Birth of a Worldview, a Review
analytical Essay
1392 words
In Birth of a Worldview: Early Christianity in its Jewish and Pagan Context, Robert Doran attempts to analyze the development of Christianity in the early period of its formation and how it related to the Jewish and the pagan (Roman) religions throughout its development in early times. The text begins with a historical outline of the development of the early Christian world and then delves into a more theological analysis in the latter portions. The development of the book mirrors the development of Christianity itself, which was focused early on with finding ways to worship and expand the faith in a world that was very anti-Christian. Once it had become more accepted throughout the world, Christian writing and thought about theological matters flourished as a result.
The first chapter, Christians and the Roman World, examines the historical development of Christianity in its first few hundred years of existence. Before Constantine, Christians were heavily persecuted by the Roman empire and martyrdom was common. Non-Christian Romans saw the Christians as "bringing the displeasure and disfavor of the gods on their cities" (Doran 9.)
This persecution became very intense during the third century as Rome was frequently at war and its emperors sought to improve their favor with the gods by denouncing those who did not believe in their gods. The emperor Decius, who ruled from 248 until 251, forced Christians to offer animal sacrifices to the Roman gods for the well-being of the empire. While many of the wealthier Christians simply offered bribes in place of this sacrifice, many of the poorer ones had no choice.
In the year 313, Constantine then issued the Edict of Milan which resulted in state acceptance of the C...
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...ained that women were exercising liturgical functions that properly pertained to the male sex" (147.) Another writing which is not part of the canon is the Gospel of Thomas, which states that "every female who will make herself male shall enter the kingdom of Heaven" (149.)
Doran's book, Birth of a Worldview, while dense reading at times, presents a well-balanced view of the various issues involved in the growth of early Christianity and the different viewpoints held by the theologians of the time. A more expanded explanation of many of the concepts would probably assist a reader who is not well-versed in Christian theology or in early Christian history, for that matter, for the book is only 158 pages and seems to gloss over many concepts. However, the book is an excellent introduction to early Christianity from both a theological and historical perspective.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the development of christianity in the early period of its formation and how it related to the jewish and pagan (roman) religions throughout its development in early times.
- Explains that the first chapter, christians and the roman world, examines the historical development of christianity in its first few hundred years of existence.
- Explains that roman emperor decius forced christians to offer animal sacrifices to the roman gods for the well-being of the empire.
- Explains that the edict of milan promoted acceptance of all religions and pagan practices were tolerated throughout much of the fourth century.
- Explains that cosmos: the quest for order looks at the development of cosmology as it related to christianity during the religion's early years.
- Explains that the stoic contribution to christian theology was primarily with the concept of logos, or word, which is used in the gospel of john to refer to the word of god. plato contributed the idea of an incorporeal mind or soul
- Analyzes how plotinus spoke of something he called "the one" from which everything else in the universe originated. while greek philosophers like plato lived in mostly pagan times, their ideas seem interrelated with the concepts behind a monotheistic religion.
- Explains that galen believed in the existence of a creator, while christians and jews believe that god created the material and fashioned it.
- Explains that jews in the roman empire examines the growing separation between jews and christians as christian thought became more and more separated from its jewish roots as christianity developed.
- Analyzes how christianity began to move away from judaism, citing justin martyr's "devastatingly hostile attack against the jews" and melito of sardis' "god-killers."
- Analyzes how the first steps: articulating alienation addresses the development of an ambivalent christian worldview amidst the greco-roman and jewish traditions in which it developed.
- Quotes epiphanius, a fourth-century bishop, who argued that the hebrew mosaic law should be followed precisely. since christ followed the law as jew, so should christians.
- Analyzes how marcion, the son of a christian bishop, denounced mosaic law using the polemical statements of paul as his basis for his ideas. he also found what he felt were logical contradictions in the concept of god.
- Explains that at this time in christianity, there was no official "canon" that was recognized by all christians. bishop irenaeus argued that there were only four authoritative gospels.
