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Why on Earth Did Anyone Become a Christian in the First Three Centuries?
The consequences of becoming a Christian in the early Christian movement is set apart from that move from any other religious affiliation. You could become a Mithraist or Isiac or whatever, and it made no difference to your previous religious activities and loyalties. You continued to take part in the worship of your inherited deities of household, city, nation. If you became a Christian you were expected to desist from worship of all other deities. The ubiquitous place of the gods in all spheres of social and political activity made that difficult, and made for potentially serious consequences if you did desist. Indeed, it made it difficult to know how you could function socially and politically (to use our terminology). This book explores the growth of adherents to early Christianity; that all across this early period people became adherents of Christianity in the face of the costs and consequences of doing so.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published April 5, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 8, 2023
I highly recommend this book!
October 26, 2017
First of all, anyone picking up this little book needs to recognize that Hurtado's title poses a rhetorical question, one which he only begins to answer in a very tentative way. In some ways, this book/lecture is a defence of the question rather than an exposition on possible answers.
That being said, this is an excellent, if brief, overview of the spread of Christianity during the first three centuries, taking into account the physical, political, social, and cultural costs/consequences of becoming a Christian. It is well worth the read for anyone interested in the faith and life of early Christians.
That being said, this is an excellent, if brief, overview of the spread of Christianity during the first three centuries, taking into account the physical, political, social, and cultural costs/consequences of becoming a Christian. It is well worth the read for anyone interested in the faith and life of early Christians.
December 9, 2018
Hurtado asks a different question. He asks not, “How did Christianity grow?” Which is oriented to the macro, but “Why did anyone become a Christian?” Which is oriented toward the individual and his reasons.
The question is interesting because of the unique challenges of becoming and being a Christian in the first three centuries and yet the geographical coverage, diverse membership, and remarkable numerical growth during this time.
The cost and consequences of being a Christian were, as Hurtado divides them, along the lines of “social” and “political/judicial.”
Political cost were first absorbed by the Christian leaders but later felt by the lay person as well, beginning with Nero’s evil plot against them. A Christian could be put to death simply on the accusation of being a Christian or refusing to call Caesar lord and offer incense. The threat to Christians’ lives pervaded the three centuries even when martyrdom was not being efficiently carried out.
Social cost refers to how friends, family, and associates negatively treated Christians because of their convictions. Enduring hostility was the call of the Christian. The reasons for the hostility was due to the pervasive relevance of the traditional gods to the daily life within the empire and the Christian’s refusal to show reverence, which was idolatry in their eyes. Rituals were part and parcel of life in the Roman world, whether in houses over dinner or at public events there were rituals one must do to honor both the idol and the person hosting.
Many Christians lapsed under combination of these challenges and the temptation to apostatize was very real.
So why did a person become a Christian? Hurtado, argues, that simply they thought being a Christian was worth it despite these consequences. Paul in a variety of places demonstrates this kind of reasoning. For example, in Philippians he lists his previous boasts and then considers them “dung” compared to gaining Christ.
So what was it about Christianity (that could not be found in the many optional associations available at the time with none of the cost)? Hurtado points in two directions. First, the concept of a loving God, which was different from what scholars have dubbed “pagan monotheism” in the ancient world (the god behind the gods). Second, eternal life, and specifically the resurrection. A loving God was attractive initially but eternal life was an acquired desire once the option became available.
The question is interesting because of the unique challenges of becoming and being a Christian in the first three centuries and yet the geographical coverage, diverse membership, and remarkable numerical growth during this time.
The cost and consequences of being a Christian were, as Hurtado divides them, along the lines of “social” and “political/judicial.”
Political cost were first absorbed by the Christian leaders but later felt by the lay person as well, beginning with Nero’s evil plot against them. A Christian could be put to death simply on the accusation of being a Christian or refusing to call Caesar lord and offer incense. The threat to Christians’ lives pervaded the three centuries even when martyrdom was not being efficiently carried out.
Social cost refers to how friends, family, and associates negatively treated Christians because of their convictions. Enduring hostility was the call of the Christian. The reasons for the hostility was due to the pervasive relevance of the traditional gods to the daily life within the empire and the Christian’s refusal to show reverence, which was idolatry in their eyes. Rituals were part and parcel of life in the Roman world, whether in houses over dinner or at public events there were rituals one must do to honor both the idol and the person hosting.
Many Christians lapsed under combination of these challenges and the temptation to apostatize was very real.
So why did a person become a Christian? Hurtado, argues, that simply they thought being a Christian was worth it despite these consequences. Paul in a variety of places demonstrates this kind of reasoning. For example, in Philippians he lists his previous boasts and then considers them “dung” compared to gaining Christ.
