Roman Impact on Christianity
Abigania 1
Peter Abigania
New Testament
Professor Moore
A World-Changing Impact: The Roman Empire’s Impact on the Early Christian Church
It would be simple enough to say that the Christian faith has much to do with Rome’s political status and the instatement of the Pax Romana, but there are so many other factors that had the great empire closely correlated with the Christian faith. For one, a succession of rulers with different types of ruling styles would force believers and converts to flee in fear of persecution, but one important and overlying factor was the spread of the Word of God and his works through his son, Jesus. Throughout history, the Roman Empire has had a great impact on the Christian faith both positively and negatively, but the Message and the fervor of its followers has been able to stand the tests of man and time.
The Pax Romana’s reign over the Roman Empire can be followed after the end of the Republic Civil Wars and the rise of Augustus in 27 BC. During this time, fighting relatively ceased with some skirmishes still occurring in Spain and in the Alps and Augustus instated himself as the lead power of Rome. Alternatively, the name speaks for itself: Pax Romana translates to “Roman peace”. Some scholars believe that because of this emergence of peace, the Roman world was “set up” for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This openness to His ministry meant that more and more people would be accepting to hear it, but as history shows us, this religious tolerance would not last forever.
Abigania 2
During Augustus’ rule, a rise to power that has some scholars arguing over whether or not his claim to the throne was out of necessity or greed, much – if not all – of Rome’s institutions underwent reformation. Changes to society, politics, and the governing of land were not necessarily “changed” for improvement, but simply directed to one person: Augustus. One event that has a major impact on the Christian faith is the Census of Quirinius.
Peter Abigania
New Testament
Professor Moore
A World-Changing Impact: The Roman Empire’s Impact on the Early Christian Church
It would be simple enough to say that the Christian faith has much to do with Rome’s political status and the instatement of the Pax Romana, but there are so many other factors that had the great empire closely correlated with the Christian faith. For one, a succession of rulers with different types of ruling styles would force believers and converts to flee in fear of persecution, but one important and overlying factor was the spread of the Word of God and his works through his son, Jesus. Throughout history, the Roman Empire has had a great impact on the Christian faith both positively and negatively, but the Message and the fervor of its followers has been able to stand the tests of man and time.
The Pax Romana’s reign over the Roman Empire can be followed after the end of the Republic Civil Wars and the rise of Augustus in 27 BC. During this time, fighting relatively ceased with some skirmishes still occurring in Spain and in the Alps and Augustus instated himself as the lead power of Rome. Alternatively, the name speaks for itself: Pax Romana translates to “Roman peace”. Some scholars believe that because of this emergence of peace, the Roman world was “set up” for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This openness to His ministry meant that more and more people would be accepting to hear it, but as history shows us, this religious tolerance would not last forever.
Abigania 2
During Augustus’ rule, a rise to power that has some scholars arguing over whether or not his claim to the throne was out of necessity or greed, much – if not all – of Rome’s institutions underwent reformation. Changes to society, politics, and the governing of land were not necessarily “changed” for improvement, but simply directed to one person: Augustus. One event that has a major impact on the Christian faith is the Census of Quirinius.
Cited: Bloom, Harold. The Bible. New York: Chelsea House, 1987. Print. Bruce, F.F. "The Early Church in the Roman Empire." The Bible Student 56 (1933): 30-32. Web. 24 Feb. 2011. . Bryant, Joseph M. "The Sect-Church Dynamic and Christian Expansion in the Roman Empire: Persecution, Penitential Discipline, and Schism in Sociological Perspective."The British Journal of Sociology 4.2 (1993): 303-39. Web. 24 Feb. 2011. . Kreis, Steven. "Lecture 12: Augustus Caesar and the Pax Romana." The History Guide -- Main. 17 Oct. 2010. Web. Feb.-Mar. 2011. . "Roman Emperors - The Imperial Index." Roman Emperors - DIR--De Imperatoribus Romanis Roman History Roman Roman Empire Imperator Basileus De Imperatoribus Romanis Encyclopedia Byzantine. 17 May 2006. Web. 06 Mar. 2011. . "Roman Emperors - The Imperial Index." Roman Emperors - DIR--De Imperatoribus Romanis Roman History Roman Roman Empire Imperator Basileus De Imperatoribus Romanis Abigania 7 Encyclopedia Byzantine. 17 May 2006. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. . "Tiberius Caesar (Bible History Online)." Bible History Online Images and Resources for Biblical History. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. .