1.
Having studied and read about the expansion of the early Christian church and movement, discuss the factors (personal, religious, political, etc.) which contributed to its
spread. What are the most important factors that you have discovered throughout this study? Do not just list, but explain why you chose the people, events, or cultural issues that helped Christianity spread through the Roman world. The spread of Christianity in Europe and the Roman Empire began through the missionary efforts of the apostles and persecuted believers. The spread of the Christian Gospel began to influence pagan Rome from polytheism to monotheism. Much of Paul's
writing addresses the paganism of the Greco-Roman world. The heroism of the martyrs, who preferred to suffer imprisonment and death rather than deny Christ. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christians," as Tertullian said.
Constantine put a stop to the persecutions because he believed the Christian god had helped him win the battle against Maxentius. Secondly, tolerating Christians would ease social tensions because they had become so numerous in the Empire. The old pagan religions offered very little to their adherents. The gods had to be appeased and sacrifices made, but there was no hope of heaven for the ordinary person—just a dreary afterlife in the Asphodel Fields. Only Emperors and hero generals reached the Elysian Fields. Christianity, however, offered all its adherents eternal happiness with God and the saints - essential when the average life expectancy in Rome was about 29.
2.
Explain why the Johannine literature is important to a student of the New Testament. The Johannine literature is essential to students of the New Testament because it offers a unique perspective on Jesus and his teachings, provides insights into the historical
