When Jesus Became God

by Rubenstein, Richard E.

• ISBN13: 9780156013154
• ISBN10: 0156013150
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780547350967
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Mariner Books

Summary

The story of Jesus is well known, as is the story of Christian persecutions during the Roman Empire. The history of fervent debate, civil strife, and bloody riots within the Christian community as it was coming into being, however, is a side of ancient history rarely described. Richard E. Rubenstein takes the reader to the streets of the Roman Empire during the fourth century, 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 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? The vicious debate is led by two charismatic priests. Arius, an Alexandrian priest and poet, preaches that Jesus, though holy, is less than God. Athanasius, a brilliant and violent bishop, sees any diminution of Jesus' godhead as the work of the devil. Between them stands Alexander, the powerful Bishop of Alexandria, who must find a resolution that will keep the empire united and the Christian faith alive. With thorough historical, religious, and social research, Rubenstein vividly recreates one of the most critical moments in the history of religion.

Author Biography

Richard E. Rubenstein is a professor of Conflict Resolution and Public Affairs at George Mason University, where he specializes in religious conflict

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xvii
An Incident in Alexandria	1	(21)
The Silence of Apollo	22	(26)
A Quarrel in God's House	48	(20)
The Great and Holy Council	68	(21)
Sins of the Body, Passions of the Mind	89	(19)
The Broken Chalice	108	(18)
Death in Constantinople	126	(22)
East against West	148	(21)
The Arian Empire	169	(23)
Old Gods and New	192	(19)
When Jesus Became God	211	(22)
Principal Characters	233	(4)
Select Bibliography of Works in English	237	(4)
Notes	241	(16)
Index	257