Synopsis
A thoroughly researched and vivid re-creation of one of the most critical periods in the history of Western religion
The life of Jesus, and the subsequent persecution of Christians during the Roman Empire, have come to define what many of us know about early Christianity. The fervent debate, civil strife, and bloody riots within the Christian community as it was forming, however, is a story that is rarely told. Richard E. Rubenstein takes readers to the streets of the Roman Empire during the fourth century, where a divisive argument over the divinity of Jesus Christ was underway. Ruled by a Christian emperor, followers of Jesus no longer feared for the survival of their monotheistic faith, but they found themselves in different camps-led by two charismatic men-on the topic of Christian theology. Arius, an Alexandrian priest and poet, preached that Jesus, though holy, is less than God, while Athanasius, a brilliant and violent bishop, saw any diminution of Jesus' godhead as the work of the devil. Between them stood Alexander, the powerful Bishop of Alexandria, in search of a solution that would keep the empire united and the Christian faith alive.
Review
The Gospel narratives may suggest that Jesus was divine, but they do not insist upon it. Hundreds of years after Jesus' death, the Church councils made Jesus' divinity a central tenet of belief among many of his followers. When Jesus Became God: The Epic Fight over Christ's Divinity in the Last Days of Rome by Richard Rubenstein is a narrative history of Christians' early efforts to define Christianity by convening councils and writing creeds. Rubenstein is most interested in the battle between Arius, Presbyter of Alexandria, and Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria. Arius said that Christ did not share God's nature but was the first creature God created. Athanasius said that Christ was fully God. At the Council of Nicea in 325, the Church Fathers came down on Athanasius's side and made Arius's belief a heresy.
Rubenstein's brisk, incisive prose brings the councils' 4th-century Roman setting fully alive, with riots, civil strife, and spectacular public debates. Rubenstein is also personally invested in the meaning of these councils for religious life today: he wrote this book, in part, because he grew up in a mixed Jewish Catholic neighborhood and was bewildered by animosity between the religious groups on his block. Digging back in history, Rubenstein learns that before the Arian controversy, "Jews and Christians could talk to each other and argue among themselves about crucial issues like the divinity of Jesus.... They disagreed strongly about many things, but there was still a closeness between them." But when the controversy was settled, Rubenstein notes, "that closeness faded. To Christians, God became a Trinity and heresy became a crime. Judaism became a form of infidelity. And Jews living in Christian countries learned not to think very much about Jesus and his message." --Michael Joseph Gross
"This book is a great theological adventure finely told. When Jesus Became God takes the contemporary conversation about Jesus of Nazareth beyond the New Testament period. Richard Rubenstein has a vivid historical and theological imagination and understands that theology is often political and works through the muddle and mess of human history."
* Alan Jones, Dean of Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, and author of The Soul's Journey
"An exciting book! Richard Rubenstein has taken the ancient conflict in Christian history between Arius and Athanasius and has given it the brilliance of modern journalistic coverage. In the process he enlightens us about the nature and destructiveness, to say nothing of the roots, of those dark places in our contemporary history where far too often religious convictions are expressed in terms of hate, murder, ethnic cleansing and even warfare."
* The Most Reverend John Shelby Spong, Bishop of Newark and author of Why Christianity Must Change or Die
When Jesus Became God
“[A] panoramic view of early Christianity as it developed against the backdrop of the Roman Empire of the fourth century” (Publishers Weekly). 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 soon, they 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’s 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. “A splendidly dramatic story . . . Rubenstein has turned one of the great fights of history into an engrossing story.” —Jack Miles, The Boston Globe; author of God: A Biography
The story of Jesus is well known, as is the story of Christian persecutions during the Roman Empire."
The Rise of Christianity: History, Documents, and Key Questions
An outstanding resource for high school readers and first-year college students, this book explores early Christianity from its beginnings in the first century through the fourth century when Christianity went from a persecuted faith to the only legalized faith in the Roman Empire. • Provides readers with a broad understanding of early Christianity from the time of Jesus to the fall of Rome and an appreciation for how early Christian communities spread throughout the Empire • Examines a number of key topics that relate to the varied communities that made up early Christianity • Provides readers with multiple primary documents in order to better understand early Christianity and offer opportunities to apply their critical thinking skills • Supports NCHS World History content standards for Era 3, Standard 3B
We are also told that people would refuse to use the same toilet for fear of dying in the same way that Arius did. ... Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome ."
