The Early Church’s Strategy of Radical Love
The early church was used by God to transform the world, and they did it extraordinarily quickly. How did this happen? Let’s take a brief look at four means of radical love they used to transform the known world, and glean insights for us today.
They supported the poor
This should be no surprise, as both Jesus and the entire New Testament call us to do this. What is particularly remarkable is how the early Christians took care of even their enemies’ poor. Julian the Apostate (ruled 361-363), who wished to restore paganism to the Roman Empire, had to admit:
“When it came about that the poor were neglected and overlooked by the [pagan] priests, then I think the impious Galilaeans observed this fact and devoted themselves to philanthropy.”
Or, put more succinctly, “[They] support not only their poor, but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us.”
They cared for the sick
Plagues have wreaked havoc on human history, and in each case since the resurrection, Christians have used them as times to shine the light of Christ. Eusebius, the church historian described their actions during the plague:
“Most of our brother Christians showed unbounded love and loyalty, never sparing themselves and thinking only of one another. Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ, and with them departed this life serenely happy; for they were infected by others with the disease, drawing on themselves the sickness of their neighbors and cheerfully accepting their pains. Many, in nursing and curing others, transferred their death to themselves and died in their stead.” - Ecclesiastical History
He goes on to compare the radical love of the Christians with the fear and indifference of their heathen neighbors:
“But with the heathen everything was quite otherwise. They deserted those who began to be sick, and fled from their dearest friends. They shunned any participation or fellowship with death; which yet, with all their precautions, it was not easy for them to escape.”
They adopted the unwanted
Infanticide has been its own sort of plague throughout human history. Oftentimes to avoid expensive dowries, people would abandon female babies to the streets. Christians took this opportunity to adopt these children as their very own. Augustine testifies:
“Again, sometimes foundlings which heartless parents have exposed in order to their being cared for by any passer-by, are picked up by holy virgins, and are presented for baptism by these persons, who neither have nor desire to have children of their own.”
It wasn’t until 374, Valentinian I, a Christian emperor of Rome, made killing an infant a form of homicide. This practice continued however, as did adopting these unwanted babies, as one historian notes:
“About the year 787, an arch-priest named Datheus, established at Milan, at his own expense, a foundling hospital, in order to put a stop to the crime of child-murder…With this view he purchased a house near the church, and issued an order that the foundlings should be suckled in it by hired nurses, and educated for seven years. They were to be taught some handicraft; to be supplied in the establishment with food, clothing and shoes, and at the age of seven to be discharged as free-born.” - Johann Beckman, A History of Inventions, Discoveries, and Origins
Still today, Christians lead the way in foster care and adoptions.
They practiced equality and unity
Church historian Michael Green describes the radical nature of the Christian faith in Rome, leveling the spiritual field between all people.
“But materially there was a difference – in the quality of the fellowship. Here were societies in which aristocrats and slaves, Roman citizens and provincials, rich and poor, mixed on equal terms and without distinction: societies where possessed a quality of caring and love which was unique. Herein lay its attraction.” - Evangelism and the Early Church
This was so shocking, enemies of the Christian faith, like Celsus, used it as a weapon to mock the early church: “[Christians] show they want and are able to convince only the foolish, dishonorable, and stupid, only slaves, women, and little children.” What he meant as an insult, Christians uphold as a badge of honor.
The early church practiced radical love, a love that stood out to the world around them. When the world takes notice, they give ear to the only message that can save and transform, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Rick Harrington is a pastor at First Baptist Church - Haverhill in Massachusetts and the Provost of the (upcoming) BCNE Multiplication Center. He is the author of the books "How to Find a Church: Seven Steps to Becoming Part of a Spiritual Family" and "The Weight of Preaching: Heralding the Gospel of Grace".