- Explains that the next theologian examined by doran is valentinus, who emphasized that jesus dying on the cross was the important saving act for humanity.
- Explains that doran discusses christian rituals and social practices. the concept of marriage and the propagation of the species was an important one.
- Explains that the fifth chapter is called the source of power. the "power" refers to the power of jesus christ and its origins and nature from a theological perspective.
- Explains that theodotus believed that jesus was born a normal human and did not receive the divine power of christ until his baptism.
- Argues that noetus argued that god was both the father and the son and that they were one. pope callistus agreed with this view and denounced others such as hippolyt
- Analyzes doran's analysis of the concept of good and evil, and the attempts by early christians to answer the question of why evil exists.
- Opines that christians should consider their lives on earth as a "training ground" for the afterlife in god's kingdom. origen saw the body as being unclean with sin from the moment of birth.
- Analyzes how the final chapter, "neither male nor female," examines the role of women in the early christian church.
- Explains that the involvement of women in the early christian church was limited. pope gelasius complained that women were exercising liturgical functions that properly pertained to the male sex.
- Opines that doran's birth of a worldview is an excellent introduction to early christianity.
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- Explains that god is the creator of the universe and all that is in it. genesis 1-2 gives the account of creation at god’s word.
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- Explains that jesus was falsely accused of blasphemy and hung on the cross, an innocent man, to die. because jesus christ was perfect and holy, his death and blood shed was a sacrifice for the whole of mankind.
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- Opines that the new covenant, the restoration of mankind as provided by jesus, is a gift we would be foolish to reject.
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1291 wordsRead More - The Early Christian Churchexplanatory essayThis resulted in the mass persecution of Christians because of their defiance to the Roman Empire.
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- Explains that because religion was new, the logistics of it all were debatable except for one thing: pacifism.
- Explains that christians were persecuted because of their defiance to the roman empire.
- Explains that many men are considered the father of christianity, but two stood out among the rest.
- Explains that maximilian of tebessa refused military service because of his faith and was beheaded for his beliefs.
- Describes marcellus as a roman centurion who converted to christianity and refused to fight in the military.
- Opines that christianity was so empowering that these men would have rather been killed than even consider joining the roman military.
- Explains how pacifism and war theory began to change with christianity's early ages.
- Explains that origen refused to fight in the military and use violence against people.
- Explains that even though christians should not partake in wars, that shouldn't stop them from praying for the lives of the men who will fight.
- Explains principled pacifism, the belief that violence is not inherently wrong and sometimes necessary.
- Explains the support of force and violence if it is used to protect vulnerable people and to make peace among people.
- Explains that ambrose of milan took the side of the just war theory before it was even known to him.
- Explains that he believed christians had a duty to fight and protect the people that could not fend for themselves.
- Explains that origen, augustine, and ambrose changed the christian view of ethics and the middle ages of christianity began.
- Compares the middle age christians' pacifism to the early age christian's.
- Explains that absolute pacifism was replaced with the idea of just war theory as christianity became a majorly practiced religion.
- Explains that two orders were written to set guidelines and protect civilians living in the area at the time.
- Explains that peace of god wrote that certain people should not be harmed and will not aid in the harm of others.
- Explains francis of assisi started his own religious order under christianity that followed in the life of jesus more closely.
- Explains that although christians of the middle ages did not believe violence was inherently wrong, they still insisted that men who returned from war must make a religious retreat and repent for killing other men.
- Explains that protestants agreed that jesus was a pacifist and that they must denounce violence in order to follow his teachings.
- Explains that anabaptists were people who were born into a different faith from the one they were originally in as infants.
- Explains that anabaptists took on the idea of principled pacifism, like the modern aged christians, and beloved violence was allowed if it was in order to restore peace.
- Explains that after much debate and study, anabaptists agreed that in order to be a disciple of jesus, they must commit themselves to absolute pacifism.
- Explains that amish, mennonite, and quakers are the most known anabaptists in modern society that denounce violence.