The Great Betrayal
In the view of many contemporary scholars, both Jesus and Judaism have been misrepresented by the church for the past two thousand years. Their main point is that Judaism was not a superficial, rigid, and outdated religion, and Jesus did not reject it. In fact, along with his disciples, he remained a Law-abiding Jew his entire life. However, as Christianity developed from a Jewish sect in the first century AD to the official religion of the Roman Empire in the fourth century, the church was transformed, Jesus was redefined, and both Jews and their religion were repudiated and marginalized. In short, both Christians and Jews were deeply affected by what many scholars now call the de-Judaization of Jesus. This book is an attempt to correct the traditional theological and scholarly misinterpretations of Jesus and Judaism that emerged over the first four centuries of the life of the church.
rostovtzeff, M. The Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire. New york: Oxford University Press, 1957. rubenstein , richard e . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome ."
Help My Unbelief!
Help My Unbelief! is for a small but growing number of Christians who are asking critical questions about their faith, their church’s history, and the Bible. Around the 60s CE doubts arose as tensions within Judaism escalated, questions about Jesus and his delayed return were voiced, and Roman persecutions intensified. Jesus was one of a number of itinerant preachers, miracle-workers, and insurrectionaries. What set him apart from others? Using the Gospel of Mark the author demonstrates that doubts existed within the early Christian community. Doubting Christians can take comfort that Mark addressed these issues then and thus provides a guide for living in today’s ever-questioning world of faith.
The Metamorphoses, edited with an introduction and notes by Robert Squillace; transl. frank Justus Miller. new york: ... Rubenstein , Richard e . ... When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome ."
Empire Baptized
Through a study of the early church, this book shows how Christianity in effect opted for the religion of empire, shifting the emphasis of Jesus's prophetic message from transforming the world to the aim of saving one's soul.
Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome . Orlando, FL: Mariner Books, 1999. Ruether, Rosemary Radford. “Augustine: Sexuality, Gender, and Women."
Finding the Roots of Christianity
Finding the Roots of Christianity is for people who are curious about the historical Jesus, his followers, and the movement they began. Who were they, and how was their message understood by those who heard them? Where did the New Testament of the Bible come from? In a personal, thoughtful style, Luke Painter brings into focus the life and times of the Jewish prophet Jesus of Nazareth, bridging the gap between personal study of the Bible and academic scholarship. Sources outside the Bible, including the ancient historian Josephus and recently discovered "lost scriptures" such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, reveal the diversity of early Christian beliefs. Roman religious beliefs influenced how the Christian message was understood during the transition from Jewish sects to the official religion of the Roman Empire. Clear and concise, and based on careful historical research, this book guides the reader through what is known about the earliest origins of Christianity as well as recent discoveries and debates. The author's personal journey of faith and passionate interest in the people behind the New Testament enliven the facts of history, illuminating their meaning for their own time as well as today.
Rubenstein , Richard e . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome . harcourt, 1999. sanders, e.P. The Historical Figure of Jesus. London: allen Lane/Penguin, 1993. schaff, Phillip."
A Book of Evidence
Jesus was a Jew, living in a Jewish culture and under Jewish laws, laws that governed the people of Israel at a time of conflict with their Roman overlords. A Book of Evidence takes into consideration the history of first-century Jerusalem and is a unique presentation of the passion event, written from a Jewish legal standpoint. Find out why and how Jesus came to trial, how the politics of the age and a corrupt government played a role in bringing him to death. An examination of the numerous crimes of which Jesus was accused results in a reasonable explanation of the real blasphemy that caused him to be executed, and an investigation into "crucifixion" as it was known during first-century Jewish law. Was the Jewish trial legal? Was it a trial at all? Was there a Roman trial or a simple hearing? Where was the real execution site and burial tomb? All these questions are answered in this gripping book. Follow, step by step, along the path of Jesus during the Passover, from the Garden of Gethsemane, through the trials, to the brutality of the execution, and on to the garden tomb at Bethphage from which he was resurrected!
Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God , The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome . San diego, new York, and London: Harcourt, inc., 1999. Ryrie, charles caldwell. A Survey of Bible Doctrine. chicago: Moody ..."
