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Title: When Jesus Became God: The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome by Richard E. Rubenstein ISBN: 0-15-601315-0 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 10 July, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.55 (38 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Interesting perspective of a complicated time in church hist
Comment: Richard Rubenstein delves into the complicated Arian heresy of the 4th century and writes a readable account of the times and personalities that were part of Roman and church history. Rubenstein does not always quote from letters or council documents at times when the quotation seems critical, but he summarizes well. One criticism I would have is that he develops ten chapters very well, but the last seems to be hurried, like the climax in a novel that the author is rushing to after making painstaking plot developments. Overall I believe that Rubenstein does a good job explaining the context of Roman history in which Constantine was trying to unify the empire through a unifying religion. To today's perspective it may seem that the riots which occurred over phrases, even a single word, that makes such a fine distinction, were extreme.
For those who read this book to find out how Jesus became God, they will discover it had to do the Nicene Council. This does not answer how Jesus actually did become God. As a historian, Runbenstein does not deal with this from faith. This faith is what caused the riots, the murders, the excommunications and eventually the split between not only the eastern and western Roman empires, but also between the eastern and western churches. One wonders how this is a work of God - from the faith perspective.
Reading this book can help to explain how today's broad spectrum of religious faiths can both unify and divide the world. Still Constantine, Constantius and others probably could name make any other decisions than they did. The complexity of conscience and political realities as well as raw survival is very hard to determine. People so the best they can.
Rating: 5
Summary: Religious history for the curious layperson
Comment: This is the story of how the Trinity became doctrine...and no, it wasn't always that way. Anyone curious about how the Church devised and adapted its understanding of the relationship between Jesus & God should read this book, which is lively and compelling.
I had the misfortune (?) to read this while the Gore/Bush post-electoral battle was raging in Florida. It was hilarious to realize that the political power plays, ad hominem attacks and media ploys of modern day politics were used in abundance by 4th century bishops and churchmen....all in the name of various, subtle doctrinal battles over Jesus' divinity and humanity. I found myself longing for a sequel, since the debate over the Arian heresy was a big factor in the eventual schism between the eastern and western churches.
Rating: 5
Summary: A useful history of how the Athanasian heresy was forced in.
Comment: Well, this book was certainly worth paying the small amount for.
An excellant historical examination of how Athanasius and others forced the heresy of Trinitarianism into the Church (thus inflicting Christianity with a 'self inflicted wound' for many centuries to come) by the use of violence and politics rather than the "Back to the Bible" approach of critical analysis of the Bible text.
It seems that a lot of history has been ignored/forgotten/erased by the church, as I'd:
a) never heard of the Council of Rimini/Sileucia and the other councils which resulted in the adoption of Arian creeds.
and
b) wasnt aware of the scandolous methods used to bring about the false doctrine of the Trinity.
It's quite a contrast to the cosy history usually put forward by many Trinitarians:
a) Council of Nicea - Jesus declared to be God.
b) Council of Constantinople - Holy Spirit declared to be God.
... and totally ignore everything that came between.
Good work there Mr Rubenstein =)
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