The Change of Conversion and the Origin of Christendom

by Alan Kreider

This book focuses on conversion and Christendom, and the relationship of one to the other. Alan Kreider helps readers think about the meaning of the word Christendom, its character and inner dynamics, arguing that methods of conversion produced Christendom. This study, then, examines Christendom as the product of conversion, the latter understood as changes within categories of belief, belonging, and behavior. "Kreider traces the changing nature of the process of conversion across some four centuries, rightly emphasizing that it does indeed change. He describes it through a careful, well-directed choice of liturgical, autobiographical, homiletic, and theological texts. I know of no better treatment of religious initiation undergone by the most seriously committed Christians of the second to sixth century." -- Ramsay MacMullen, Yale University "Written in a lively and clear manner, this small volume makes many connections between different aspects of early Christian history and practice. I have learned from reading it and recommend it to both scholars and beginners." -- Paul Bradshaw, University of Notre Dame Alan Kreider is Director of the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture, Regents Park College, Oxford.

Genres: History, Church History

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short book and an easy read. It is especially enjoyable if you haven't read a good bash of Constatinianism/Christendom in a while. Kreider's central argument is that in the early Church significant attention was given to proper catechetical instruction and the significant change required for converts to be considered converts. As time progresses, especially after the time of Constantine, conversion becomes less demanding, and easier. Thus, Kreider contends within the Post-Christendom world, the time is ripe for a recovery of early church practices surrounding conversion (i.e. catechesis, some liturgical practices, etc.).

I liked this book a lot. It was refreshing to read an early church historian with Anabaptist sensibilities because there is a certain amount of critical appropriation of the tradition (rather than blindly accepting the whole arc of doctrinal development). I also appreciated how much Kreider quotes source materials to build his case. I came away from this book interested in reading several patristic sources.

[Alex Strohschein · Rating 5 out of 5]

An indispensable and brief book on the contours of Christian conversion over the centuries leading up to the Christianization of Western Europe. Alan Kreider explores conversion and its stages in the writings of the Church Fathers and beyond into the early medieval period. Interestingly, exorcisms featured prominently in early conversions and Kreider contends it was only with St. Augustine of Hippo that infant baptism became more widely practiced.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading Kreider’s contribution to Constantine Revisited, I noticed that he had written this short book on the church’s changing conception of conversion over the first six centuries of Christian history. Kreider argues that the pre-Constantinian church differentiated itself from the non-Christian world by bringing its members through a rigorous process:

-evangelization

-catechesis that taught believers how to behave like Christians (interestingly, before they were considered fully a part of the Christian community) and give up careers considered to be sinful – including those, like soldiering, that involved killing

-enlightenment in Christian beliefs in preparation for baptism

-administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper to new converts, which meant that they belonged to the Christian community (in the 300s, mystagogy was added as a stage that explained baptism and the Lord’s Supper)

Kreider argues that the conversion of Constantine that brought more members and a new relationship with the empire meant that the church struggled to teach distinctive beliefs, behavior, and belonging to its members.

From a historical perspective, it’s a fascinating study. It does raise some questions, though. What would have been the right way to handle Constantine and the increased numbers? How were children of believers handled with this model in place? Does participation in government really always mean participation in “the world” in a sinful sense?

[Bicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting review of how Christians taught. Some points I'd like to remember:
--In the first century, they did not evangelize. They kept things as secret as possible in fear of persecution. They also examined a person's life before teaching them, to determine if they would be "able to hear."
--Once Constantine became a Christian and Christianity was legal, Augustine notes fewer miraculous events took place.
--In the medieval and renaissance periods, "Christendom," was established. Christianity became powerful politically, and connected to the state and the papacy. Christian belief was culturally expected; even demanded. Baptism was required of all infants, and church tithes were required by the state. Non-Christian beliefs and practices were suppressed, and in some periods, Non-Christians were significantly persecuted through wars and even genocide. This has left deep wounds on society that are still felt centuries later, as Christianity continues to be associated with abuse of power.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A succinct exploration of the way in which conversion was understood and approached in the early church.

While psychologists and sociologists have applied their own methods to study the phenomenon of conversion, I prefer this author's historical method: letting the primary sources speak for themselves.

Covering different episodes of the early church's development in the Roman empire, the author compares the relative importance of a new convert's belief, behavior, and rituals of belonging. He concludes that the process of conversion was much more robust and multifaceted in its first few centuries than it was during times of Christendom.

[Jack Mohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for Anabaptist Theology class, I didn’t know much at all about the 1st-4th century church before reading this book. I thought the discussion of importance of behavior vs importance of belief was especially interesting.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good summary of early church conversion process. Stages of curiosity, exploration, welcome, preparation, baptism and continued formation.

[Aidan Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very worthwhile thought-provoking resource on the histoty of where we find ourselves in the church/world relationship and what will be necessary for formation and conversion going forward.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting little book detailing how conversion and the process of making disciples changed in the time period immediately following Christ's ascencion through the coming of Christendom. The author goes on to consider the implications for these changes now in a time period of the dismantling of Christendom.

[Julia Gaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history. A little dry.