So what was it about Christianity (that could not be found in the many optional associations available at the time with none of the cost)? Hurtado points in two directions. First, the concept of a loving God, which was different from what scholars have dubbed “pagan monotheism” in the ancient world (the god behind the gods). Second, eternal life, and specifically the resurrection. A loving God was attractive initially but eternal life was an acquired desire once the option became available.
January 5, 2020
Why did people become Christians when it meant severe social and political costs? This very scholarly lecture first shows that many people from many ways of life and from a large geographical area did that. He then convincingly shows that they did this at a huge political and social cost. Did they do this because of belief in miracles? Other groups of people were also believing in miracles. Did they do this because of concern for widows and orphans and care for the needy? Other groups were also concerned about these things and were not so heavily persecuted. Was it because they desired close relationships with other people? Community? There were other communities that could be joined.
Why? And isn't this an important question?
He does not have a definitive answer. He has a couple of ideas. The pagan gods do not love you back. Jesus does. The pagan gods do not offer eternal life and resurrection, unless you are very rich or very spiritual, but that wasn't something that they thought they needed. But perhaps that's it.
This lecture is certainly worth a Sunday afternoon of contemplation!
"For it is clear to me that early Christian Allegiance was not solely acceptance of a set of beliefs intellectually considered, but involved also the affective and inter-personal impact of those beliefs"
(p 132)
Why? And isn't this an important question?
He does not have a definitive answer. He has a couple of ideas. The pagan gods do not love you back. Jesus does. The pagan gods do not offer eternal life and resurrection, unless you are very rich or very spiritual, but that wasn't something that they thought they needed. But perhaps that's it.
This lecture is certainly worth a Sunday afternoon of contemplation!
"For it is clear to me that early Christian Allegiance was not solely acceptance of a set of beliefs intellectually considered, but involved also the affective and inter-personal impact of those beliefs"
(p 132)
July 22, 2020
If you come to the book assuming the question in the title will be answered, or that even an attempt to be answer it will be given (a totally justifiable assumption), you will leave disappointed.
What Hurtado does instead, is to provide convincing evidence that it was truly costly on legal/political and social-cultural fronts to become a Christian in the first three centuries. His intention is not to answer the title’s question, but to present compelling evidence that gives rise to the question. In other words, Hurtado wants to say “since it is clear that it was immensely costly to become a Christian in the first three centuries, we should be asking why did so many choose to do so?”
The book ends with that question basically unanswered, and yet I was left with the overall feeling of the title: “geez, if it cost that much, why on earth did anyone become a Christian in the first three centuries?” Which I believe was Hurtado’s overall intention.
His goal is to make the reader see why the title is an extremely important question but one that has largely gone unasked in Christian history studies. He accomplishes the goal.
What Hurtado does instead, is to provide convincing evidence that it was truly costly on legal/political and social-cultural fronts to become a Christian in the first three centuries. His intention is not to answer the title’s question, but to present compelling evidence that gives rise to the question. In other words, Hurtado wants to say “since it is clear that it was immensely costly to become a Christian in the first three centuries, we should be asking why did so many choose to do so?”
The book ends with that question basically unanswered, and yet I was left with the overall feeling of the title: “geez, if it cost that much, why on earth did anyone become a Christian in the first three centuries?” Which I believe was Hurtado’s overall intention.
His goal is to make the reader see why the title is an extremely important question but one that has largely gone unasked in Christian history studies. He accomplishes the goal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2024
This little book is the text of a thought-provoking lecture given by Professor Hurtado at Marquette University in 2016. In the bulk of the lecture, he lays out the high social and political/judicial costs that people in the Roman world incurred when they chose to become Christians. Despite those costs, Christianity experienced rapid growth during its first three centuries, leading to the question in the title of the lecture.
In the last part of the lecture he proposes some possible answers, taking as a starting point Paul's testimony in Phil 3:4-16. Paul stated that he had given up high status in Judaism and endured persecution for the sake of (1) a close relationship with Jesus the Messiah; and (2) the promise of resurrection to eternal life. He urged Christians to stand fast in their faith for the same reasons.
Hurtado suggests that Christianity was a compelling option because of distinctive teachings unique to Judaism and Christianity, including (a) the existence of a Creator who is both all-powerful and all-loving and seeks a loving relationship with human beings; and (b) the promise of resurrection to eternal life cited by Paul.
In the last part of the lecture he proposes some possible answers, taking as a starting point Paul's testimony in Phil 3:4-16. Paul stated that he had given up high status in Judaism and endured persecution for the sake of (1) a close relationship with Jesus the Messiah; and (2) the promise of resurrection to eternal life. He urged Christians to stand fast in their faith for the same reasons.
Hurtado suggests that Christianity was a compelling option because of distinctive teachings unique to Judaism and Christianity, including (a) the existence of a Creator who is both all-powerful and all-loving and seeks a loving relationship with human beings; and (b) the promise of resurrection to eternal life cited by Paul.
