Like my morning grapefruit, Ted cuts into sections of our history with an edge of good studies and insights. The fruit is bitter-sweet as he shares with us this foreboding-reassuring account of early Christian formation, apologetics and martyrdom. And lastly, to complete this hopefully “fruitful” metaphor, Ted takes-up the rind and pulp, extracts the accounts of our brethren’s leadership and sufferings and recommends their witnessing and courage to our practice. But let’s keep our heads when going about it! Thanks Ted, for your and the Holy Spirit’s excellent “produce”. -TAM

Prefect Rusticus: "Are you a Christian?" Chariton: "I am, by God's command." Charito: "I am a Christian by the gift of God." Amazing responses knowing they would die for professing this. To say that their faith in Jesus Christ that put them in this position is a "gift" - I can't imagine watching Christians like these going to their death not having an effect on those who witness it. I also loved how others in St. Justin's company just couldn't keep it in and jumped right in professing that they're Christians, too without being asked by the prefect.

Cinicism is a fun branch of philosophy.