As Christianity became more acceptable and the ranks of the church swelled with new converts, the task of discipleship became more difficult. The situation changed markedly under emperor Constantine the Great (reign 306–337), who declared tolerance of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire in AD 313. Because of these dangers, candidates for membership in the early church were rigorously examined to ensure a clear understanding of the gospel and prepare them for the possibility of martyrdom. Christians faced episodic persecution by the empire and were occasionally publicly executed as martyrs. Professing faith in Christ, therefore, was a sober and serious commitment. The church underwent massive transformation as Christianity transitioned from a persecuted sect to the predominant religion of the Roman Empire.įor much of the first two centuries of the church’s existence, the Roman government regarded Christianity as an illegitimate religion. To understand their history is to take a large step toward recovering their value. But dismissing the seven virtues and their related vices would be to abandon centuries of profound theological and pastoral reflection. In fact, we tend to view lists that say “do this” or “don’t do that” as legalistic obstacles to spiritual formation.

To those of us accustomed to a wide array of rich resources for discipleship, lists of vices and virtues might seem rudimentary. (Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, Psychomachia) He makes for the soul ornaments from its dark past to delight Wisdom as she reigns forever on her glorious throne. He places the jewels of the virtues in their proper places - and in the place of sin, he builds the courts of his temple. We, body and spirit, have desires that are at odds with one another until Christ our Lord comes to help.

Mirror christianity