Analyze the forces that shaped Christianity and caused it to triumph in Europe. Be sure to include the problems that Christianity faced as well as the factors that favored it and explain how the early church evolved. Be sure to cite specific examples.
Response .
The triumph of Christianity began with the spread of the Christianity as the Roman State declined. As the borders of the Roman Empire collapsed Christianity was able to enter into Western culture and become the dominate religion. To better understand the factors inhibiting the growth of Christianity, the origins have to be explained. The first Christians were the Jews, and as the religion spread through Judea, soon gentiles, those who weren't born Jewish, became believers as well. The beginning had its problems too. Gentiles were seen as the lower people, or really those that weren't God's chosen people. After Christ turned Christianity into a universal religion, his apostle Paul set out on his mission to the gentiles. Before the disillusion of the Roman Empire, Christians or Jews, were persecuted greatly. Christians suffered persecution for several different reasons. .
First, mainly being that they were Jews, Christianity was seen as just another fanatical sect created by the Jews. Another reason was because of the idea of monotheism; religions at that time were based on a polytheistic nature such as in the mystery cults. Christians also faced persecution due to their refusal to partake in state ceremonies required by Rome. Governors in different Roman provinces grew suspicious of the appeal of Christians to the poor and lower classes. However, as I stated before, the disillusion of the Roman Empire started the beginning of the spread Christianity. Even though monotheism was a factor that caused some of the persecution Christians went through, as people began to see Christ as a personal savior, the idea of monotheism became less threatening.
