Why was there conflict between early Christians and Roman authorities?

Answer 1

A:

Many Christians firmly believe today that until the time of Constantine, Christians faced endless persecution by the Roman authorities. In fact, there were no more than 12 years of official persecution during the three centuries before Emperor Constantine. When Christians were persecuted, it seems that the authorities were really more concerned about the risk to good government of having a state within a state, or a reaction to potentially treasonous actions by some Christians.

Edward Gibbon (The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) goes as far as to conclude about the attitude of the emperors to the Christians:

• That a considerable time elapsed before they considered the new sectaries as deserving of the attention of government.
• That in the conviction of any of their subjects who were accused of so very singular a crime, they proceeded with caution and reluctance.
• That they were moderate in the use of punishments; and
• That the afflicted church enjoyed many intervals of peace and tranquility.

Gibbon describes the real period of conflict as beginning with Constantine and reaching its height late in the fourth century, when the Christian Roman authorities initiated centuries of persecution of those who followed paganism, even making the ancient religion illegal under Roman law.

Answer 2

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.

Answer 3

They were suspected of planning revolution - meeting in private houses, and reportedly eating human flesh and blood - sacrileges were often a sign of revolutionaries binding themselves with criminal actions so that none of them could break the plot without bringing the death penalty on themselves as well as the others.

Answer 4

Jesus was not in conflict with the Romans. In fact he preached civil obedience. "Render unto Caesar"...etc.