When Jesus Became God
The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome
Published in August 2000
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-15-601315-4 (ISBN)
Description
"A splendidly dramatic story... Rubenstein has turned one of the great fights of history into an engrossing story." -- Jack Miles, Boston Globe; author of God: A Biography.
The life of Jesus, and the subsequent persecution of Christians during the Roman Empire, have come to define what many of us know about early Christianity. The fervent debate, civil strife, and bloody riots as Christianity was coming into being, however, is a side of ancient history rarely described.
Richard E. Rubenstein takes the reader to the streets of fourth-century Rome, when a fateful debate over the divinity of Jesus Christ is being fought. Ruled by a Christian emperor, followers of Jesus no longer fear for the survival of their monotheistic faith. But soon they break into two camps regarding the direction of their worship: Is Jesus the son of God and therefore not the same as God? Or is Jesus precisely God on Earth and therefore equal to Him?
With thorough historical, religious, and social research, Rubenstein vividly recreates one of the most critical moments in the history of religion.
The life of Jesus, and the subsequent persecution of Christians during the Roman Empire, have come to define what many of us know about early Christianity. The fervent debate, civil strife, and bloody riots as Christianity was coming into being, however, is a side of ancient history rarely described.
Richard E. Rubenstein takes the reader to the streets of fourth-century Rome, when a fateful debate over the divinity of Jesus Christ is being fought. Ruled by a Christian emperor, followers of Jesus no longer fear for the survival of their monotheistic faith. But soon they break into two camps regarding the direction of their worship: Is Jesus the son of God and therefore not the same as God? Or is Jesus precisely God on Earth and therefore equal to Him?
With thorough historical, religious, and social research, Rubenstein vividly recreates one of the most critical moments in the history of religion.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Australia
Illustrations
1 map
Dimensions
Height: 204 mm
Width: 136 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
304 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-15-601315-4 (9780156013154)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Richard E. Rubenstein
When Jesus Became God
The Epic Fight over Christ's Divinity in the Last Days of Rome
E-Book
04/2018
1st Edition
Mariner Books
from
€40.99
Available for download
Person
RICHARD E. RUBENSTEIN is professor of conflict resolution and public affairs at George Mason University and an expert on religious conflict. A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School, he was a Rhodes Scholar and studied at Oxford University. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia.