When Jesus Became God: The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome

While it is true that the author is not a theologian, he is a professor specializing in religious conflict. What better application of his field that one of the earliest conflicts of the Christian era? The text neither argues for, nor against a particular religion.

It is readable by someone of almost any religion (except the Church of Intolerance). It lays out some of the major trends and events that crystalized the central dogmas of Christianity, and it does so clearly and readably. It focuses precisely on the content defined by its subtitle -- "The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome."

My only disappointment with the book is that almost all of it covers the struggle between "Jesus is God" and "Jesus was created by God." Then, almost as an afterthought, it concludes with, 'and then the doctrine of Trinity happened.' I would have liked to read a longer text that gave more coverage to this transition, in addition to the material it covered. As it stands, it left me with the sense that I had read 10 chapters of back-and-forth between the two opposing camps, and then, in the final sentence it said, 'and so the conflict was resolved by going sideways.'

A good read: entertaining in addition to being educational. Perhaps Trinity will be the sequel?

I came to this book, and the subject matter, from outside of Christianity and as such I do not have any background to discuss any of theological matters raised. Any comment on my part cannot have any value, (unlike many of the other Reviewers who have a lifetime of background on the various Theologies of Christianity).

My first concern was to understand the basic concepts of Deity from a Christian viewpoint; from a viewpoint of Deity which has three distinct elements making up the whole (this is still a difficult concept for me to fully comprehend, as it appears to have been for millennia to others who were of the Christian faith - hence the current status of today's Church which is fragmented not on the basis of Jesus as God, but purely on doctrinal and ritualistic matters). As far as gaining some little understanding of the basic Theological concepts which is the basis of Christianity I find that the time spent reading this book was extremely well spent, Finally I have been able to learn, appreciate (if not fully to understand),the basic concepts which are the basis of a Christian Deity, and to understand its proper place in G-d's Universe.

This is a wonderful little book, which is totally lacking in any kind of judgment; it clearly explains to the layman the difficult concept of Christian Theology, upon which personal belief is supposed to be based: Concepts and Faith which have shaped human Society for the past two millennia, and which even today continue to do so.

Yet it is more than just a book on Theology past and present. Is is in fact a book on many levels, retelling the difficult period of conflicting approaches to Deity within the early Church. It clearly explains the origins of Christianity as we know it today from two distinct viewpoints; the Spiritual world of faith and belief as developed by the various factions of the early Church fathers, and the Material world of the here and now, and the present Church which has evolved as a result of the the early, and close, relationship between the various factions of the early Church Fathers, and the ruling Emperors of the day. There appears to be a distinct relationship between most of the organizational structures of the present day Church and the Imperial structures of the later Roman Empire. Is this mere coincidence?

The most fascinating part for me, as a reader with no background of Christianity and the early Church, and of the period known as the late Roman Empire, was the re telling of a living society of the period; a historically "empty" period in human affairs, and the survival of the Roman Empire (and with it the Survival of the Church); this despite continuous Persian threats and never ending wars; and this at a time when mostly "Barbarian Legions" protected the borders of the Empire; a time of great "Barbarian" migrations toward what we know today as Europe, and the ever present internal threats which these "Barbarians" presented - this despite the fact that they were mostly, by that time, also of the Christian faith - as was the whole of the Roman Empire. The Church accepted their CITIZENSHIP as Christians without discrimination, unlike the Empire which used their fighting skills but refused them Roman Citizenship - a condition which created unrest and revolt. For a more detailed history on this matter read "Justinian's Flea."

As a Jew I would be very much poorer, intellectually, if I had not read this book: as a human being I feel much richer in finally being able to vaguely understand, and to fully appreciate, the basis of my neighbors spiritual beliefs, and the spiritual and legal basis of our present society. The reading is easy, the subject matter is lofty, and the rewards are both intellectually and spiritually uplifting.

Excellent book which shows how a paganised Church declared Jesus to be God over 300 years after his birth. It is quite obvious that Jesus was a man (a very special man - the Son of God) otherwise the early Christians who were Jews and fiercely monotheistic would not have been converted to Christ.

The only three star book I've read that I consider a must read.