God Against the Gods
"Lively… points out that the conflict between the worship of many gods and the worship of one true god never disappeared." —Publishers Weekly "Jonathan Kirsch has written another blockbuster about the Bible and its world." —David Noel Freedman, Editor-in-Chief of the Anchor Bible Project "Kirsch tackles the central issue bedeviling the world today - religious intolerance… A timely book, well-written and researched." —Leonard Shlain, author of The Alphabet and the Goddess and Sex, Time and Power "An intriguing read." —The Jerusalem Report "A timely tale about the importance of religious tolerance in today’s world." —San Francisco Chronicle "Kirsch is a fine storyteller with a flair for rendering ancient tales relevant and appealing." —The Washington Post
The History of the War Between Monotheism and Polytheism Jonathan Kirsch ... Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God. ... Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome ."
The Vedic Core of Human History
The origin of world civilization can be traced to the Indus Valley cradle, where brilliant and original thinkers made groundbreaking discoveries. The history of these discoveries is recorded in the vast Sanskrit literature. In this study, author M. K. Agarwal explores the cultural and historical significance of the region. He explores Indus Valley culture, which encouraged creative thought as opposed to the Abrahamic faiths, which herded followers into dogmatic thinking. He holds that these religions prospered because of their unfettered hatred of the Vedic-Hindu-Buddhist peoples, who were demonized as pagans to be murdered, tortured, raped, enslaved, and robbed. He also considers the achievements of that culture, such as the creation of the most affluent, most scientifically advanced, and most spiritual of all societies, with archeological moorings that can be traced back to 8000 BC. No other region can even come close to transforming people and culture like the Indus Valley, but the world's Vedic roots have been ignored, shunned, and covered up. Uncover the history that has been lost and develop a deeper appreciation for the true cradle of human civilization with The Vedic Core of Human History.
Rosenfield, J. M., The Dynastic Arts of the Kushans, Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1967. Rubenstein , Richard , E ., When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome , Harcourt, NY, 1999."
Finding Jesus: Faith. Fact. Forgery.
As featured in the 6-part CNN SERIES "Finding Jesus" FINDING JESUS explores six major artifacts, including the Shroud of Turin, the True Cross, and John the Baptist, that give us the most direct evidence about the life and world of Jesus. The book and attendant CNN series provide a dramatic way to retell "the greatest story ever told" while introducing a broad audience to the history, the latest controversies, and newest forensic science involved in sorting out facts from the fiction of would-be forgers and deceivers. The book and the show draw on experts from all over the world. Beyond the faithful, the book will also appeal to the skeptical and to curious readers of history and archaeology, while it takes viewers of the primetime TV series deeper into the story.
Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome . New York: Harcourt, 1999. Scavone, Daniel. “Besançon and Other Hypotheses for the Missing Years: The Shroud from 1200 to ..."
Arguing with God
The battle over the gay question continues, and its much more than a simple disagreement over sexual preference or orientation. Its an emotionally charged issue debated by politicians and preachers alike that threatens to topple the house of Christianity. In Arguing with God, author J. T. Hutcherson addresses relevant issues that spark the debate between Christian fundamentalists and homosexuals. Through a dialogue between friendsEli, an evangelical, fundamentalist Christian; and Jay, a religious liberal and former fundamentalist ChristianHutcherson offers an authentic discussion about God, religion, bigotry, and homosexuality. Arguing with God presents opposing perspectives on the issue of homosexuality and gives a clear portrait of the gap dividing the body of believers. Advance Praise for Arguing with God Hutcherson is a light in the spiritual and religious darkness. He offers an analytical offensivea loving and informed response to Christian fundamentalism. Using weapons of theological knowledge and mature discourse, he faces the ultimate challenge of The Other and gives answers to young Christians and adults estranged from the ordinary. He not only finds a place for himself, but becomes a model for all those disenfranchised and criticized the world around. Charles K. Bunch, PhD, Author and Transpersonal Therapist
A Dialogue: Fundamentalist Christianity Versus the Gays J. T. Hutcherson. Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome . New York: Harcourt, 2000. Spong, John Shelby."
