Home 
Julian had a problem: Christianity was taking over his empire. But dealing with that problem highlighted an even bigger one: his authority as Emperor wasn’t sufficient to rid his land of Christians.
His military might was simply no match for their humility and sacrificial nature.
Though he was born in 331 AD and struck down in battle just 32 years later, Julian accomplished much in his short life. He was known as a great leader and reformer, and spent the brunt of his reign trying to restore Rome to her former glory. A large part of his agenda was to reinstate Rome’s ancient system of religion, but his people were too fascinated with Christianity.
Julian noted that Christianity – what he called “atheism” because it rejected his pantheon of gods – was doing for his people what Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Tellus, and many others could not do:
Atheism [Christianity] has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and through their care for the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render them.
Once upon a time, Christians got it right. Let’s get it right, again, and keep it that way.
Resource’s Origin:
Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995, Page 35-36.
Topics Illustrated Include:
Care
Christianity
Christians
Church
Emperor
Help
History
Kindness
Love
Poor
Religion
Reputation
Romans
Sacrificial
Selfless
Service
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
