The history of the Christian religion and the Christian church began with Jesus and his apostles.Christianity is the religion that is based on the birth, life, death, resurrection and teaching of Jesus Christ. The first important factor that contributed to the downfall of the Roman Empire is the introduction of Christianity. To the IV century Christianity from the religions of the oppressed becomes the state religion of the Roman Empire, as described in Christianity and the … Key Takeaways Key Points. Perhaps the most important influennce that Roman Empire had on Christianity was its unity. Justin Taylor | Genesology. But Christianity did not become the Roman Empire’s official religion overnight. The early Christians tried to spread the religion, even if they were facing certain death. The society had to support various members of the Church hierarchy like monks, nuns, and hermits. People worshiped local gods, or the new Roman gods. But new religions were becoming popular, Judaism, Zosterism, Osiris, and Mithra's. Through out the majority of the … Special Issue: New Testament. In about 26 A.D. he began to preach, telling people that he was the son of God. Western Roman Empire: Christianity, as any monotheistic religion would, solidified the empire and would have probably given it 200-300 more years if accepted as state religion; but it wasn't, not in time. This grew out of his strategy for unifying his empire by creating a "catholic"—meaning universal —church that would blend elements from many religions into one.The "Christianity" Constantine endorsed was different from that practiced by Christ and the … Although, it is one of the latest religions of the planet, Christianity knows a vast history. Galerius issued an edict of toleration in 311, which granted Christians the right to practice their religion, but did not restore any taken property back to them. (1 point) Question 18 options: 1) He made Christianity legal. The Roman Empire Adopts Christianity. And then that gets even more momentum when we get to the end of the fourth century. In good years it was discriminated against; in bad years it was persecuted. Arguing that Christianity was responsible for the “Fall” of the Roman Empire is rather like arguing that all swans are white when you are unable to look outside St James’ Park. Christianity influenced the Roman Empire in different ways as well as the Roman Empire influenced Christianity. Dr David Gwynn, lecturer in ancient and late antique history at Royal Holloway, University of London, says that, alongside Christian and other pagan festivals, ‘the … Theodosius helped to ensure that Christianity was the Empire's unchallenged religion, and this was to shape Europe and the Near East for centuries. Former professor of sociology Dr. Alvin Schmidt notes Elwood Cubberly’s observation that the biblical teachings of Jesus Christ challenged “almost everything for which the Roman world had stood” (How Christianity Changed the World, Schmidt, p. 44). Before the civil war between Constantine and Licinius, the Edict of Milan was created in 313AD by the two emperors, effectively introducing Christianity as a legitimate and recognised religion. First, Christianity was able to change the Roman Empire through perseverance. Most historians refer to the Nicene church associated with emperors in a variety of ways: as the catholic church, the orthodox church, the imperial church, … The Roman Empire was based on trade, and had two common languages Latin and Greek. ROMAN CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY. 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