Freeing God from Religion
If you tend to shake your head when you read religious literature, please read this book. I invite being disagreed with; I welcome debate and do not object to being told I am wrong. The question remains: Who has the right religion? Despite being an octogenarian when presumably all should be settled and nailed down, I now challenge the theology I nodded to so vigorously in a previous time of my life. What I once assumed as truth is now open to the kind of tough scrutiny I had never dared engage in. My theological life scripts were deeply rooted and beyond challenge. Born and raised in a fundamentalist Mennonite conservative evangelical community, doubting and questioning were considered acts of sin. Even though we were good ethical people, we were repaganized every year by visiting English speaking evangelists and getting saved was an annual event. I know; I did it three times before I was fifteen. I include a simple caveat. Once you start critiquing and investigating your beliefs, even the most cherished, you will find that you cannot go back. The very act of questioning intensifies the importance of the question. Millions of books exist about God; every book written by a human being (mostly men). Over twenty five miles of shelves with books about God are in the archives under the Vatican. I had fifteen shelves with many books that talk about God.
Ricoeur, Paul (Translated by Dennis Savage); FREUD: PHILOSOPHY, AN ESSAY ON INTERPRETATION. ... Rubenstein , Richard E .; WHEN JESUS BECAME GOD : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the last days of Rome ; Harcourt Inc., N.Y.,1999."
The Secret Legacy of Jesus
Shows how the true teachings of Jesus were passed down through the centuries and shaped the vision of the Founding Fathers • Reveals for the first time the hidden link that connects James the Brother, Islam, the Cathars, the Knights Templar, and Freemasonry • Shows how the Founding Fathers used these teachings enshrined in Masonic principles to build a new nation With the success of Paul’s desire to impose his vision for the Church, the true teachings of Jesus--as preserved by his family and disciples--were forced into hiding. This clandestine movement was evidenced by such early groups as the Nazarenes, Ebionites, and Elkesaites but is generally thought to have died out when the Church of Paul branded these groups as heretics. However, despite the ongoing persecution by the Roman Catholic orthodoxy, this underground Jewish strain of Christianity was able to survive and resist incorporation into its more powerful rival. Jeffrey Bütz, author of The Brother of Jesus and the Lost Teachings of Christianity, reveals for the first time the hidden theological link that connects James the Brother of Jesus and the Ebionites with the religion of Islam, the Cathars, the Knights Templar, and Freemasonry. In The Secret Legacy of Jesus, Bütz demonstrates how this centuries-old underground stream of Christ’s original teachings remained alive and how it surfaced again in Colonial America, where the Founding Fathers used Masonic principles rooted in Jewish Christian teachings to establish what they believed would be a “New Jerusalem.” With the rise of a fundamentalist Christianity, this potent spiritual vision was lost, but Bütz contends it can be recovered and used to bring about the reconciliation of Christians, Jews, and Muslims throughout the world.
Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome . San Diego: Harcourt, 1999. Runciman, Steven. The Medieval Manichee: A Study of Christian Dualist Heresy."
Early Controversies and the Growth of Christianity
This revealing history examines the controversies, maneuvering, and political wrangling that occupied the Christian Church for the first four centuries of its existence. • Maps of Paul's journeys, of the cities that Ignatius of Antioch visited, and of the Roman and Persian Empires • Photographs including Caravaggio's Conversion of Paul, the Chi-Rho symbol, the Arian Baptistry in Ravenna Italy, the Arch of Constantine, the Altar of Victory, and Van Dyck's Ambrose • An overall chronology and a separate chronology for each chapter
Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome . New York: Harcourt, 1999. CHAPTER 7 Freeman, Charles. AD 381: Heretics, Pagans, and the Christian State."
Have This Mind
Have This Mind uses a rational, logical, and systematic approach to spirituality, religion, and God by focusing on the mind or consciousness rather than doctrine, ritual, etc. It provides a model that resolves the many seemingly conflicting views of religion and God. The four largest religions of the world, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, are introduced in terms of their transformative dimensions that lead to an inclusive and eminently happy life. These principles and practices are illustrated with biographies of exemplary saints and sages from the traditions. Have This Mind outlines three different ways of being religious-regardless of one’s particular religious tradition-based on a progressively maturing mind. Of particular import to Christian readers are interpretations of biblical and theological views that facilitate transition from a traditional and mythic outlook tending toward exclusivism to one that is rational, transrational, and inclusive. On the basis of an appreciative and inclusive view of the world’s great religions, one discovers how these religions can actually enhance one’s own spirituality and religious outlook. A perspective central to Have This Mind is that authentic religion and spirituality lie in the loving quality of one’s life and not simply the ideas or beliefs held in one’s mind
Rubenstein , Richard e ., When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome . San Diego: Harcourt, Inc., 1999. Ryōmin, Akizuki, “Christian-Buddhist Dialogue,” Inter-Religio, no. 14 (Fall 1988)."
