John Luke and Zach respond to sharp criticism, pushing back on a mindset that shuts down honest questions instead of engaging them. Al walks through the historical events that set the stage for Christianity’s explosion onto the world scene, including Nero’s brutal persecution of Jesus’ followers. Meanwhile, Christian digs into the cultural significance of the gymnasium and how it revealed the tension between Greek and Jewish ways of life. Today’s conversation is about Lessons 3 of Ancient Christianity taught by visiting Hillsdale Professor of History Kenneth Calvert. Take the course with us at no cost to you! Sign up at http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/. More about Ancient Christianity: Christ entered the world during the reign of Caesar Augustus. The tensions between Christianity and the Roman Empire shaped the daily practice of the Christian faith and led many Romans to distrust and persecute the early Christians. But Christianity also benefitted from the Roman world. And when Rome collapsed in the West, Christianity provided the hope for preserving civilization. In this free, eleven-lecture course, Professor Kenneth Calvert will explore: How the Jewish, Greek, and Roman cultures all contributed to preparing the world to hear the Gospel. Why many Romans distrusted and persecuted the early Christians. The inspiring stories of Christ, His apostles, and faithful ones throughout the first four centuries of Christianity. The arguments of key early Christian apologists—Ignatius, Irenaeus, Justin, Athanasius, and more—who defended and defined the Christian faith amidst the animosity of the Roman world. The conversion of Constantine and how he brought stability to Rome, and how the rivalry between his sons almost returned Rome to paganism. How Augustine’s writings helped preserve the message of Christianity during the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West. You will discover the uncertainties, trials, and triumphs of the earliest Christians as they confronted controversies within the faith and persecutions from outside it. Join us today to discover the improbable and miraculous story of Christianity. Sign up at ⁠http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters 00:00 John Luke & Respond to “Heretic” Accusations 05:45 Why Faith Should Welcome Hard Questions 11:20 Ancient History Points to Jesus 17:10 Greek Culture Invades the Jewish World 23:05 Israel’s Repeated Failure Before Jesus 29:10 How Empires Prepared the World for Christ 36:40 Rome, Nero, & the Brutal Persecution of Christians 44:30 Why the Kingdom of God Outlasted Every Empire — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices