Growing in the right kind of soil

How could a religion...a movement grow in the midst of persecution.

The way God orchestrated it is nothing but amazing. Planning from God it seems is much better than planning from Man.

From the book:

"But what the outsiders saw was not their worship. It was their habitus.

According to Tertullian, the outsiders looked at the Christians and saw them energetically feeding poor people and burying them, caring for boys and girls who lacked property and parents, and being attentive to aged slaves and prisoners. They interpreted these actions as a "work of love. "And they said, "Vide, look! How they love one another." They did not say, "Aude, listen to the Christians' message"; they did not say, "Lege, read what they write."

Hearing and reading were important, and some early Christians worked to communicate in these ways too. But we must not miss the reality: the pagans said look!

Christianity's truth was visible; it was embodied and enacted by its members. It was made tangible, sacramental.

Some people—a minority in society, no doubt, but a small number that was growing—were drawn by this to approach the Christians to inquire about their faith. Attracted by the Christians' habitus, people may have asked about their own associations' approach to poor people. (Is it right to cut people off when they experience economic reverse? If I lose my livelihood, what will happen to me when I die?)

Moved by the Christians' embodied love for each other, people may have asked about the possibility of experiencing this themselves. Intrigued by Christians in whom God's powerful presence is evident, people may have wondered whether they could experience God too. Could they approach the secretive church to get in on a good thing? The Carthaginian Christians' habitus drew people toward faith."

Christian societies were 'closed' in a way...they were not 'seeker sensitive;. A pagan going there could either get persecuted....or be thought to be a Roman official to bring persecution. Other 'societies' existed but were often outside the financial reach of 65 percent of citizens due to fees/dues.

Father

Prepare out hearts to be of one mind,

to be of one purpose,

to above all love You,

your Son - whom you sent as our Savior and Lord,

your Spirit - sent to enable us,

to love our brothers and sisters - no matter their nationality, ethnicity or status,

to love our enemies...no mater the cost.

To a habitus that reflects the Lord that died as a servant of All - so that we might serve him.

Sola Deo salus (salvation and safety is in God alone)