The Rabbi Saved by Hitler's Soldiers
When Hitler invaded Warsaw in the fall of 1939, hundreds of thousands of civilians were trapped in the besieged city. The Rebbe Joseph Schneersohn, the leader of the ultra-orthodox Lubavitcher Jews, was among them. When word of his plight went out, a group of American Jews initiated what would ultimately become one of the strangest—and most miraculous—rescues of World War II. And this is the incredible but true story that Bryan Mark Rigg tells in The Rabbi Saved by Hitler’s Soldiers. Amid the chaos and hell of the emerging Holocaust, a small group of German soldiers shepherded Rebbe Schneersohn and his Hasidic followers out of Poland. In the course of the daring escape—traveling by train to Berlin, rerouted to Latvia and Sweden, and carried by ship through U-boat-infested waters to America—the Rebbe would learn a shocking truth. The leader of the rescue operation, the decorated Wehrmacht soldier Ernst Bloch, was himself half-Jewish, and a victim of the rising tide of German anti-Semitism. Perhaps even more remarkable were the central roles of Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, head of the Nazi military intelligence service, and of Helmuth Wohlthat, chief administrator of Göring’s Four Year Plan. Pursuing every lead, amassing critical evidence, pulling together all the pieces of what could well be a political thriller, Rigg reconstructs the Rebbe’s improbable escape, and tells a harrowing story about identity and moral responsibility. His book is the definitive account of an extraordinary episode in the history of World War II.
Rubenstein , Richard. After Auschwitz: History, Theology, and Contemporary Judaism. Baltimore, 1992. Rubinstein, Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome . New York, 1999."
Living to Die, Dying to Live
Christianity is dying—in parts of the world it is already dead. Yet there is hope, but it will require radical surgery that many are unprepared to accept as necessary. The vast behemoth that calls itself institutional Christianity must die if the Jesus Movement upon which it was founded is to live. The essential message of the Christian gospel is that death leads to new life. Is Christianity ready to embrace this truth and die so that it can live?
An Exit Strategy for Institutional Christianity Michael W. Shirey ... Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time. ... Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome ."
Caesar Ate My Jesus
What the hell happened on the way to making the world a better place? We boomers were told our success would be unlimited. We had democracy and capitalism, and God was on our side. We took our religious teachings seriously, and set out to end bigotry, violence, and destitution. Inevitably, we collided with American Caesars, whose power and wealth was sufficient to dominate national and international affairs. Political and religious Caesars appropriated Jesus and used him to justify war, sexism, racism, dictatorships, and poverty. What were the faithful to do? Lots of boomers I know tossed the spiritual baby out with the religious institution's bathwater, and became cynical about civic engagement. It is not time to abandon hope in our goodness, however, and it is not time to surrender our conscience to Caesar. Our experiences as boomers teach us that it is possible to bring the love of God to bear in our lives, despite Caesar's constant pressure to cherish power, wealth, celebrity, and things more than we cherish people. This book is for folks who are ready to get off Caesar's treadmill and dig deeply into their hearts and minds to see what remains of the Kingdom of God within.
A Baby Boomer's Reflection on Spirituality in the American Empire Meg Gorzycki. Anthropologists Can Teach Us about the War, ... Rubenstein , Richard . E . When Jesus became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity in the Last Days of Rome ."
The Cambridge Companion to the Council of Nicaea
Demonstrate the profound legacy of The Council of Nicaea with fresh, sometimes provocative, but always intellectually rich ideas.
Rowett, Catherine. 2012. “Christopher Stead (1913–2008): His Work in Patristics.” StPatr 54: 1–14. Rubenstein , Richard E . 1999. When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome . Orlando: Harcourt."
The Bible Says . . .
