Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
The Alexamenos graffiti (a donkey-headed figure on a cross with “Alexamenos worships his God”) is presented as pagan mockery that still confirms the cross shape; what does this tell us about how the surrounding culture perceived Christians and their crucified Messiah, and what modern forms of “respectability” might this confront?
Another way to ask: What does the Alexamenos graffiti show about how non-Christians viewed Jesus being crucified and Christians worshiping him? What modern need to seem “respectable” might that challenge?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, the graffiti shows outsiders viewed Christians as ridiculous and worthy of mockery for worshiping a crucified figure, yet even mockery accidentally preserves historical truth about the cross shape. It confronts the desire to make Christianity look respectable to the surrounding culture when the cross itself was treated as shameful.
- David connects Tertullian’s report that pagans “dreamed that our God is a donkey’s head” with the discovered graffiti depicting a donkey-headed crucified figure.
- He stresses it is “ridiculing Christians… a pagan making fun of Christians,” not Christian propaganda.
- He notes the image clearly shows arms “stretched out” with wood “vertical but also horizontal,” confirming “an actual cross, not an upright stake.”
- The caption is quoted: “Alexa Menos worships his God,” portraying Christian worship as laughable.
- David dates it to “about the year 200… almost contemporaneous with… Tertullian,” using its closeness to strengthen its value.