I knew from the many reviews on this title that this book has hit on a lot of passions within the Christian, Jewish, and secular community. What I didn't expect to see was that many of the passions of my fellow Amazon reviewers would in fact reveal themselves in this book. Granted, no one is plotting murder, providing false witness (at least not to my knowledge), or threatened with being excommunicated from Amazon (thank God we are all more mature than that), but I was shocked at how history often repeats itself within us. Although in our case it's just the war of ideas. It's too bad the main players during this time period didn't do the same.

I honestly feel that every Christian should read this book. Some pro-Trinitarians I have spoken with despise this book with a passion. I would ask why? The epistles clearly speak about false Christianities popping up long before the events in this book ever transpired. Should we be persuaded by the conclusions of the counsel of Nicea or any other counsel during this time? What if emperor Valens (the pro Arian) had not died? What if a pro-Arian faith developed that eventually looked more like modern day Unitarianism? Would we be calling Trinitarians heretics? The main players that lived during this period of time showed very little similarities (if at all) to the apostles of The Bible. The word of God is where every Christian should draw his/her conclusions from.

Much has been said to Richard Rubenstein's ability to be unbiased. Well he's not unbiased. As a matter of fact no one is! The reader must be willing to draw from the facts written, and not confuse the author's conclusions as fact (though they are often very helpful). I have never read any work where the author has not at least attempted to draw conclusions, or sum up the main points concerning a particular event. No one says you have to come to his same conclusions. This should not discredit this book.

Richard Rubenstein truly brings a religious conflict to life. Christians murdering Christians, false witnesses, scandals, and men running churches who no one in their right mind would trust to watch their dog. Many of the men from this time looked, resembled, and sounded more like the Pharisees and Sadducees that crucified our Lord Jesus Christ than holy men of God. This is a book that you should read, draw your OWN CONCLUSIONS from based on scripture, and use to recognize these same attributes in others. This is a worthy read.

I give Mr. Rubenstein 3 stars for lack of clarity. This book is badly in need of multiple appendices not just a who's who in the back. The historical events happen so quickly as you move through the book it can be difficult to keep the minor players, and movements straight. A chart with a time-line is really needed. I could have moved much quicker through the book with a little more help. That aside Mr. Rubenstein gets the honor of being the only 3 star book I consider a must read.

The only three star book I've read that I consider a must read.

I knew from the many reviews on this title that this book has hit on a lot of passions within the Christian, Jewish, and secular community. What I didn't expect to see was that many of the passions of my fellow Amazon reviewers would in fact reveal themselves in this book. Granted, no one is plotting murder, providing false witness (at least not to my knowledge), or threatened with being excommunicated from Amazon (thank God we are all more mature than that), but I was shocked at how history often repeats itself within us. Although in our case it's just the war of ideas. It's too bad the main players during this time period didn't do the same.

I honestly feel that every Christian should read this book. Some pro-Trinitarians I have spoken with despise this book with a passion. I would ask why? The epistles clearly speak about false Christianities popping up long before the events in this book ever transpired. Should we be persuaded by the conclusions of the counsel of Nicea or any other counsel during this time? What if emperor Valens (the pro Arian) had not died? What if a pro-Arian faith developed that eventually looked more like modern day Unitarianism? Would we be calling Trinitarians heretics? The main players that lived during this period of time showed very little similarities (if at all) to the apostles of The Bible. The word of God is where every Christian should draw his/her conclusions from.

Much has been said to Richard Rubenstein's ability to be unbiased. Well he's not unbiased. As a matter of fact no one is! The reader must be willing to draw from the facts written, and not confuse the author's conclusions as fact (though they are often very helpful). I have never read any work where the author has not at least attempted to draw conclusions, or sum up the main points concerning a particular event. No one says you have to come to his same conclusions. This should not discredit this book.

Richard Rubenstein truly brings a religious conflict to life. Christians murdering Christians, false witnesses, scandals, and men running churches who no one in their right mind would trust to watch their dog. Many of the men from this time looked, resembled, and sounded more like the Pharisees and Sadducees that crucified our Lord Jesus Christ than holy men of God. This is a book that you should read, draw your OWN CONCLUSIONS from based on scripture, and use to recognize these same attributes in others. This is a worthy read.

I give Mr. Rubenstein 3 stars for lack of clarity. This book is badly in need of multiple appendices not just a who's who in the back. The historical events happen so quickly as you move through the book it can be difficult to keep the minor players, and movements straight. A chart with a time-line is really needed. I could have moved much quicker through the book with a little more help. That aside Mr. Rubenstein gets the honor of being the only 3 star book I consider a must read.