Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire: Causes and Factors

Introduction: A Report to Emperor Diocletian

The rise of the Christian religion among the Roman people is a serious cause of concern. Upon your esteemed orders, I have carried out a detailed study of the numerous causes behind this new religion's success. Please allow me to present some of these causes, which I am certain will be a source of enlightenment for you as well as the other leaders of our great Roman Empire.

As this letter will explain, some of the most important reasons for the continued success of the Christian religion lie in our policies of tolerating alien gods, the belief and practice of martyrdom — which strengthened the Christian religion — and, most significantly, the willingness of the elite, the educated, and the general masses alike to accept Christianity. These factors, taken together, provide a comprehensive account of how this religion has risen so rapidly within our Empire.

Roman Religious Tolerance and the Absence of Persecution

It has long been our Roman belief, and part of our governing policy, to allow our people the freedom to obey a number of gods — as we do with Jupiter, Mercury, and Neptune, to name but a few. Thus, the rise and growth of Christianity through devotion to their own god comes as no surprise. The absence of any single law or rule in the Roman Empire against the persecution of believers in alien gods makes it all the more suitable for any religion to prosper without hindrance or obstruction from state authorities. This open environment has undeniably contributed to the rise and growth of this religion.

As is evident from our own history, it was not until Emperor Decius that some form of persecution began with the issuance of edicts, and only then was the spread of Christianity interrupted. Furthermore, even these edicts did little to actually stop Christianity's rise. The holy scriptures of this religion had already foretold such events, and the persecutions only proved what was already written. In fact, these steps strengthened the believers' convictions and were understood by Christians as confirmation that they were on the right path. To understand the Decian persecution in its historical context is to understand how Roman policy inadvertently reinforced Christian identity.

Monotheism Versus Polytheism and the Appeal of Equality

Another reason for the speedy rise and growth of Christianity among the Romans is the contrast between our belief in many gods and their strong belief in one God — a doctrine also termed monotheism. As you are well aware, Roman Pagan religion does accept the presence of a dominant god, yet the presence of other gods makes our religion polytheistic, and it is here that a true conflict begins. We hold polytheism as the foundation for the order of our great Roman Empire, and these Christians, believing in one God, contradict our very order and question our fundamental notions of how society should be organized.

An example of this tension is our treatment of slaves and women, which these Christians wholly contradict — demanding equal treatment for all. To illustrate this point, I will draw on an argument from Rodney Stark's The Rise of Christianity, wherein he argues that Christian women were treated better than pagan women in the first few centuries of Christianity's rise. Furthermore, Stark also points out that women held positions of authority and leadership in various congregations (page 108). This stands as a very conclusive reason for the religion's appeal and growth.