Christianity shows its greatness when it is hated by the world

In his letter to the Romans, less than 75 years after the death of Christ, St. Ignatius of Antioch makes clear the right relationship between the followers of Christ and the world. Our task, he says, is not to produce “persuasive propaganda” to convince those around us that Christianity leads to a flashy life of prosperity and prestige. Christianity leads to the cross; it leads Christians to the cross, which in the eyes of the world is, as St. Paul says, a scandal and an absurdity. If we are united with Christ on his cross, then we ourselves become a scandal and an absurdity. Thus, “Christianity shows its greatness when it is hated by the world,” because when he is hated by the world, the Christian is most like his Savior.

This message is part of The Trad Store’s Christian warfare series.