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...but it didn't explode then. In fact, it didn't 'explode' until Constantine made it legal and then Theodosius I made it the official religion of the Empire in 380CE.
Except Justin Martyr said Marcionism, a form of Christianity, was widespread in the East around 150 AD. So I would argue it started to spread during the 2nd century AD.
But it is difficult to calculate how many Christians existed due to the absence of good records.
Except Justin Martyr said Marcionism, a form of Christianity, was widespread in the East around 150 AD. So I would argue it started to spread during the 2nd century AD.
But it is difficult to calculate how many Christians existed due to the absence of good records.
Exactly. What is meant by 'exploded' or 'widespread'.
The epistle to the Romans seems to indicate that a 'Church' of both Jews and Gentiles existed in Rome, and they appear to have been familiar with Jesus but Paul had to argue out to them the idea that Faith in Jesus as the risen messiah would enable Gentiles to be come God's People as much as Jews. I believe that this was his Thesis and declaration around 40 AD (though it could be relatively late) and he still had to try to sell it to Jesus' disciples in Jerusalem. This culminated in his meeting with them in Jerusalem around 50/51.
Thereafter, up to 60 AD, he seems to be battling against opposition from what he sneeringly called 'super -apostles' and seems to be bemoaning failure.
Then came the Jewish war ..what 70 -80 AD? And the end of Jewish Christianity. from the end of the 1st c to the end of the 2nd the churches that Paul founded do seem to have been the basis for the gradual and rather rapid increase in Christianity. Not an 'explosion' but a growth as we see in any successful religion. What makes for an 'explosion' is when the authority adopts the religion.
The epistle to the Romans seems to indicate that a 'Church' of both Jews and Gentiles existed in Rome, and they appear to have been familiar with Jesus but Paul had to argue out to them the idea that Faith in Jesus as the risen messiah would enable Gentiles to be come God's People as much as Jews. I believe that this was his Thesis and declaration around 40 AD (though it could be relatively late) and he still had to try to sell it to Jesus' disciples in Jerusalem. This culminated in his meeting with them in Jerusalem around 50/51.
Thereafter, up to 60 AD, he seems to be battling against opposition from what he sneeringly called 'super -apostles' and seems to be bemoaning failure.
Then came the Jewish war ..what 70 -80 AD? And the end of Jewish Christianity. from the end of the 1st c to the end of the 2nd the churches that Paul founded do seem to have been the basis for the gradual and rather rapid increase in Christianity. Not an 'explosion' but a growth as we see in any successful religion. What makes for an 'explosion' is when the authority adopts the religion.
The 'explosion' came when it became the state religion and people were given the choice of 'convert or die.'
The 'explosion' came when it became the state religion and people were given the choice of 'convert or die.'
There was an element of that. Constantine permitted Christianity, certainly and his mother (Helena (1) evangelised it, while Constantine seems rather to have pushed his own sun -god religion, with himself as identified with it. In effect, he was a pagan and you can believe the deathbed conversion or not. But certainly after Constantine the Bishops of Rome began putting pressure on the emperors to support Christianity and eradicate all other religions, which is probably where the 'explosion' can really be seen to happen.
(1) the claim that Constantine converted to Christianity and fought the battle that made him Emperor with his army displaying symbols of the cross is pretty certainly untrue. He ruled as a pagan (under the cult of the Sun -god which was combined with the Imperial Cult) and really only legitimised Christianity because his old mum was one. Mind, he might have seen that it had to come anyway. Why alienate a quarter of your populace?
Here, you are clearly saying Christians do nothing to help our fellow-man. Motivation is not the issue.
Jimmie, you keep telling us what the issue is. Other people have just as much right to say what the issue is. You are not the decider.
Now, how does this wandering topic of why christians and atheists show evidence for Jesus' resurrection OUTSIDE OF the bible? Because that's what the issue actually is in this thread, and several of us have allowed that to wander.
Likewise, I am dumbfounded by people like you that can’t see the evidence for Christianity, right in front of your face! It’s played out in front of us every day.
Again, what is the evidence outside of the bible that you are citing for Jesus' resurrection. I've never seen that evidence cited while in the catholic church or methodist church. And there is nothing I saw "every day" that has anything to do with resurrection.
Because it's obvious. The OP never intended on actually discussing real proofs. It's to crap on the Bible. Any fool can plainly see that.
But do you have actual evidence outside the bible for the resurrection? That's a pretty simple question, and it's a shame that we have allowed the topic to wander.
Exactly. What is meant by 'exploded' or 'widespread'.
I understand exploded as many became Christians over a short time.
Widespread means (according to Justin) across the East of the Roman empire. Whether there were many Christians, this I do not know. But it was probably in response to the popularity of Marcionism that the first canon was formed, even though the texts were contradictory.
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