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Christianity was born from Roman manipulation of Jewish religious ideals during their occupation of Judea in the
first century CE. Navigate through the topics on the left to investigate historical references and download a
free journal paper. Each topic provides information on how ancient Rome used Jewish
cultural precepts to work in their favor, rather than as a driving force of resistance, inadvertently resulting in the birth of
Christianity. Historical aspects, rather than traditional theological views are presented and summarized below.
- The birth of Christianity arose amidst impassioned conflict between Roman and Jewish cultures.
- Early Christian texts reflect obedience towards paying taxes to Rome and acceptance of tax
collectors within their fold.
- Early Christian texts reflect submissiveness to oppression; turn the other
cheek, love your enemies, blessed are the meek, the peacemakers - promoting obedience towards Roman occupation.
- Christian teachings were significantly different from Judean culture, even
critical of the Mosaic Law and Jewish authorities.
- Early Christian texts used the term Gospel in nearly identical fashion to Roman use prior to
Christianity.
- The concept of deity in human form and being the son of a god, conceived from a virgin birth, existed in
Roman culture prior to Christianity, and was likely a source for shaping the early Christian
movement.
- Many of the documented miracles (such as feeding 5,000 people in remote areas) would have required
logistics of an organization with significant funding and planning.
- The Jewish people endured oppression during the Roman occupation.
- The Jewish culture was shaped by centuries of rejection of outside influences and/or alterations to their religious doctrine.
- Jesus’ teachings differed radically from traditional Jewish culture.
- Jesus was very critical of Jewish religious authorities; those who maintained, studied, and taught the books of Hebrew
Scripture. His criticism was well in line with Roman goals to undermine Jewish resistance.
- The Jewish people and a Jewish court condemned Jesus to death, not Roman authority.
- Jesus is never documented as being critical of Roman authority.
- In the Gospels, Roman authority is never documented as being critical of Jesus.
- The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, argued profusely in defense of what was supposedly a Jewish
peasant (Jesus) in an open public forum in front of an angry mob.
- Jesus spent relatively little time on the cross (6 hours) in contrast to typical crucifixion victims who spent many agonizing
days before death.
- The written accounts of the crucifixion mention nothing about nails being used.
- The earliest Jesus narratives (the first three Gospels) mention no form of physical violence against
Jesus while he was on the cross. Much later texts (the Gospel of John) describe physical violence not recorded in the earlier texts.
- Written accounts state Jesus appeared live after the Roman 'execution' and may be the reason
the Jesus movement did not die then and there. Appearing live afterward is not resurrection from death (which is impossible). It
means not dying on the cross, which suggests clandestine Roman involvement.
- Roman soldiers stood guard at Jesus’ tomb.
- One of the only written accounts of Jesus being referred to as the Son of God comes from a
Roman centurion.
- Jesus referred to a centurion as having the greatest faith in all Israel.
- Why did Christian ideology spread so quickly to Rome? Is it possible that Christianity
had its basis in Roman ideals rather than Jewish theology?
- A primary source of the fervent Jewish resistance to the Roman occupation was religious
ideals and Holy Covenant with God.
- Was Christianity born of human conflict between the imperialism of the Roman Empire and the self-perceived entitlement of the
ancient Jewish culture? Is Christianity a result of Roman attempts to manipulate religious forces in Judea? Navigate through the
topics on the left to learn more.
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