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THE SPECTACLES Novatian [sends] his greetings to the people who stand finn in the GOSpel.l IUITGRIEVES ME and sorely troubles my spirit when I , ",' [.. have no opportunity of writing to you. It is a loss to i'-: me when I cannot speak with you. Likewise, nothing - makes me so happy and truly delights me as to have that opportunity once again. I feel that I am present with you when I speak to you by letter. (2) I know that you are convinced that what I tell you is so, and that you do not doubt the truth of my words, but even so, proof attests the sincerity of a matter. I show my devotion to you by not letting slip by a single opportunity of writing to you. (3) I am quite certain that your daily life is laudable and that you remain faithful to your profession of faith. Nonetheless , ingratiating champions and indulgent advocates of vice are never lacking to justify their own vicious practices. What is worse, they transform the censure that the heavenly Scriptures pronounce on such matters into a plea for their own misdeeds. They would have it that the pleasure one gets from the spectacles is blameless because it is merely a means of mental relaxation. The strength of ecclesiastical discipline is greatly weakened and ruined by the enervating influence of vice. In consequence vice is not only exculpated-it actually wins for itself greater authorization. In these few words I have no intention of teaching you anything. You, who have already been instructed, should take care lest wounds whose edges have been 1 Cf. 1 Cor. 15.1. 123 124 NOVATIAN poorly joined together may break through the cicatrization formed in a superficial healing. (4) We overcome with greatest difficulty an evil that easily returns, especially if it has the approval and blandishing condonation of the crowd.2 Chapter 2 Among the faithful and those who lay claim to the dignity of a Christian calling, some find no shame-no shame, I say-in vindicating , from the heavenly Scriptures, the vain superstitions of the pagans that are intermingled in the spectacles and thus conferring divine authority upon idolatry.1 (2) When the pagans do anything in honor of one of their idols and the spectacle is frequented by faithful Christians, not only is pagan idolatry defended but religion-the true and divine religion-is trampled on in contempt of God. A sense of decency keeps me from relating their evasive defense and their pleas in this matter. (3) "Where," they ask, "are such things mentioned in Scripture? Where are they prohibited? On the contrary, not only was Elijah the charioteer of Israel,2 but even David danced before the ark.3 In Scripture, we also read of nablas, kinnors, timbrels , flutes, citharas, and dancing troupes.4 A struggling apostle paints for us the picture of a boxing match and of our own wrestling against the spiritual forces of wickedness.s Furthennore, when he makes use of illustrations taken from the footrace, he also mentions the usual prize-the wreath or garland.6 Why, then, should a faithful 2 Novatian was inspired by Tertullian, who had written a treatise (30 chs.) with the same title about the year A.D. 197; he also borrowed from Cyprian's Ad Donatum. 1 For the idolatrous character of the spectacles, see Irenaeus, Adv. haereses 1.1.12; Tertullian, De spectaculis 4-13 (tr. R. Arbesmann, _O.S.A., FC 40.56-82). 2 Cf. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 2.12. 3 Cf. 2 Kings (2 Sam.) 6.14. 4 Cf. 2 Kings (2 Sam.) 6.5; 1 Par. (1 Chron.) 15.28-29; Ps 32(33).2; 1 Mace. 13.51. 5 Cf. Eph. 6.12; 1 Cor. 9.26. 6 Cf. 1 Cor. 9.24-25. THE SPECTACLES 125 Christian not be at liberty to be a spectator of things that the divine Writings are at liberty to mention? " (4) I can, with reason, state here that it would have been far better for such people to lack knowledge of the Scriptures, than to read them in such a manner. Words and noble deeds which have been put down in writing to stimulate us in the practice of evangelical virtue are misinterpreted by them as so many incentives for the practice of vice. These things were written not to make spectators of us, but to incite our minds to greater enthusiasm for salutary things, given...
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