How can people taking diametrically opposing positions on contemporary issues--dividing both religious communities and society--quote the Bible in support of their views? What does it mean to make a claim that the Bible says or teaches something? Why appeal to the Bible at all? Whose interpretation is the right one? If you've felt confused about the Bible's role or authority in such controversies, this book may help. The author draws upon his more than forty years of pastoral ministry and seminary teaching experience as he examines the Bible--what it is (and isn't), how it came to be a sacred text for Jews and Christians, what kind of authority it has, and how that authority is used or misused. He does not attempt to take a position on the controversial issues themselves, but argues for understanding the Bible as a community product, arising out of the historical life of communities of faith, that then exerts a shaping or normative power in those communities through time, and asks how the Bible and the "Word of God" may be related in constructive ways.
Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome . Orlando: Harcourt, 1999. Sanders, James A. “Canon, Old Testament.” In The Anchor Bible Dictionary, vol."
American Lynching
A history of lynching in America over the course of three centuries, from colonial Virginia to twentieth-century Texas. After observing the varying reactions to the 1998 death of James Byrd Jr. in Texas, called a lynching by some, denied by others, Ashraf Rushdy determined that to comprehend this event he needed to understand the long history of lynching in the United States. In this meticulously researched and accessibly written interpretive history, Rushdy shows how lynching in America has endured, evolved, and changed in meaning over the course of three centuries, from its origins in early Virginia to the present day. “A work of uncommon breadth, written with equally uncommon concision. Excellent.” —N. D. B. Connolly, Johns Hopkins University “Provocative but careful, opinionated but persuasive . . . Beyond synthesizing current scholarship, he offers a cogent discussion of the evolving definition of lynching, the place of lynchers in civil society, and the slow-in-coming end of lynching. This book should be the point of entry for anyone interested in the tragic and sordid history of American lynching.” —W. Fitzhugh Brundage, author of Lynching in the New South: Georgia and Virginia, 1880-1930 “A sophisticated and thought-provoking examination of the historical relationship between the American culture of lynching and the nation’s political traditions. This engaging and wide-ranging meditation on the connection between democracy, lynching, freedom, and slavery will be of interest to those in and outside of the academy.” —William Carrigan, Rowan University “In this sobering account, Rushdy makes clear that the cultural values that authorize racial violence are woven into the very essence of what it means to be American. This book helps us make sense of our past as well as our present.” —Jonathan Holloway, Yale University
Rubenstein , Richard E . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome . Orlando, FL: Harcourt, 1999. Rushdy, Ashraf H. A. Neo-Slave Narratives: Studies in the Social Logic of a Literary Form."
Voices of Early Christianity
This fascinating resource examines the day-to-day lives of early Christians--as depicted through documented accounts of the period--from the beginning of Christianity through 325 CE. Early Christianity drew its doctrine from a variety of sources--personal interpretation, Hebrew scriptures, and church council--yet the core ideology endured, even as the religion transitioned from being the object of persecution to becoming a legal institution in the Roman Empire. This book celebrates the voices that helped create and develop Christianity during that period. Voices of Early Christianity: Documents from the Origins of Christianity is a collection of excerpts from significant documents from early Christian history, organized topically, then listed chronologically within each section. The author compares textual variations among the works of the apostles, as well as key themes over time, and frames the discussion for further critical thinking. Topics include sexuality, marriage, and divorce; food issues; women in early Christianity; and politics and Christianity. Visual aids, including wall paintings from the Christian catacombs and pictures of Roman architecture A detailed chronology of early Christianity from the faith's beginning through 325 CE
Rubenstein , Richard E . When jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days ofRome. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, 1999. Salter, Kenneth W “Canon Law Divorce and Annulment of the Roman Catholic Church at the Parish."
Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness: The Truth about the Vatican and the Birth of Islam
Gary Dale Cearley's ground breaking book straightens out the myths concerning one of the biggest religious hoaxes of all time. Gary Dale's arguments are grounded on the only thing that matter. The facts. Just when you thought you knew your history... A must read.
For more see: When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome , Richard E . Rubenstein , Harvest Books, 2000; and Arius: Heresy and Tradition, Rowan Williams, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, ..."
