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When Jesus Became God: The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome |
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Amazon Sales Rank: 82501
Publication Date: 2000-07-10
Publisher: Harvest Books
ISBN: 0156013150
Type: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 288
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The story of Jesus is well known, as is the story of Christian persecutions during the Roman Empire. The history of fervent debate, civil strife, and bloody riots within the Christian community as it was coming into being, however, is a side of ancient history rarely described. Richard E. Rubenstein takes the reader to the streets of the Roman Empire during the fourth century, when a fateful debate over the divinity of Jesus Christ is being fought. Ruled by a Christian emperor, followers of Jesus no longer fear for the survival of their monotheistic faith but break into two camps regarding the direction of their worship. Is Jesus the son of God and therefore not the same as God? Or is Jesus precisely God on earth and therefore equal to Him? The vicious debate is led by two charismatic priests. Arius, an Alexandrian priest and poet, preaches that Jesus, though holy, is less than God. Athanasius, a brilliant and violent bishop, sees any diminution of Jesus' godhead as the work of the devil. Between them stands Alexander, the powerful Bishop of Alexandria, who must find a resolution that will keep the empire united and the Christian faith alive. With thorough historical, religious, and social research, Rubenstein vividly recreates one of the most critical moments in the history of religion.
Average Rating: 
Review: 2009-10-30
Engaging
I read a lot of books. It has been a while since one has truly kept me from start to finish. There are a few grammatical errors that almost confused me. All in all this book is a great read. I did not get the feeling that the author was for or against either side.
I wonder how such learned scholars can call these men church fathers. They may be fathers of the catholic church and her offspring. These men were essentially gangsters for a christ they created through philosophy. The Christ sent to redeem Israel is different from the christ these men murdered each other over. From their actions (Fruits) it seems that these were the wolves that Paul warned the church about.
Good book. Now I am reading 381 Heretics, Pagans, and the Christian State
Review: 2009-09-14
When Jesus Became God
Although it was not always apparent which side of the Trinity argument the author was on, his telling of the historical record of the events leading up to and after the Council of Nicea was very informative. I was satisfied with his interpretations of events. Did change my mind that the trinity doctrine is a heresey, a fallacy with roots belonging to the great deceiver himself.
Review: 2009-02-06
DIVINITY DECIDED BY A VOTE!
I WOULD WAGER THAT MOST CHRISTIANS DO NOT KNOW THAT THE DIVINITY OF JESUS IN THEIR RELIGION WAS DECIDED BY A VOTE----NOT UNANIMOUS I MIGHT ADD. I WOULD SUSPECT THAT JESUS HIMSELF WOULD BE APPALLED TO SEE WHAT NONSENSE HAS BEEN PERPETRATED IN HIS NAME. THIS WAS FOR ME AN EXCELLENT READ. ARIANISM IS STILL WITH US TODAY. MAY IT THRIVE!!!!
Review: 2008-10-01
From Pain Comes Understanding
While this particular text has been around for a while now, I have recently discovered it as a resource that is not only enjoyable, but helpful as well. It is especially useful for those who wish to grasp the social and political upheaval that accompanied the theological quest to define the relationship of Jesus to the Father.
Rubenstein is a Jew who grew up an Italian-American neighborhood. Among his friends were many Christians and this inevitably led to discussion and even argumentation about the life and death of Jesus, as well as the those events were interpreted. "They were friends," Rubenstein says, "but I learned to stay in my own house on Good Friday, since after hearing the sermon at St. Joseph's Church, some of them would come looking for me to punish me for killing Christ." On at least one occasion he was physically assaulted and he remembers calling out through his tears, "But Jesus was a Jew!"
Amazingly, this childhood trauma of interreligious proportions has become fodder for interreligious understanding. It gave rise in the author a desire to understand why Christian doctrine has developed in the way that it has. The product of his quest is this fine little volume that reads not like a book of history or theology, but like a novel. Even better, it is loaded with almost 300 explanatory footnotes. They are located at the end of the text for easy reference without weighing down the pages of the novel itself. In other words, you can put your feet up and enjoy the story or delve more deeply into the historical events around which the book is crafted.
If the first few hundred years of christological and trinitarian development remain a bit of a theological blur to you, then I recommend this enjoyable volume. If you are already comfortable with that era you will still enjoy this narrative because of the important connections it makes between theology, history, and our fallen human nature. Perhaps you and a Jewish friend can read it simultaneously! It will surely spark some vigorous conversation, and perhaps it will spawn some interreligious understanding.
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