Essay #7 Persecutions! But Why?

Via Essay #6, I briefly described what happened to move the first century Christian movement out of the Hebrew lands and into the wider Roman Empire.  Christians were forced out, largely by rejection, civil war and the year 70 AD Roman invasion; violence.  

At first small numbers of Christians were welcomed in their new homes.  Then trouble began.

The Roman lands had well developed and established temples.  The people could choose which temples to visit and belong.  These were named after a “pantheon” of Roman and Greek gods and goddesses.  Pantheon means “ALL” gods and goddesses”.  Stories were told about the behavior of the deities.  Most presented some practical lessons for living.  Mars was the God of war.  Zeus was the god of the sky, weather, lightening, law and order.  Juno was the female goddess of marriage, childbirth,  and family protection.  My favorite is Janus who has two identical and opposite faces.  Janus looks to the past for lessons learned and forward to plan the future.  Our month of January is named after Janus.

Belonging to a temple usually brought people a salvation message of eternal life via the temple deities.  And there were immediate benefits.  Since there was no refrigeration, temple members could pool money and buy a fresh butchered cow.   Everyone could have meat (protein) for an evening for two per week. Then boil the bones and carcass for soup.  There were deals made between temple leaders to secure employment for carpenters and other workers.  Parents could meet other parents and ensure  trustworthy connections for their children and potential marriage partners.  Temple membership had ethical behavior standards; thus people knew each other for accountability. 

BUT—there was a temple price.  Money.  Labor.  Expensive offerings were required for temple upkeep, operations, and management.  Manager salaries. 

Christians came along, offered inexpensive house church experiences, to share food and personal connections.  Authentic following of Jesus required high ethical standards and accountability.  And eternal life salvation was presented as a free, gracious, unmerited gift of God.  Current sins were forgiven.  Women had a voice in all faith business and were considered precious…not mere subservient commodities.  In some Christian experiences, groups tried silencing women from teaching men, but quickly abandoned that inconsistency with Jesus’ ethics.  Everyone was precious.  Jesus was the focal point. There may be a “cross" icon, candles, Holy Communion vessels, but there were no huge, expensive, temples to sustain.   

THUS — Christianity was presented as a “Free” and saving gift of God.  Free from temple taxes and free from earning salvation. 

SO— Temple participation and revenues went down.  And many Roman citizens associated and benefiting from temple operations …. got mad.  Very angry!  WOW mad!  

Political leaders received complaints blaming Christians for social woes.  Shrewd and nasty political leaders drew attention away from their own incompetencies, failures, and bad behaviors by focusing social blame and attention upon the growing Christian population.  

Consequence:  Persecutions!! Christian beliefs about salvation now and eternally were tested.  Prisons, killing for public sport in arenas, confiscation of property, rejection, and worse, eventually collapsed.  God’s message of salvation now and eternally …. eventually prevailed.  

Next: factors and events…through which Christians were sustained by God in perilous times.