History Of Christianity Quotes

“Ancient people, whether pagans, Jews, or Christians, did not neatly differentiate between the religious and the political.

They would have had a hard time understanding the difference.”
― Bart D. Ehrman, The Triumph of Christianity: How a Forbidden Religion Swept the World

“If there were just 2.5 million to 3.5 million Christians in the year 300, the church would have to grow only at a rate of 26 percent to reach 30 million by the year 400.

For the fourth century, if the rate really was around 25 percent per decade, that would only mean that every hundred Christians would need to convert just two or occasionally three people a year.”
― Bart D. Ehrman, The Triumph of Christianity: How a Forbidden Religion Swept the World

“We simply do not know how many Christians suffered imprisonment or died at the hands of the authorities: possibly hundreds of people, although almost certainly not many thousands.

We do know that, in the end, the Christians came out on top.

Constantine converted, and with one brief exception all the emperors to follow were Christian. There would never again be an official Roman persecution of the Christians.

Throughout these early centuries of on-again, off-again opposition, Christians were not always bullied, beaten, tortured, and executed.

Most of the time, in most places, they were simply left in peace. Many Christians went from cradle to grave without facing any public ridicule, opposition, or persecution.

We do not hear much about these Christians for an obvious reason: peace and quiet rarely make it into the history books.”
― Bart D. Ehrman, The Triumph of Christianity: How a Forbidden Religion Swept the World

“But the punishments!

Imperial bureaucrats who accepted bribes were to have their hands cut off (Theodosian Code 1.16.7);

ineffective guardians of girls who had been seduced were to have molten lead poured down their throats (Theodosian Code 9.24.1);

tax collectors who treated women tax delinquents rudely were to “be done to death with exquisite tortures”;

anyone who served as an informer was to be strangled and “the tongue of envy cut off from its roots and plucked out” (Theodosian Code 10.10.2);

slaves who informed on their masters were to be crucified (Theodosian Code 9.5.1.1);

How is one to account for such judicial cruelty from a Christian emperor?

MacMullen suggests that by the fourth century Christianity was revealing an increasingly cruel streak. He notes in particular the heightened popularity of the Christian literature... in recounting in graphic detail the torments of hell for those who refuse to do God’s will.

Possibly what applied to heaven applied to earth: If this is how God handles sin, then who are we to act differently?

Religious beliefs may have made judicial punishment specially aggressive, harsh, and ruthless.”
― Bart D. Ehrman, The Triumph of Christianity: How a Forbidden Religion Swept the World

“Constantius II ordered pagan temples closed and sacrificial practices stopped.

We have already seen a law issued in 341 CE: “Superstition shall cease; the madness of sacrifices shall be abolished... [anyone]... who performs sacrifices . . . shall suffer the infliction of a suitable punishment and the effect of an immediate sentence” (Theodosian Code 16.10.2).

In a law of 346 CE, the penalties are specified: Temples “in all places and in all cities” are to be “immediately closed” and “access to them forbidden.” No one may perform a sacrifice. Anyone who does “shall be struck down with the avenging sword” and his “property shall be confiscated.” Any governor who fails to avenge such crimes “shall be similarly punished” (Theodosian Code 16.10.4);

And perhaps more drastically, later in Constantius’s reign, in 356: “Anyone who sacrifices or worships images shall be executed” (Theodosian Code 16.10.6).”
― Bart D. Ehrman, The Triumph of Christianity: How a Forbidden Religion Swept the World

“Other historians have confined themselves to the recording of victories in war and triumphs over enemies, of the exploits of the commanders and the heroism of their men, stained with the blood of the thousands they have slaughtered for the sake of children and country and possessions; it is peaceful wars, fought for the very peace of the soul, and men who in such wars have fought manfully for truth rather than for country, for true religion rather than for their dear ones, that my account of God’s commonwealth will inscribe on imperishable monuments; it is the unshakeable determination of the champions of true religion, their courage and endurance, their triumphs over demons and victories over invisible opponents, and the crowns which all this won for them at the last, that it will make famous for all time.”
― Eusebius, The History of the Church: From Christ to Constantine