Early Christianity

Author: (French) Pierre Marie Beaude / Zhou Yuan
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The reason for Jesus' crucifixion was evident at the time: his disappearance had restrained any danger of chaos. The notice written by the Roman procurator provided the justification for his death: "The King of the Jews." This was a foreshadowing. Rome did not intend to let these false saviors disturb social peace. However, Rome had not anticipated that the story between them and this savior would not end here. From the death of Jesus to Emperor Constantine, in less than four centuries, Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire. The apostles witnessed it all. They taught this new doctrine. However, at the same time, they also had to face and deal with numerous oppositions and obstacles. In Jerusalem, Peter opposed the Jewish priests; from Antioch to Athens, Paul had to constantly confront irreligious philosophers during his travels; in Alexandria, the Church Fathers struggled against early heresies; finally, in Rome, Christians were persecuted. They commemorated their martyrs in underground tombs. Despite this, the number of converts to Christianity continued to grow. In 391 AD, paganism was finally abolished by imperial decree. This is what Pierre Marie Beaude tells in this book. Jesus' crucifixion, the twelve apostles, Roman underground tombs, the persecution suffered by Christians, the servants of the New Testament and the Gospels, the baptism of Emperor Constantine in murals, reliefs, gemstones, paintings, and historical recreations—over 190 types of documents are used to explore early Christianity. From the death of Jesus to Emperor Constantine, in less than four centuries, Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire. The apostles witnessed it all. They taught this new doctrine. However, at the same time, they also had to face and deal with numerous oppositions and obstacles. In Jerusalem, Peter opposed the Jewish priests; from Antioch to Athens, Paul had to constantly confront irreligious philosophers during his travels; in Alexandria, the Church Fathers struggled against early heresies; finally, in Rome, Christians were persecuted. They commemorated their martyrs in underground tombs. Despite this, the number of converts to Christianity continued to grow. In 391 AD, paganism was finally abolished by imperial decree. This is what Pierre Marie Beaude tells in this book. Jesus' crucifixion, the twelve apostles, Roman underground tombs, the persecution suffered by Christians, the servants of the New Testament and the Gospels, the baptism of Emperor Constantine in murals, reliefs, gemstones, paintings, and historical recreations—over 190 types of documents are used to explore early Christianity.