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DIOGNETUS MATHETES

The Epistle of Mathetes (an anonymous Christian) to Diognetus (tutor of the Emperor), Chapter 5 (c. 130 AD)
http://books.google.com/books?id=iWiEutzdW4C&pg=PP1&dq=%22Jewish+Law+in+Gentile+Churches:+Halakhah+and+the+Beginning&sig=9yW OX51ArdWCPPs5-v-g9AvbNhw#PPA216,M1, Jewish Law in Gentile Churches: Halakhah and the Beginning of Christian Public Ethics Google Books Result, by Markus Bockmuehl, 2000, p. 216, The Development of Public Ethics | The Epistle to Diognetus:

Oh yeah? Then whats this:


http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/diognetus-roberts.html, Early Christian Writings: The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, CHAPTER V -- THE MANNERS OF THE CHRISTIANS:

They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. If I went around loving all men by just doing good deeds for them (e.g., giving them money), I dont think any of them would want me killed. But, if I went around loving all men inviting in a sexual sense, surely Id anger lots of guys (even today).
http://www.catalystresources.org/issues/321holmes.html (Contemporary Evangelical Prespectives), CONVERSING WITH THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS:

Christianity and Culture How ought Christianity relate to the non-Christian culture around it? This question, part of our culture wars today, brings up an issue as old as the Christian movement. Because Christian values and beliefs ran counter to those of Greco-Roman culture, outsiders tended to be suspicious of the movement. Rumors that Christians practiced incest, cannibalism, and infant sacrifice were common among the general populace, who viewed these atheists (for the Christians did not believe in the traditional gods) as a threat to their own well-being. Apologists such as the author of the Epistle to Diognetus sought to dispel such rumors and misperceptions and to counter charges that Christianity was merely the corruption of ancient truth.
http://www.maplenet.net/~trowbridge/diognetu.htm, The Letter To Diognetus:

c. 100-150 C.E.

The Epistle to Diognetus is a well-crafted argument extolling the virtues of Christianity over paganism. It is difficult to determine the date of the letter, for it was never referred to in any known ancient writings, but it obviously dates from a period when Christianity was still regarded as a "mystery" religion. (By the way, in all these Specific Instances documents, I obtain the best occurrence dates I can find, but I decided not to waste everyones time by adding those sources and arguments just for that purpose.)
http://web.archive.org/web/20101227053106/http://goldenrule.name/Orgy_Diognetus-Mathetes.htm

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