- Explains that modern day christianity has been an influential part in altering the minds of people about important issues.
- Describes the catholic workers, a group of men and women with no official connection to the church, that help feed and clothe the poor, discuss and inform people on social injustices and shelter homeless and poor people.
- Describes pacifists who deal with issues of injustice, poverty, and violence through peaceful protests and civil disobedience that can even place them in jail.
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- Explains that they were scrutinized during wwii because of their protests against the war and their efforts to stop workers from funding it.
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- Explains that mlk jr. encouraged his followers to act against the laws put strictly on people of color, like jim crow laws, to bring to light that they are doing nothing wrong.
- Opines that after breaking laws, rather than resisting arrest, the people would go in peace to expose even more that they have done nothing wrong.
- Explains that some of the most influential people in the military claim to be strong catholics.
- Explains that studies have been done to prove that jesus was a principled pacifist and his disciples should be as well.
- Explains that principled pacifism is the idea that war can be just and necessary but practicing christians cannot take part in the violent acts of war.
- Explains that military men and women aid in the destruction of innocent lives. hypocrisy is a common theme with this topic.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the middle ages was a time of death, pain, and superstition; no one could escape god’s judgment. the church offered hope and salvation in an inevitably grim and solitary time.
- Explains how emperor constantine declared freedom of worship and emperor theodosius made christianity the official religion of the roman empire.
- Analyzes how the seven sacraments were a set of steps that would open the gates of heaven. the church's influence may have contributed to the validity of this quote.
- Explains that heretics were people who opposed the beliefs and teachings of the church and threatened their power over the people of the middle ages.
- Explains that excommunication and interdictment were the church's greatest tools to enhance power and influence over the people of the middle ages.
- Analyzes how the church used the idea of heaven and hell to their advantage by relaying biased descriptions of hell and the seven deadly sins.
- Explains that monks and nuns were preachers who spread the word of god, helped the needy and cared for the sick. they devoted their day to prayer and had daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, washing, brewing ale etc.
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- Explains that if they had to have lunch with one person from ancient rome, they would pick julius caesar.
- Narrates how the government raised taxes, war decreased agriculture, and overuse destroyed farmland. their encounter with the soothsayer foreshadows his assassination.
509 wordsRead More - Essay On Polytheism In Destroyer Of The Godsanalytical essayLarry Hurtado’s novel, Destroyer of the gods discusses the historical context behind Christianity and its role in the polytheistic world of ancient Rome. Hurtado examines what characterized early Christians through distinctive patterns of religious beliefs and practices that separated them from the Roman world (Hurtado 76). The novel consists of five significant points that demonstrate the difference between Christianity and polytheism which includes: religion in Rome, rules that Jews and converted Gentiles had to follow, Christian rituals, the history of the codices, and infant exposure. Each of these points represents a different aspect of history and were what stuck out in the novel. However, there are strengths and weaknesses that are contained
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes larry hurtado's novel, destroyer of the gods, which discusses the historical context behind christianity and its role in the polytheistic world of ancient rome.
- Explains that religion in rome was integrated within the common practices of society and represented an important part of life.
- Analyzes how hurtado specifies rules that were put in place to keep the jews and the converted gentiles hearts pure.
- Illustrates the importance of baptism in separating oneself from the world and a rebirth into the family of god.
- Analyzes how the novel's historical context behind the codices provides information on its construction and christianity’s contribution in its further development.
- Analyzes how hurtado compares christianity with other religious practices, such as infant exposure, which is a drastic point that causes the reader to try and understand the mindset to commit an atrocious act
- Analyzes how hurtado's structure, summary, and background information contribute to the understanding of the historical beliefs and practices of religion.
- Analyzes the weaknesses of hurtado's argument in destroyer of the gods. the main point seemed overshadowed by the practices and beliefs of roman culture and their view on christianity.
- Analyzes how larry hurtado examines the role of christianity in the polytheistic world of rome through distinctive patterns of religious beliefs and practices.
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