Perpetua

           In the book of Philippians, Paul states that, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  If Lucretius and Perpetua were to read this they would most likely disagree, and agree though not in the same way.  For the Epicurean believer Lucretius, life derives and should flourish from a naturalistic, materialist point of view.  Living for the pleasure, and joy of life because nothing is after death is the key to a life well lived.  “Grim religion” is a description used in his writing, On the Nature of Things.   In his opinion, men are too hard on themselves and should remember to enjoy as much pleasure as possible so as to rest knowing that though tomorrow may not come, at least they experienced “life.”  The notion of giving of oneself in death for their belief in God is perhaps ludicrous to Lucretius.  Death means nothing but the end of life.  This is definitely  an idea many hold to today.  Death is certainly not gain.

      Perpetua, a martyr for her devotion to Jesus Christ, would agree wholeheartedly with the words of Paul.  This life holds nothing to being in the presence of God in Heaven.  She holds to the truth that we are sojourners.  We should not root ourselves in this world.  Her actions and statements in the account, The Passion of Perpetua and Felicity, hold to the belief that there is life after death—life in the truest form.  Dying for her faith meant the complete discard of this world’s joys and pleasures for the everlasting joy and pleasure of being with her Creator forever therefore inheriting the promises

of Christ.

       For  the Christian Missionaries facing death, Lucretius would advise them to renounce their beliefs for the reason that it is not good to live for a higher being that’s calling them to persevere in hardships.  He would instruct them saying something to the extent of, “This world is all we’ve got, so better to stay and live here then be anywhere else.”  Cue Perpetua who would praise God along with the Christian Missionaries for the opportunity of living and dying for Christ.  She would implore them to hold fast to the words of Christ and the fellowship of the saints.  Who knows, their testimonies and complete joy in persecution could bring Lucretius to Christ.