tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post7457573870026625118..comments2024-03-28T09:52:15.415-04:00Comments on Common Denominator: What changed with Theodosius?Ken Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-62138680171922461282015-05-20T10:46:43.751-04:002015-05-20T10:46:43.751-04:00"I would be interested in knowing other chang..."I would be interested in knowing other changes that took place."<br /><br />Try McGuckin's book: http://www.amazon.com/Ascent-Christian-Law-Formulations-Civilization/dp/0881414034<br /><br />It is unfortunately a bit uneven, but is probably still the best direct work on the topic. My biggest complaints are:<br /><br />1. He needs way more footnotes to substantiate some of his claims.<br /><br />2. The biggest flaw is that when he discusses Constantine's establishment of parallel church courts, he completely neglects the most obvious reason for doing so: Christian's can't sue each other in civil court (1 Cor 6).<br /><br />However, that said, there is a lot to commend to the book. In particular, he accomplishes his aim which is to demonstrate that the Christianization of the empire brought about some truly important changes in the justice system.Nathanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04008539197675560813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-18878426117016590382015-05-20T10:37:39.483-04:002015-05-20T10:37:39.483-04:00"(no idea whether there is any truth there at..."(no idea whether there is any truth there at all)"<br /><br />There isn't.<br /><br />The cult of the saints grew in parallel with martyrdom. This was started, perhaps implicitly, by Paul's emphasis on his own sufferings. By the middle of the second century, there is an established cultus around martyrs like Polycarp. By the middle of the third century, this cultus is already a major emphasis of both Montanism and Novatianism (which, in my reconstruction, are substantially the same thing in North Africa).<br /><br />If the legalization of Christianity had any effect on the cult of the saints it was to constrain it. For instance, during the Donatist controversy conflict arose over what precisely "counts" as a martyr. The bishops began to limit the criteria for martyrdom to curb some of the abuses. This is the beginning of the formal canonization process which is instituted to limit the cult of the saints, not propel it to greater heights.<br /><br />So no, there is no truth the claim that the cult of the saints was the result of imperial suppression of polytheism. If anything, imperial support for Christianity enabled the bishops to constrain abuses on this topic.<br /><br />For those that are curious, here is the earliest known Marian hymn, which dates back at least to the middle of the third century (well before imperial support):<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub_tuum_praesidiumNathanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04008539197675560813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-66059508161351486242015-05-20T08:02:55.438-04:002015-05-20T08:02:55.438-04:00But Dan Brown said.....
Oh wait, you are reflecti...But Dan Brown said.....<br /><br />Oh wait, you are reflecting on actual history. The more that is done, but more people will start listening to urban myths.RDavidnoreply@blogger.com