so-called pagans? is this a clash of entirely different world-views, or are there some areas of overlap? You can discuss things like their views on the Divine, the purpose of religion, morality/happiness and human nature, the nature of community, the individual’s obligation to the state, the nature of the body and soul, or the place of human beings in the world, including their relationship to nature and to the animal kingdom.
ESSAY SOURCES TO USE: REFERENCES CAN BE PARENTHETICALS OR FOOTNOTES
1. Paul of Tarsus, “Epistle to the Galatians”, chapter 1-5
2. Correspondence of Pliny and Emperor Trajan on how to deal with Christians
3. Celsus, On the True Doctrine
4. Tertullian, Apology
5. Augustine of Hippo, “The city of God” and “Against Faustus the Manichaean”
