Naming Christians in antiquity

Abstract

This paper examines the development of the name "Christian" in ancient Greco-Roman literature. Some early usages derive from outside the early church and often reflect hostility to Jesus and his followers. Other references found in texts written by church members suggest that the term most likely derived from those outside the church. Eventually the term came to be used by the church as a self-designation. In light of the evolving distinction between "orthodoxy" and "heresy," the lack of uniformity among groups claiming the title "Christian" is significant. In addition to its look at the literary evidence, this paper also briefly examines the use of the term "Christian" found in inscriptions from the 3rd and 4th centuries. The paper concludes that the term "Christian" originated among outsiders to the faith and only came to be adopted later as a self-designation by the followers of Jesus themselves.