Were Early Christians Known to Be Moral Reprobates?

Visit https://www.bartehrman.com/courses/ to shop from Bart Ehrman’s online courses and get a special discount by using code: MJPODCAST on all courses.

Many modern Christians think Christians are inherently more moral than non-believers. Non-Christians, as a rule, don't think so. What about in the ancient world? Why is it that the most widely attested view among ancient pagans was the opposite, that Christians were dangerously immoral reprobates? Why weren't they seen as stalwart proponents of family values?

Megan asks Bart:

Why is the reputation of early Christianity something that we should be talking about?

What historical sources do we have that help us understand how ancient people viewed Christianity?

Most Christians today understand that their beliefs and practices are good for the well-being of society, that they help make society a better place. Was that view shared widely among non-Christians in the Roman empire?

What kinds of things were Christians accused of doing?

What kinds of rumors were being perpetuated?

Were other mystery cults viewed with the same suspicion?

Did this have any bearing on early Christian persecutions?

How did Christians respond to the accusations leveled against them?

Did this approach actually succeed in changing their public perception?

Did the Roman world become more moral once it became Christian?