June 11, 2019
Larry is refreshing as a Biblical historian in some regards because he turns the question people take for granted to allow historical data and the Scriptures of Christianity to elucidate a highly probably view of the risks involved in becoming a Christian with those first three centuries. Even though most skip to the idea that Constantine’s promulgation of Christianity as the empire’s religion, there is a need to listen to the biblical and documentation leading to this. Christians were problematic to an empire where deity worship was so fixed within every day life. It need not be understated that the socio-political allegiance to God and Jesus truly did make problems for early Christians trying to live peaceably yet convicted by there encounter with the God of the Gospel. One would be wise to draw minor parallel and encouragement that the socio-political allegiance to Jesus has been and still is costly.
August 26, 2018
In this short work, Hurtado asks the question that comprises the title: why would someone become a Christian in the first three centuries?
The work highlights the importance of the question in light of the political and social demands and costs that would have been involved with the decision. Using Christian NT writings, patristic sources, Roman historians, letters, and poets a solid case is made that there were "significant costs in terms of social and even political/judicial consequences." Costs that were not levied on adherants of any other religious/social groups (with perhaps there exception of the Jewish people).
What prompted people to join the group, and often remain committed to the community when faced with loss of jobs, families, property, and even life?
Unfortunately, this work does not seem to answer that question. Only encourage others to take up that task.
The work highlights the importance of the question in light of the political and social demands and costs that would have been involved with the decision. Using Christian NT writings, patristic sources, Roman historians, letters, and poets a solid case is made that there were "significant costs in terms of social and even political/judicial consequences." Costs that were not levied on adherants of any other religious/social groups (with perhaps there exception of the Jewish people).
What prompted people to join the group, and often remain committed to the community when faced with loss of jobs, families, property, and even life?
Unfortunately, this work does not seem to answer that question. Only encourage others to take up that task.
September 26, 2020
Excellent book/lecture, clearly proposed and throughly examined. I felt this fit well with R. Alan Streett’s, “Subversive Meals,” which I read earlier this month.
While scholarly, there is a clear pastoral element to this book. Hurtado concludes that early Christianity spread, in part, through the equality and acceptance the Christians showed each other and the message of a loving God. You could easily ask, “Why on earth would anyone become a Christian in the 21st Century?” and arrive at the same answers.
While scholarly, there is a clear pastoral element to this book. Hurtado concludes that early Christianity spread, in part, through the equality and acceptance the Christians showed each other and the message of a loving God. You could easily ask, “Why on earth would anyone become a Christian in the 21st Century?” and arrive at the same answers.
December 19, 2022
Easy read, concise and filled with great information. Larry Hurtado is one of my favorite writers and scholars. His book Destroyer of the Gods was awesome and this book is as well. I love this question as I believe it is still pertinent. Hurtado doesn't go super in depth but does give an overview of what was happening culturally and religiously around Christians and what the culture was like. His answer may disappoint some looking for a super detailed analysis but I think Hurtado's conclusion is more than sufficient. If you want more detail check out his other books on Jesus devotion.
April 16, 2024
A short but worthwhile overview of the serious costs of joining the early church: potentially severe social ostracism and risk of persecution.
The book basically sets up the point that there must have been something extreme to make people become christians in the early church - it doesn't do much to say what that thing may have been beyond suggesting that perhaps people found the message of a Loving God or an open offer of Eternal Life (both unusual in the culture) attractive.
The book basically sets up the point that there must have been something extreme to make people become christians in the early church - it doesn't do much to say what that thing may have been beyond suggesting that perhaps people found the message of a Loving God or an open offer of Eternal Life (both unusual in the culture) attractive.
May 10, 2018
While I read and learned a lot from this historical study of the "costs" of becoming a Christian in the first three centuries, others that read it on my recommendation did not find it compelling or even well written. I like it!
April 19, 2023
Amazing book by an apologist. It really asks good questions about why people did what they did in regards to Christianity in the first 300 years after Christ’s death. They were persecuted and looked down upon. It was a really good book and a quick read. God Bless.
4.5/5
4.5/5
December 30, 2024
Great short read that presents the problems facing early Christians. It spends only a few pages on possible reasons someone might have chosen Christianity - I wish it would have spent a bit more time on that.
August 27, 2025
3.75 stars. The book dives into the title question. It was more of a scholarly essay than a book . Short read, though more made a case of why people didn’t become Christians as it was so difficult.
August 2, 2019
Great little book. An eye-opener to discover what it really was like for the Christian in the first 3 centuries.
February 21, 2020
120 pages describing hostilities toward early Christians, 20 pages theorizing motives for said conversions. So not really what I signed up for...
December 10, 2023
Lays out a solid and convincing case that the title question is an important one, which has not been directly addressed in scholarship. Does not attempt to answer the question in any thorough way.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews