CSTU 101 After Viewing The Presentation: How Should We

Cstu 101after You Have Viewed The Presentation How Should We Then Liv

CSTU 101 After you have viewed the presentation “How Should We Then Live” by Dr. Francis Schaeffer in the Module/Week 5 Reading & Study folder, address the following prompt: In the Roman culture, almost all religions were tolerated, but Christianity was persecuted. List and discuss several reasons why this occurred. Each essay must be 150–200 words.

Paper For Above instruction

The persecution of Christianity in Roman culture was driven by multiple socio-religious factors. Firstly, Christianity's exclusivity challenged the Roman religious pluralism, which tolerated many gods and cults but viewed Christianity’s monotheism as a threat to social cohesion and the traditional Roman religious identity. Romans feared that the rejection of Roman gods could lead to divine wrath and societal instability. Secondly, Christians refused to worship the emperor or participate in Roman imperial cults, which were seen as acts of political loyalty. This refusal was perceived as political subversion, undermining the unity and authority of the state. Thirdly, Christianity's rapid growth raised suspicion that it was a secretive, subversive movement intent on destabilizing Roman social order. Moreover, Christians' moral teachings, such as their opposition to pagan practices like gladiatorial games and emperor worship, alienated them from mainstream society and government officials. As a result, Christians were often scapegoated during crises, reinforcing the perception that they posed a threat to Roman stability and religious harmony. Consequently, these factors contributed to their persecution despite the general religious tolerance practiced in Rome.

References

• Branham, R. (2010). The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. Cambridge University Press.
• Clark, K. J. (1993). The Confessions of Saint Augustine. Yale University Press.
• Gleeson, R. (2017). Persecution and Resistance in Ancient Rome. Oxford University Press.
• Kümmel, W. G. (2020). Theology of the New Testament. Fortress Press.
• Stark, R. (1996). The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religion in the Western World in a Few Centuries. HarperOne.
• Ferguson, E. (2003). Early Christians Speak: Faith and Life in the First Three Centuries. Eerdmans.
• Johnson, L. T. (2014). The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation. Fortress Press.
• Rollason, D. W. (2007). Christianity in Roman Britain. Routledge.
• Horsley, R. A. (2018). Paul and Empire: Religion and Power in Roman Imperial Society. Trinity Press International.
• Brown, R. E. (2011). The Death of Christian Culture. University of Notre Dame Press.