Civitas et Lex (Dec 2017)
PRORODZINNE I PROSPOŁECZNE POSTAWY I DZIAŁANIA CHRZEŚCIJAN W ŚWIECIE JAKO WKŁAD W BUDOWANIE DOBRA WSPÓLNEGO W I–III WIEKU
Abstract
In the first three centuries of Christianity the concern for the common good, including not only the individual but the entire religious and culturally diverse community, was not in the interest of the followers of Christ. All the more so because Christians in many circles were perceived negatively,seeing in their existence and action the threat to the existing religious, social and political order. Yet the contribution of Christians to the building of common good in the first centuries is very evident, although due to the relatively small community that the followers of Christ in the Empire community seem to be small. It is important, however, that the goals of their actions were not in conflict with the best interests of the Empire community. An important question in this context is: what good or values did Christians consider individual and common to all the inhabitants of the Empire? They include such good things as the protection of every life, the one and indissoluble marriage, the hospitality and the support of the poor, and in relation to society and the Empire, Christians have declared themselves supporters of peace, emphasized the honesty in paying taxes and tributes imposed by law, justice in human relations. The purpose of this article is to point out some of the activities of Christians in the first two centuries, supporting the family and community in which Christians lived, as a manifestation of concern for the common good. Information on these activities is found in many of the works of Christians born in this period, which have survived to our times.
