Como Viveremos? 01/10 - Francis Schaeffer (LEGENDADO).

Key Concepts:

• Roman Civilization: Its rise, attempts to establish a societal foundation, and eventual decline.
• Finite vs. Infinite: The contrast between limited human constructs (Roman gods, elitist Republic) and the concept of an infinite, personal God.
• Christian Worldview: Its strength in providing absolute values and a basis for judging the state, contrasting with Roman syncretism and relativism.
• Authoritarianism: Its rise in Rome as a response to chaos and the eventual failure to provide a lasting solution.
• Syncretism: The mixing of different religions, which the Christians resisted.
• Internal Weakness: The primary cause of Rome's collapse, including apathy, decadence, and economic decline.
• Absolute Truth: The Christian belief in a universal standard based on God's word, contrasting with the relativistic Roman world.

1. The Flow of History and the Need for a Foundation

• History and culture are driven by people's thoughts, which determine their actions.
• Societies face the dangers of both chaos and increasing authoritarianism.
• The video argues against despair, suggesting that help can be found by delving into history, specifically the Roman civilization.

2. The Roman Empire: Greatness and Limitations

• The Roman Empire was vast, spanning Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.
• Example: The Roman conquest of the Helvetians in Switzerland, highlighting both Roman military strength and temporary setbacks.
• Avenches (Vendunum): A Roman city in Switzerland with significant Roman ruins, including an amphitheater, theater, and temples. A gold bust of Marcus Aurelius was found here.
• Despite its greatness, Rome lacked answers to fundamental human problems.
• Military strength alone is insufficient without a foundation of knowing right from wrong.

3. Failed Attempts to Build a Societal Foundation

• Rome initially tried to build upon the decisions of citizens of the Republic and later the Emperors, but this failed.
• The Roman system was not a democracy where everyone shares in it.
• The Romans then turned to their gods (e.g., Goddess Diana), but these gods were finite and limited, merely amplified humanity, not Divinity.
• The Romans lacked a sufficient intellectual base or a value system strong enough to withstand the strains of life.
• The Roman gods were created by the society and collapsed with it.

4. The Rise of Authoritarianism in Rome

• The Roman Republic failed to maintain order, leading to armed gangs and disrupted government functions.
• Self-interest replaced social interest.
• In desperation, the people accepted authoritarian government under Julius Caesar, who was made dictator for life.
• Plutarch's quote: The Romans hoped that a single ruler would provide stability after civil wars.
• Octavian (Caesar Augustus) came to power after Caesar's death.
• Virgil's Aeneid: Augustus was portrayed as a divinely appointed leader bringing peace and civilization.
• Augustus became Pontifex Maximus (head of the state religion) and promoted the worship of the emperor.
• Later emperors attempted legal reforms and welfare programs, but a "human God" was an inadequate foundation.

5. The Christian Worldview: A Contrasting Foundation

• Becoming a Christian in Roman times meant opposing not only the surrounding religion but the entire culture built upon it.
• Open profession of faith could quickly lead to martyrdom.
• Christians were not killed for worshiping Jesus per se, as many religions were tolerated, but because they were seen as rebels against the state's unity centered on emperor worship.
• The Christians worshiped the personal infinite God only, which Caesar could not tolerate.
• This was considered treason, especially during Diocletian's reign when upper classes began converting.
• The early church believed Jesus was the prophesied Messiah who died on the cross.
• They believed the Old Testament, the Revelation in Christ, and the New Testament were God's truth, providing a fixed point in the relativistic Roman world.

6. The Fragility of Cultures and the Strength of the Christian Base

• A weak cultural or individual foundation can only withstand limited pressure.
• Analogy: Roman humpback bridges that could handle ancient traffic but would break under a modern truck.
• Culture and freedoms are fragile and require a sufficient base to avoid collapse.
• The Christians used catacombs for burial and worship.
• The Christians' resistance to syncretism and the weaknesses of Roman culture demonstrated the strength of their worldview.
• Their strength rested on the belief in an infinite, personal God who had spoken in the Old Testament, the Revelation through Christ, and the New Testament.
• This provided knowledge about the universe and absolute, universal values.
• They believed people are made in the image of God, giving each individual dignity and value.
• They rejected syncretism and saw all other gods as false.

7. The Christian Challenge to Totalitarianism

• No totalitarian state can tolerate those with an absolute standard by which to judge the state's actions.
• The Christians had a universal standard to judge both personal morals and the state, making them enemies of totalitarian Rome.

8. The Collapse of Rome: Internal Weaknesses

• Even though many Christians were martyred, they possessed the answers that the Romans lacked.
• The Romans rejected the Christian base, leading to their society's collapse.
• Roman society became decadent, with a thirst for violence and gratification of the senses, exemplified by rampant sexuality in Pompei.
• Rome collapsed due to internal weaknesses, not external forces.
• Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 AD, and it became the state religion in 381 AD, but the majority continued in their old ways.
• Apathy was prevalent, with the elite abandoning intellectual life for social life.
• Art became decadent, and music became bombastic.
• Example: The inferior quality of 4th-century art on the Arch of Constantine compared to 2nd-century works from Emperor Trajan's era.
• The economy declined due to costly government and inflation, leading to increased authoritarianism.
• As fewer people were inclined to work, the state took over more, resulting in a loss of freedoms.
• Laws were passed binding farmers to their land.
• Few people believed the old civilization was worth saving.

9. Conclusion: The Need for a Foundation Beyond Humanism

• Nothing humanistic provides a strong enough base for society or individual life.
• The Greeks and Romans failed to build on an exclusive elitist society or on finite gods.
• There is no foundation strong enough for society within the realm of finiteness and beginning for man alone and is autonomous.
• The Christians were able to stand because they began with the existence of an infinite personal God who had spoken and provided truth in the Old and New Testaments.