Within Reason #123 Candida Moss - Were Early Christians Really Persecuted by Rome?
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Sep 28, 2025 Candida Moss, a historian of Christianity and author of The Myth of Persecution, dives into the intriguing question of whether early Christians were truly persecuted by Rome. She explores the complexities of martyrdom, revealing how the concept predates Christianity and how definitions vary. Moss challenges the traditional narrative of the Neronian persecution and examines how local prosecutions differed from systematic targeting. Ultimately, she argues that tales of martyrdom are often embellished, shaping Christian memory and rhetoric over centuries.
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Apostles' Deaths Are Late And Embellished
- Accounts of apostles' deaths appear much later and grow more elaborate over time.
- Early sources often omit details, making later legendary embellishment likely.
Peter's Upside-Down Crucifixion Is Later Myth
- The Acts of Peter is a late, fictionally-styled account that frames Peter's upside-down crucifixion in Gnostic terms.
- The familiar humility explanation appears centuries later.
Roman Protocols For Christians Appeared Late
- Romans lacked established procedures for handling Christians until the second century.
- The first official Roman discussion about Christians appears around 112 CE.
