Development of Early Christianity in Rome

Development of Early Christianity in Rome 19 September 2005 Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

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? Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

First Century Judaism Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

Map of Ancient Rome Early Christianity in Rome

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 After Nero Early Christianity in Rome

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) Early Christianity in 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 Bishop of Rome Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

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 Catacombs Early Christianity in Rome

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 Excavations Under St. Peter’s Early Christianity in Rome

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 Early Christianity in Rome

Next Month • Constantine • Early Byzantine Rome • Medieval Rome Early Christianity in Rome

Development of Early Christianity in Rome