Early Christianity has always seemed bafflingly complex to me. Arians, Pelagians, monophysites, Nestorians, donatists, etc. I wasn’t even sure how to capitalise them, let alone evaluate claims that were simultaneously pedantic and existentially terrifying!
The general theme of this book is that the historical Jesus, even for the gospel writers, was something of a mystery. Early Christians followed varying paths and largely existed below the Roman radar. Their big win was their openness. Many other mystery cults of this time were only open to certain societal groups, but at least some Christians were evangelising and leading by example – giving to the poor and helping relief operations after disasters.
This expansiveness laid the groundwork for an organised infrastructure. And this led to politics. Freeman provides straightforward, understandable explanations of controversies that occupied Christian intellects for five centuries, but he also covers this political aspect. I have to say that I found it very depressing to find that almost every time two ideas clashed it was the political players who won!
Jesus Christ gave his name to the religion. This book gives a very readable account of the people who turned it into something that spread around the known world.
This is about:
A New History of Early Christianity – Charles Freeman.
Moritasgus 