Earliest Roman Emperor to Embrace Christianity?

[Kellan Sullivan]

Any Julio-Claudian embrace will really shake up Christian theology, espectially where preterism is concerned. In fact, a Julio-Claudian embrace likely changes Christian scripture considerably.

In what way? The Bible already preaches obedience to the God-ordained authorities (well, Pauline literature, Johannine not so much)

 

[Wendell]

In what way? The Bible already preaches obedience to the God-ordained authorities (well, Pauline literature, Johannine not so much)

Any number of ways. Butterflies alone suggest that different books will be included in the Christian canon once compiled. Further, the writing and tone might be different in places if the Empire is early to embrace the Church. It's also considerably harder for NERO KAISAR to be the Beast if the Julio-Claudians are on board with the message of the Nazarene carpenter.

 

[Kellan Sullivan]

Any number of ways. Butterflies alone suggest that different books will be included in the Christian canon once compiled. Further, the writing and tone might be different in places if the Empire is early to embrace the Church. It's also considerably harder for NERO KAISAR to be the Beast if the Julio-Claudians are on board with the message of the Nazarene carpenter.

Valid point. So might we see the exclusion of all Johannine writings then (maybe the Apocalypse of Peter? makes it in instead)? And how might the Caesars take to a book/faith that underlines their supremacy and preaches obedience to them?

 

[Tripledot]

Well the actual existence of a continued persecution of Christians throughout the empire is pretty sketchy to begin with.

I'm wary of any work about Christianity in Antiquity that mentions modern "culture warriors." That Christians were not persecuted continually does not erase the persecution they did face. One cannot say the Jews weren't persecuted even if their history was not one giant pogrom, to give another example.

 

[SlyDessertFox]

I'm wary of any work about Christianity in Antiquity that mentions modern "culture warriors." That Christians were not persecuted continually does not erase the persecution they did face. One cannot say the Jews weren't persecuted even if their history was not one giant pogrom, to give another example.

The book is incredibly thorough. Its worth a read. Also its not like this book is written by some secular atheist crusader, the author is a Christian.