Empress Galla Placidia and the Fall of the Roman Empire
Despite her status as one of history's most important women, the story of Galla Placidia's life has been largely forgotten. Though the Roman empress witnessed the decline and fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century and lived a life of almost constant suffering, her actions helped postpone the fall of Rome and had massive, widespread impact on the empire that can still be felt today. She watched the barbarian king Alaric and his horde of Visigoth warriors sack Rome, slaughter many of the city's inhabitants, and take her hostage. Surviving captivity, Galla Placidia became the queen of the barbarians who had imprisoned her. Eventually, she became the only woman to rule the Roman empire alone. Soldiers obeyed her commands while Popes and Christian saints alike sought her advice. Despite all obstacles and likely suffering from what we now know as PTSD, she lived to an old age by the standards of the time. This book uses the letters and writings of Galla Placidia's contemporaries to reconstruct, in more depth and detail than has previously been attempted, the remarkable story of her life and the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.
The Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire. 2 vols. Oxford: Clarendon. Rubenstein , Richard . 1999. When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome . New York: Harcourt. Rubery, Eillen."
War in a Bottle
The Supernatural Power of Peace All people contain DNA. Recent studies have revealed that genes remember the past and to a certain extent can influence the present. The environment in which we live influences not only the development of our psyche but also the overall disposition in which genes play a larger role than previously thought. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus declared: "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God." Just as the Word suggests, it is not the war-makers that are blessed, but the peacemakers. Whatever we scarcely pay attention to, as being unattractive and not dramatic enough to grab our attention, God chose to astound the world. First Corinthians 1:25 says, "The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." This book deals with the supernatural nature of peace, which actually heals and restores. More than ever before, the modern lifestyle robs us of peace; as a result, people seek an escape from stress. Some find it in chemical substances; others in time off, relaxation, or meditation. But there is a peace that surpasses human understanding. Like walking firebombs, which are bottles filled with petrol ready to go off, some people go through life without any purpose. As the title of this book suggests, the bottle must be emptied of all flammable substances; for only then one will find the much-sought-after commodity, which is the healing and restoring power of peace.
Christianity has been affected by the events of the Council of Nicaea. Source: Richard E . Rubenstein —“When Jesus Became God :” The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome . http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Richard_E."
The “Nonsense” Papers
The idea of aliens and UFOs has always played a crucial role in human history. Regardless of the ridicule this mind-set inspires in skeptics, the intense speculation and debate on this topic continues to intrigue around the world. Hundreds have shared detailed personal experiences of contact with these beings or crafts, recounting a wide variety of alien interaction with our world and its peoples. Yet the official explanationsswamp gas, weather balloons, and morejust dont match up with these reports. The Nonsense Papers anthology explores these controversial and contemporary issues, considering a wide variety of interrelated topics: UFOs Military black projects based on alien technology Former NASA missions (and the possible secrets they hold) An alternative view on organized religious cults (and how their origin by our creators from the stars) Environmental issues, including climate change Time travel Testimonies from those who offer insight on alien contact The future and fate of our planet after 2012 This collection also focuses on humanity and culture, examining where we are headed if we continue down our current path. It questions those who plan to save humanity by making exaggerated claims and impossible goals and challenges us to analyze and examine ourselves and our society as a whole. It implores humans to use common sense, rationality, and logic as our present life seems void of feelings, dreams, hopes, and desires. Overall, the only way humans can save these precious ideologies is in the discovery of ourselves.
Inc.; 6th Rev and En Edition (June 1960). [34] Ibid 33. [35] Richard E . Rubenstein . When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome . Mariner Books (July 2000). [36] Acharya S. The Christ ..."
Reasons to Kill
From the American Revolution to the end of World War II, the United States spent nineteen years at war against other nations. But since1950, the total is twenty-two years and counting. On four occasions, U.S. presidents elected as "peace candidates" have gone on to lead the nation into ferocious armed conflicts. Repeatedly, wars deemed necessary when they began have been seen in retrospect as avoidable, Äîandill-advised. Americans profess to be a peace-loving people and one wary of "foreign entanglements." Yet we have been drawn into wars in distant lands from Vietnam to Afghanistan. We cherish our middle-class comforts and our children. Yet we send our troops to Fallujah and Mogadishu. How is it that ordinary Americans with the most to lose are so easily convinced to follow hawkish leaders-of both parties-into war? In Reasons to Kill noted scholar Richard E. Rubenstein explores both the rhetoric that sells war to the public and the underlying cultural and social factors that make it so effective. With unmatched historical perspective and insightful commentary, Rubenstein offers citizens new ways to think for themselves about crucial issues of war and peace.
