Politics
It is good for me to die for Jesus Christ rather than to reign over the farthest bounds of the earth. Ignatius: to the Romans (A.D. 35-105) Ch.6
They (the Christians) dwell in their own countries, but only as sojourners; they bear their share in all things as citizens, and they endure all hardships as strangers. Every foreign country is a fatherland to them, and every fatherland is foreign. Letter to Diognetus (A.D. 125-200) Ch.5
No more do we wish to live like the rulers of your people, whom God reproaches when He says, 'Your rulers are companions of thieves, lovers of bribes, followers of the rewards.' Justin Martyr (A.D.160) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.1 pg.240
I do not wish to be a king; I am not anxious to be rich; I decline military command; I detest fornication; I am not impelled by an insatiable love of gain to go to sea; I do not contend for chaplets; I am free from a mad thirst for fame; I despise death. Tatian (A.D.160) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.69
But as those in whom all ardour in the pursuit of glory and honour is dead, we have no pressing inducement to take part in your public meetings; nor is there aught more entirely foreign to us than affairs of state. We acknowledge one all-embracing commonwealth - the world… Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 45-46
SEE ALSO: Church and State, Two Seperate Kingdoms, War