Pierwotny Kościół w konfrontacji do świata pogańskiego w świetle pism Nowego Testamentu
Early Church in confrontation with pagan world in light of New Testament writings

Summary/Abstract: A particular attitude of the Early Church to pagans resulted from a “theological necessity” to proclaim the Gospel to all people (Mt 29:19). This universal aspect of early Christianity is oftenpresent in the New Testament (1 Tm 2:3). The analysis of some texts (Acts 13:13–52; 1 Cor 8:1–13;Gal 2:2–5:14) shows that mission among pagans was based on three theological premises: logic of God’s plan of salvation, knowledge of God revealed in Jesus Christ and the truth of the Gospel. They are exegetically presented and explained. Further we presented these aspects of pagan religiosity whichwould lead to conflicting situations with Christian communities: propriety/ impropriety of Christians eating pagan sacrifices (1 Cor 8:1–13), uncertainty about future and desire for ecstatic experiences andspiritual gifts (1 Cor 12–13) and unbelief in body resurrection. Explaining those aspects, the authorattempts to present historical and cultural background of pagan religiosity based on the works of ancien writers. Another element of confrontation of New Testament writers with pagans is their constant stigmatizing of immoral pagan life. It is done both in many lists of offences, which include mainlysexual sins (generally called πορνεία) and in criticizing concrete immoral attitudes and desires (e.g. incest and homosexuality). Also pedophilia, though it is not directly listed in the New Testament,was very common in the pagan world and it completes the image of moral pagan corruptionand undoubtedly could have been classified by saint Paul as sexual depravity – πορνεία (Ro 1:26-27). Finally, we confronted the attitude to manual labor in Jewish culture and in Greco-Roman culture. In Jewish culture we can talk about work ethos, which gave material means for support and did not disturb more spiritual work, such as studying the Torah. In Greco-Roman culture manual work was despised. That resulted from a dominant humanistic ideal (Greek παιδεία, Latin otium), which demanded a total dedication to intellectual and personal development. Manual work was left for slaves.

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