1st Reply to Markita:
According to the textbook, Christianity, apart from belief in God and Christ, rose above all other religions for several reasons. The first reason is because Christianity called the individual to complete adherence to a single creed. Jesus said that He was the only way to the Father (John 14:6). This makes belief in Him exclusive. The second reason is because every person mattered and each soul could be saved. Paul writes in his epistles that there is no difference between gender, slave or freeman, or Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28). Each person has value and can have relationship with the Father through faith in Jesus. The third reason is that Christianity offered the hope of a better life in heaven someday. This world is not a believer’s home. There is hope of a home one day that cannot be imagined because of the resurrection of Jesus (I Corinthians 15). The final reason that Christianity was favored is because this faith meets the need that each person has to belong- to connect with others in meaningful relationship (Galatians 6:2). In fact, the persecution which the Church had experienced made that bond of unity even stronger. Christianity is not a religion that man made up to get to God. It literally provides the ability to have relationship with God because of the incarnation, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus. God came to man- that is why Christianity triumphed. Although it is a personal experience, it is meant to be lived out in community.
Christianity’s appeal to ancient Rome and modern Western culture may be different. Roman philosophy was logical and Christianity is logical. The Creator God has a right to demand exclusive allegiance from His followers. This aspect of Christianity would appeal to Roman thinking. Christianity can appeal to our Western culture now through the concept of community. People are so isolated and alone. Deep, sincere connections are missing in the lives of many. Although they may have hundreds of “friends” on various social media platforms, they are actually disconnected. The Church, as a body, can help break through that isolation and provide the help, guidance, and accountability that so many need today.
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References:
The Holy Bible. (2016). English Standard Version. Original work: 2001 https://www.biblegateway.com/