[5] Arnobius, whom Revilo P. Oliver describes as "a practitioner of the turgid and coarse style that is called African",[6] is a vigorous apologist for Christianity.

Arnobius argues that a belief in the soul's immortality would tend to remove moral restraint, and have a prejudicial effect on human life.

[2] In book 2 section 4 of Adversus nationes, Arnobius gives the first known version of the argument later called Pascal's Wager,[8] that in case of doubt about religion one should commit to it because of the rewards of doing so and risks of not doing so.

He argues: Since, then, the nature of the future is such that it cannot be grasped and comprehended by any anticipation, is it not more rational, of two things uncertain and hanging in doubtful suspense, rather to believe that which carries with it some hopes, than that which brings none at all?

His statements concerning Greek and Roman mythology are based respectively on the Protrepticus of Clement of Alexandria, and on Cornelius Labeo, who belonged to the preceding generation and attempted to restore Neoplatonism.