19 september 2005early christianity in rome 1 development of early christianity in rome 19 september...

19 September 2005 Early Christianity in Rome1

Development of Early Christianity in Rome

19 September 2005


Introduction

3 talks this Fall on Christianity in Rome– Roman Christianity in Time of Martyrs– Roman Christianity after Constantine– Roman Catholic Church During the Baroque

Motivation is TCC Pilgrimage in January Trying to bring the pilgrimage to broader

community


Outline

From Jerusalem to Rome Religion in Roman Life First Century Christian Confrontations in Rome

– Among Jews in Rome– Emperors Nero and Domitian– Roman Bishop (aka the Pope)

Roman Martyrs and the catacombs Why do we call ourselves Roman Catholic?


From Jerusalem to Rome

Jesus, the apostles and the first members of the Christian community were all Jews; almost all Jews from the Roman province of Palestine (Judea, Galilee, Samaria)

Missionary zeal led the apostles, especially Peter and Paul to evangelize Jews outside of Palestine

In so doing, they also evangelized Gentiles


First Century Judaism


Luke-Acts

Tells the story of how Christianity spread from Jerusalem (more precisely, the Temple) to Rome

– Starts with Zechariah in Temple– Ends with Paul preaching in Rome

Gives the history of Paul’s missionary journeys (and Peter’s)

Describes ‘Council of Jerusalem’ which settles the ‘Gentile’ question

– Did you have to be a good Jew to be a Christian?– Paul, Peter, James the Brother of the Lord


Paul’s Letter to Romans

Longest and theologically his most important letter Most carefully thought-out and ‘systematic’

– A letter which introduces Paul to the Christian community in Rome

– Addresses the theology of Judaism and Christianity and relation to each other

The Christians in Rome before Paul– Jews living in Rome– Associated with James and Peter– Perhaps a bit suspicious of Paul


Christian-Jews and non-Christian Jews in First Century Rome

During reign of Emperor Claudius (41-54) In 50 AD Claudius expels all Jews from

Rome According to Seutonius,

– “since the Jews were continually making disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he [Emperor Claudius] expelled them from Rome.” Life of Claudius xxv.4


Christians and Jews in Rome

Jews allowed back into Rome after Claudius dies, stepson Nero (Emperor 54-68) becomes Emperor

Jews in Rome who believe in Christ are becoming increasingly distinct from Jews who do not

– Great Fire in Rome– First Roman-Jewish War in Palestine; 66-73; destruction of

Temple in 70– Increased number of Gentiles joining Christianity


Nero and Great Fire

In an era of megalomaniacs, Nero was the head of the class Wanted to build a huge home for himself (Domus Aurea, Golden

House) He may, or may not, have actually set the fire, but certainly used its

aftermath to greatly expand his person home Romans, up in arms, force Nero to place blame somewhere; he settles

on Christians– Persecution limited to Christians in Rome– Probably Paul and Peter died during this– Reputed to have used some Christians for living torches– Contemporary historian, Tacitus (no friend of Christians), condemns Nero

for this Early burial place for Christians: Vatican Hill


Map of Ancient Rome


After Nero

After Nero is murdered, Vespasian, his general in Palestine, becomes Emperor

Vespasian destroys much of the Domus Aureus, and establishes peace

– Builds the Coliseum on part of grounds of Domus Aurea

His son, Domitian, however is more like Nero

Domitian is paranoid and harbors broad suspicions of almost everyone; including Christians

– Book of Revelation may be referring to persecution fo both Nero and Domitain

Domitian is murdered in 98


Life of Early Roman Christians

Most Christians were Greek-speaking foreigners (non-Roman citizens)

– But then, this describes the majority of the population of 1st and 2nd C Rome

– Christians lived in the area of Rome where most foreigners lived in large apartment buildings

– A few highly placed Roman officials were converts Christians organized themselves into ‘associations’

– Bishops, elders, deacons (Late 1st C)– Important Christian School in Rome (2nd C)


Bishop of Rome

Starts with Peter, then Linus, Cletus, Clement

We have two letters that Clement wrote to the Corinthians

– Written c. 97– Written in response to a request by

Corinthians– Clear indication of importance of

Roman Church Clement is associated with the

Basilica of San Clemente St. Clement died a martyr during

Domitian’s persecutions


Martyrdom

Sporadic and local– In 250 and 303 there were Empire-wide persecutions, during period of

economic and political unrest – Usually focused on church leadership– Roman authorities usually gave every opportunity for accused Christians to

recant Non-Roman citizens convicted of being Christians were condemned to

death– Mines, ship rowers, entertainment in arenas– Bishop Ignatius of Antioch, d. in Rome (probably Coliseum) c. 110– Roman citizens convicted of being Christian were beheaded (Paul)

Romans loved watching blood sports– Gladiators– Animal fights– Mock sea battles– Gruesome death of convicts


Martyrs and the Christian Community

Christians considered martyrs the heroes of the faith– Martyr is Greek for witness– Did not have to die to be a martyr

Martyrs popularly believed to be able to forgive sins

Burial place of martyrs places of great homage


Catacombs

Built into volcanic rock that surrounds Rome

Used as burial site for many groups, not just Christians

Some of the earliest Christian art is found in catacombs


Excavations Under St. Peter’s

Racecourse and small arena in area of Vatican Hill

St. Peter martyred and buried in catacombs there

Recently excavated Burial place for pagans,

Christians, Jews Located under the Basilica


So Why Are We Roman Catholic

Rome: a particular place Catholic: Greek for universal, world-wide Roman reflects

– importance of bishops in line of succession from Apostles; most especially Bishop of Rome

– Our Church order, discipline, liturgy centered in Rome

Catholic because faith is open to all everywhere


Next Month

Constantine Early Byzantine Rome Medieval Rome

19 september 2005early christianity in rome 1 development of early christianity in rome 19 september...

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