Christianity is one of the largest and most influential religions in the world, with over 2.2 billion followers worldwide. But how did this religion come about? What is its origin? And how did it spread? Read on to find out more about the history of Christianity.
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Christianity: Origins
The origins of Christianity can be traced back to the 1st century AD and the life of Jesus Christ. Christ was a Jewish rabbi who preached a message of love and forgiveness. His teachings quickly gained a following, and after his crucifixion, his disciples spread his message throughout the Mediterranean.
Christianity: Spread
During the early years of Christianity, the religion faced considerable persecution from the Roman Empire and its emperors. There were 11 Roman emperors in particular who tried to destroy Christianity and stop this new religion that went against their polytheistic pantheism:
- Nero (37-68 e.Kr.)
- Vespasian (69-79)
- Domitian (81-96)
- Trajan (98-117)
- Hadrian (117-138)
- Marcus Aurelius (161-180)
- Maximinus Thrax (235-238)
- Trajan Decius (249-251)
- Valerian (253-260)
- Diocletian (284-305)
- Constantius and Galerius (early 4th century)
The Christian persecution and oppression found expression in the killing and burning of Christians, but also through legislation that made it very difficult for the religion to spread.
The Spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire
As time went on, however, more and more Romans were converted to the new religion. One of the most important ways Christianity spread was through missionaries. Missionaries are people who travel to share their religious beliefs with others. They often go to places where people are not familiar with their religion.
Emperor Constantine was one of the first great rulers to convert to Christianity. In 312 AD he had a vision of a cross which he believed was a sign from God. He ordered his troops to paint crosses on their shields and they won a battle against another army much larger than theirs at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.
Constantine believed that this victory was due to the Christian God who had helped him, and he thereby declared Christianity the state religion of Rome. He issued the Edict of Milan which gave Christians religious freedom throughout the empire, built churches, and gave money to help spread Christianity.
As more Romans converted to Christianity, it began to spread beyond Rome’s borders. It became popular in other parts of Europe and North Africa. In 380 AD it had become the official religion of the empire, under Emperor Theodosius.
The Spread of Christianity After the Fall of Rome
After the fall of the Roman Empire in AD 476, Europe was plunged into darkness. Or so it seems from our point of view in history. In truth, the fall of Rome marked the beginning of a new chapter in the spread of Christianity. This period saw the rise of monasticism and the conversion of entire barbarian tribes to the Christian faith.
Let’s take a look at how Christianity spread in the centuries after the fall of Rome.
The Rise of Monasticism
One of the most important developments in this period was the rise of monasticism. Following the example of men like St. Anthony, who retired to the desert to live a life of solitude and prayer, hundreds of thousands of men and women withdrew from society to live a life of devotion to God. These monasteries became centers of learning and played an important role in preserving Greco-Roman culture during the Dark Ages. From early on, monks also began missionary journeys to preach Christianity to non-believers.
The Conversion of Barbarian Tribes
Another significant development was the conversion of entire barbarian tribes to Christianity. The most famous example is Saint Patrick, who converted the Irish people to Christianity in the 6th century. Patrick wasn’t the only one; missionaries such as Saint Boniface were also influential in converting Germanic tribes such as the Franks and Lombards. In 600 AD most of Europe had been Christianized, except for Scandinavia and parts of Eastern Europe.
The Spread of Christianity in the Middle Ages
From 600-1000 AD, Christianity continued to spread throughout Europe, largely aided by Christian missionaries who traveled from place to place converting people to the religion. This period also saw the rise of Islam, which put pressure on Christians living in Islamic territories such as Spain and North Africa. Many Christians living in these areas were forced to convert to Islam or leave their homes.
Christianity in Scandinavia took place from about AD 700, when Vikings and Englishmen began to clash, to AD 1200, when it can be said that most of Scandinavia’s population had converted from paganism to Christianity. The Viking Age had ended long before this, around the year 1066, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Things changed dramatically for Christians in 1096 AD. when Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade, a series of military campaigns launched by European Christians with the goal of regaining control of Christian holy sites in the Middle East from Islamic forces. Although ultimately unsuccessful, these campaigns served to increase interest in Christianity throughout Europe and helped pave the way for future missionary work.
In 1500 AD Christianity had managed to reach all corners of the world, mainly thanks to Spanish and Portuguese explorers who helped spread the religion to the Americas, Asia and Africa. And while there are still many regions where Christianity has yet to take hold, it is safe to say that it is now a truly global religion.