Title: The fall of Paganism: a study of the disestablishment of paganism in the establishment of Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire
Abstract: In conflict between Christianity and Paganism for dignity of Established Religion of Roman Empire, Fourth Century witnessed unique recorded example of death struggle of a great religious system. Though former gained nominal victory, it was forced to make so many compromises to Paganism that Bishop Westcott has written: - The world got into Church in Fourth Century and we have never since been able to get it out.
The Roman armies in their all-conquering career came into contact with many different forms of religion. Their practice of drafting soldiers of one conquered part to serve in other far-distant corners of Empire, and readiness of populace to adopt new customs, helped to diffuse many creeds throughout then known world. Within dominions of Caesars were to be found barbarians, who still invoked their demi-gods; philosophers, who looked to One Supreme God; Jews, who awaited their Messiah; Eastern mystics, especially those who professed two chief forms of such religion; Christians from Judea and Mithraists from beyond Jordan. These last, originally Sun-worshippers of Persia, had developed a cult which Dr. Bigg called the purest and most elevated of non-Biblical religions. […]
Publication Year: 1914
Publication Date: 1914-01-01
Language: en
Type: dissertation
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