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Christianity after christ

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Andrew Lack

The document discusses the historical context and spread of Christianity after Jesus Christ. It notes that we have detailed historical sources from the early years, including the Acts of the Apostles and many epistles. Paul of Tarsus played a key role in spreading Christianity. The Roman Empire provided stability and infrastructure that allowed Christianity's spread, though it was initially one of many religions and faced opposition from Jews, local religions, and eventually Romans themselves due to concerns about its growth.

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Christianity after Christ
Historical Sources We have quite detailed historical sources for the early years of Christianity after Christ The Acts of the Apostles was a second book written by the Greek physician Luke Many of the epistles (letters) refer to incidents, heresies, issues, people and churches As Christianity became a growing force other writers and commentators started to make reference to it not always in a complimentary way!
Stages in the spread of Christianity
Impact of Paul of Tarsus
Christianity after christ
Context for early Christianity Pax Romana (the Peace of Roam) meant all of Europe and the middle east were relatively stable Roman obsession for communication meant linking roads were built Romans allowed freedom of religion (in general) though strongly suppressed any religion thought to attack their power
Religion Romans: polytheist the official religion Greek: wide spread due to earlier Greek empire polytheist Romans blended or identified Greek gods as Roman gods Other cults and local religions were plentiful Practices included idol worship, talismans, witchcraft, necromancy, temple prosititution, sacrifice, superstition
Opposition Jewish synagogues and leaders were hostile to what was seen as a false messiah cult Local religions were hostile to the idea of losing revenue and adherents Some people saw Christianity as a interesting new way for them to seek power (or extort money) and claimed to be Christian exorcists, healers or teachers All of this can be read about in Acts 19 Romans, while initially without interest, became concerned as numbers grew, despite the emphasis in Christianity on peace and personal holiness Nero persecuted Christians in Rome after the great fire of 64 CE
Roman Empire The roman empire reached its maximum coverage in the rule of Trajan (to 117 AD) There were various crises in the 3rd C Christianity became the official religion in 4th C under Constantine Western part collapsed in 5th C

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Christianity after christ

  • 2. Historical Sources We have quite detailed historical sources for the early years of Christianity after Christ The Acts of the Apostles was a second book written by the Greek physician Luke Many of the epistles (letters) refer to incidents, heresies, issues, people and churches As Christianity became a growing force other writers and commentators started to make reference to it not always in a complimentary way!
  • 3. Stages in the spread of Christianity
  • 4. Impact of Paul of Tarsus
  • 6. Context for early Christianity Pax Romana (the Peace of Roam) meant all of Europe and the middle east were relatively stable Roman obsession for communication meant linking roads were built Romans allowed freedom of religion (in general) though strongly suppressed any religion thought to attack their power
  • 7. Religion Romans: polytheist the official religion Greek: wide spread due to earlier Greek empire polytheist Romans blended or identified Greek gods as Roman gods Other cults and local religions were plentiful Practices included idol worship, talismans, witchcraft, necromancy, temple prosititution, sacrifice, superstition
  • 8. Opposition Jewish synagogues and leaders were hostile to what was seen as a false messiah cult Local religions were hostile to the idea of losing revenue and adherents Some people saw Christianity as a interesting new way for them to seek power (or extort money) and claimed to be Christian exorcists, healers or teachers All of this can be read about in Acts 19 Romans, while initially without interest, became concerned as numbers grew, despite the emphasis in Christianity on peace and personal holiness Nero persecuted Christians in Rome after the great fire of 64 CE
  • 9. Roman Empire The roman empire reached its maximum coverage in the rule of Trajan (to 117 AD) There were various crises in the 3rd C Christianity became the official religion in 4th C under Constantine Western part collapsed in 5th C