Early Christians

I just received an email. The author objected to the claim published on my website that early Christians were persecuted and killed for their faith. This proposition is part of a classic argument for the Christian faith. This propositon along with the assertion that a bunch of unschooled, blue-collared workers turned the world upside down in a space of a few generations is a classic argument for the truth of Christianity. The author of the email asked how do I know that the early Christians were persecuted and put to their death still claiming that Christ was resurrected. I was flabbergasted. I thought Nero's persecution of the early church was an established fact. I thought most historians agreed that Paul (Saul) lived and wrote some letters to some churches. In these letters, Paul asserted that he persecuted the early Church.

The argument may not be the most convincing argument, which does not mean it is not valid; however, for someone to attack the argument from that standpoint that early Christians did not suffer amazes me. Some people who do not read the Bible tend to doubt every historical fact in the Bible. No matter what one's stand on miracles and the supernatural, people need to understand the Bible does contain historical truth. Archaeology often validates the historical accuracy of the Old and New Testaments (just watch the history channel). One may think the gospel writers were trying to deceive their followers, but to do this they must validate their story in the warp and woof of history to convince their contemporary readers of the validity of their claims. I have talked to people who think the entire Bible is a fantasy. A total fantasy would not have convinced--L. Ron Hubbard nonwithstanding-- the first century gospel readers of the validity of the gospels' claims. This point of historical accuracy is one common ground where nonbelievers and believers may meet and discuss the claims of Christ. If one denies all truth in the Bible to all evidence to the contrary, may I ask who is the one not pursuing the truth?