History question re: Rise of Christianity?

Question

Why did Christianity spread through the Roman world? How did Christianity move from being a small, persecuted sect to one of the most important political players in Europe and the Mediterranean basin?

Original answers only please. I have a writing disability, yet, I too can cut and paste from Wikipedia. I could def use some help, or at least a list of bullet points to help me with this because I have to know what is up to discuss it with my Jr. AP History class, and my book is MIA. Thanks.

Answer 1

The Constantine-based explanation simply will not work. The early phenomenal growth of Christianity came BEFORE his conversion (and many would argue that his state-sponsorship did much to WEAKEN Christianity by bringing in people who did not really believe).

Some of the most intriguing material about the rise of Christianity (and various fruits of its growth through the centuries) is found in the works of sociologist Rodney Stark. He has two books that are particularly helpful for your question.

The Rise of Christianity: A sociologist reconsiders history (1996)

Cities of God: The Real Story of How Christianity Became an Urban Movement and Conquered Rome (2006)

Stark considers what it was in Christianity (not just theology, but in how Christians behaved) that steadily attracted converts through the first few centuries -- in comparison with the polytheistic religions of the Roman world that were LOSING their appeal and adherents.

Some of the things he points to as having a major impact:
1) better treatment of women, who participated in the worsihp (and NOT as temple prostitutes!)

2) during several plagues many fled the cities, including leaders of the pagan temples, but Christians stayed behind, at the risk of their lives, to care for the sick. Many unbelievers rescued thus (while the Christians who aided them might even have died) were converted by this example

3) Christians did not believe in abortion or the common Roman practice of infanticide -- this led to greater 'natural' growth in their families, but also they would often rescue, adopt and raise abandoned children.

4) during periods of heavy persecution, many Christians were martyred, and rather than fighting back, graciously accepted it, even praying for their captors

Answer 2

This is true if you only want to write the negative. The Roman Empire collapsed not only due to Christianity. Their armies were over-extended and Germanic tribes pushing hard on the weak spots on the borders got through. Also, goods from different states in the Empire such as Iberia, Anatolia, and Egypt were cheaper than goods coming directly from Rome and Italy. People stopped 'buying locally.' Inflation went up. Inflation, outsourcing, and over-extended troops. Not good.

Answer 3

Christianity owes its success and survival, primarily to two historical characters - St. Paul and Constantine.

What we see as Christianity today is actually the version produced largely by St. Paul, rather than the original teachings of Christ - which had definite ascetic tendencies that we do not see today.

Considering Paul never met Christ, I find it quite amazing that it is his vision that comes down to us today. The fact is that he was in direct conflict with the "original" followers of Christ and that he "Romanised" Christianity to make it more palatable to the Gentiles.

Constantine, of course, firstly tolerated Christianity and then eventually declared himself to be a Christian (although he waited until he was in his forties to do so). This was a real turning point for the Christian Church and set the bedrock for the spread of the religion through the Romanised part of Europe.

Answer 4

The Jews prosyletized widely in the Roman empire. The initial stage of conversion to Judaism is belief in the Torah as divinely revealed and accepting the Noahide covenant, which consists of seven laws. Communities of Noahides were common around the synagogues of the Jewish diaspora in the cities of the empire and sometimes included influential members of the Roman establishment. The spread of Christianity was facilitated by this substructure of gentiles familiar with Judaic tradition.

The Christian movement in the Greek and Latin speaking lands of the empire was effectively a syncretism of Judaism, Neo-Platonism, Roman polytheism, and western Mithraism. Many of the saintly characters (St. George, for instance) became identified with traditional myths and regional fables. This phenomenon, of course, continued throughout the history of the church up to the present- Easter (what's that rabbit got to do with the crucifixion, anyway?), the Virgin of Guadelupe, etc. The plasticism of Christian doctrine, and the religion's willingness to Christianize many diverse elements played a role in encouraging the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Of course there's more...

Answer 5

I agree with many here. It was due to the conversion of Constantine. He helped others to get converted. However, he too was cruel an emperor like many other Roman emperors or rulers. He did suck blood of innocent human beings. He tortured and punished in the name of religion as well.

But the solid bedrock foundation of the hitherto Christianity was laid by Constantine.

Then in the later days empires such as byzantine helped a lot to get re-establish its superiority as a ruling religion of europe.

Answer 6

simply because it is very easy to become a christian,and constantine realized that if he controlled religion then he can control the people,plus everyone likes a good fairy story, plus they had a much better ,what is known as today a publicity machine,also a lot of people turned away from jeudeism as it is a much harder religion to adhere to,