Why Americans Choose War Richard E . Rubenstein ... the Spy When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity During the Last Days of Rome Aristotle's Children: How Christians, Muslims, and Jews Rediscovered Ancient Wisdom and ..."
Becoming Christian
The evolution of Christianity as it is known today began in Antioch, but as Becoming Christian reveals, it had once been quite different. While most histories gloss over the earliest period of Christianity to begin with the Christian establishment, this book uncovers the little-known history within the "gap" between 31 and 70 CE, when the Jesus Movement was headquartered in Jerusalem under the authority of James bar Joseph, the brother of Jesus, and the apostles served as missionaries carrying the teachings of Jesus throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. By the year 66 CE, James and most of the apostles had died, along with much of their teaching. Paul's spiritual Jesus had gained a foothold among Gentiles in Antioch and throughout the West, including Rome, where it finally blossomed into a powerful political hierarchy. No longer was Jesus' humanity important to the church. With the death of James, the original movement fell into disarray and split into factions, each developing its own doctrines. Thus, there arose numerous Christianities during the first two centuries, many of which had become heretical. The Jesus Movement had now become irrelevant to the church, and as Becoming Christian reveals, by the third century it would be publicly eradicated for all time.
Pomykala, Kenneth e . ... Jesus and His World, minneapolis, mn: augsburg Fortress, 1930. rubenstein , richard . When Jesus Became God , The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome , san Diego, new York, London: harcourt, ..."
Caring for Clergy
Like Aaron and Hur who lifted the arms of Moses during battle (Exodus 17), this book highlights the critical work of clergy care providers in America. These individuals and organizations support clergy by providing counseling, coaching, spiritual direction, funding, hospitality, education, and benefits upon which clergy rely. Their ministry strengthens congregations and has the capability to produce an exponential return for the kingdom of God. Yet, these providers are often disconnected. Our groundbreaking national research reveals gaps in the training, qualifications, and formational experiences of clergy care providers. We note differences in language that hinder effective communication as well as significant disparities in the literature that informs clergy care. Addressing these disconnects has the potential to improve the lives of clergy and the congregations and communities clergy serve. Whether you are a clergy care provider, a clergyperson, or a lay leader, we invite you to respond. Working together, we envision a connected network of providers offering more effective support for clergy and improving the congregations and communities they serve.
Hamilton , Victor P . Handbook on the Pentateuch : Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers , Deuteronomy . Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005. Hardon, John A. A Prophet for the Priesthood. Bardstown, KY: Eternal Life, 1998."
Capitalism and Christianity, American Style
Capitalism and Christianity, American Style is William E. Connolly’s stirring call for the democratic left to counter the conservative stranglehold over American religious and economic culture in order to put egalitarianism and ecological integrity on the political agenda. An eminent political theorist known for his work on identity, secularism, and pluralism, Connolly charts the path of the “evangelical-capitalist resonance machine,” source of a bellicose ethos reverberating through contemporary institutional life. He argues that the vengeful vision of the Second Coming motivating a segment of the evangelical right resonates with the ethos of greed animating the cowboy sector of American capitalism. The resulting evangelical-capitalist ethos finds expression in church pulpits, Fox News reports, the best-selling Left Behind novels, consumption practices, investment priorities, and state policies. These practices resonate together to diminish diversity, forestall responsibility to future generations, ignore urban poverty, and support a system of extensive economic inequality. Connolly describes how the evangelical-capitalist machine works, how its themes resound across class lines, and how it infiltrates numerous aspects of American life. Proposing changes in sensibility and strategy to challenge this machine, Connolly contends that the liberal distinction between secular public and religious private life must be reworked. Traditional notions of unity or solidarity must be translated into drives to forge provisional assemblages comprised of multiple constituencies and creeds. The left must also learn from the political right how power is infused into everyday institutions such as the media, schools, churches, consumption practices, corporations, and neighborhoods. Connolly explores the potential of a “tragic vision” to contest the current politics of existential resentment and political hubris, explores potential lines of connection between it and theistic faiths that break with the evangelical right, and charts the possibility of forging an “eco-egalitarian” economy. Capitalism and Christianity, American Style is William E. Connolly’s most urgent work to date.
... of His Philosophical Activity, trans. Charles Wallra√ (South Bend: Regnery, 1965). 10 Quoted in Richard Rubenstein , When Jesus Became God : The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome (New York: Harcourt, 1999), ..."
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