Saint Jerome’s Chronicle attests that before embracing Christianity, Arnobius was a renowned rhetorician in Sicca, Tunisia. After his conversion, during the persecution under Emperor Diocletian, he emerged as a defender of the faith in Africa. At the request of the local bishop, he composed Adversus Gentes in seven volumes in AD 303. From the ninth century onward, the work came to be known as Adversus Nationes. The treatise highlights the greatness of Christianity. The historian Lactantius was a disciple of Arnobius.
Arnobius records in his work the missionary activity of Saint Thomas the Apostle in India, stating that the Indians, witnessing his miracles, abandoned paganism and embraced Christianity. Though initially an opponent of Christianity, after his conversion Arnobius spoke forcefully against paganism.
He writes: “In India, Persia, Media, Arabia, Egypt, Asia, Syria, Galatia, Parthia, Achaia, Macedonia, Epirus, in all lands where the sun rises and sets, and finally in Rome itself, the Gospel has been preached… People everywhere abandoned their former religions and embraced Christianity” (Arnobius of Sicca, Adversus Gentes, PL 5, 828).
These words, written in the early fourth century, provide strong evidence of Christianity’s presence in India. Arnobius mentions India first and Rome last, symbolizing the eastern and western limits of the known world. His intention was to affirm that the Gospel had spread throughout the entire world.
Rev. Dr. James Puliurumpil
