As the cultural tide recedes from the beaches of Christendom, followers of Jesus are wondering how to reach a society increasingly antagonistic to their message. Of course, this is not the first instance nor worst of culture’s hostility to Christian ideals and beliefs. But perhaps we would do well to consider how those who went before survived and thrived in some of the harshest of environments: pre-Constantinian Rome.
Larry Hurtado’s “Destroyer of the Gods” dispels the myth that Christians were simply another religion in the pantheon of practices. It does so by outlining distinctions between Romans and their Roman-Christian counterparts. I read the book for context and understanding of this time period, but became amazed with the veracity of early Christians and troubled for the prospects of contemporary American churches.
The distinctions of Christian worship. Temples dedicated both to Roman deities and imported gods populated the Roman landscape during this time, yet Christians had no temples and gathered in each other’s homes for community. Unlike other religions, Christianity had no shrines or small statues, but instead its followers claimed these creations demeaned both the Creator god and the images (or depictions) he made for himself: humans. Other religions had various priestly classes, but Christians were notoriously flat in structure – all followers were considered priests under the authority of a single high priest (Jesus). Wealth, race, station, and gender did not distinguish followers, a stark contrast to Roman society. Christians self-corrected distortions of this norm within their own communities. The result was an alternative society where each member’s value was incredibly high, especially compared to Roman society where women, slaves, and children were exploited by the powerful.
The Christian tie to the written word. The early Christians were incredibly bookish compared to their contemporary Roman counterparts. The notorious ‘mystery cults’ of the Roman Empire remain a mystery today because they did not write down their beliefs. Writing was expensive, requiring time, scroll, pen, ink, and dissemination. Yet, these obstacles did not impede early Christians who left thousands of manuscripts, written prayers, homilies, songs, and correspondences scattered across thousands of miles. Christian writings varied in form from biographical accounts to philosophical persuasions. Indeed, modern notions of religious freedom stem from Christian writers appealing to political powers of this time.
Christian writing was not simply distinctive in volume but also in length and shape. Letters between churches were thousands of words long, and at a time when most writing was committed to scroll, Christians began using codices (books) to preserve holy texts. Finally, unlike other religions that gathered around an event (usually an animal sacrifice), Christians gathered to read, teach, and discuss written word.
A moral code that transformed the individual and challenged Rome. Ancient veneration consisted of acknowledging and respecting the gods’ power, but Christians understood worship uniquely. Christians claimed their God’s love and sacrifice compelled an ethical standard of living for all its adherents, including sharing that message and lifestyle with others. Social norms within these communities was filtered through their idea of what God’s character was like rather than Roman culture. This is why structures based on class, gender, and the like broke down within Christian communities.
Perhaps the most offensive aspect of Christianity was its resolute tendency to persuade other Romans to adopt its values, particularly as it related to treatment of exploited citizens. Christians did not attempt to overthrow the Roman-system, but did seek to offer an alternative Roman culture which set it on a collision course with Rome’s identity. Refusal to revere the gods with sacrifices and elevating each human life challenged the family unit, economic systems, and loyalty to a national power believed to provide peace and prosperity throughout the empire. While the faith grew exponentially, it came with a bloody price.
Reflecting on the distinctiveness of the church through the first three centuries should give the modern Western Christian pause. How distinctive are American Christians from secular neighbors today? For most, ‘Church’ is not a multi-ethnic and diverse family unit, but rather buildings scattered across the American landscape as temples in Rome once did. ‘Church’ is also a time on Sunday when wafers and wine are consumed individually rather than a celebratory meal of thanksgiving where relationships are fostered. Today, Christians are not known for their love for words, but rather their perceived ignorance. Though apathy seems a nation-wide vice, the Church is not creating a counter-culture that pushes each other to foster intellect. And while some Christians are aggressive in appeals to change society, motives appear to resemble partisan politics rather than love of neighbor.
American Christianity offers little in distinction to secular society apart from the appearance of rigid rules or cheesy gimmicks to bring people in rather than go out and serve. Otherness is not an end in itself, but I wonder if American churches were placed in Rome 2000 years ago, would they stand out like the churches then or simply blended into the religious market place?
Leave a Reply