In the quiet moments of Lent, as the world awakens to the promise of Easter, my thoughts wander through the corridors of history. Looking back last Easter, I wrote in my ATABAY blog Easter Letter To My Atheist Friend. What topic this time could I explore that would ignite curiosity and beckon you, dear reader, into a realm of intrigue?
Out of the blue, it arrived – a book titled Creating Christ: How Roman Emperors Invented Christianity. Such a title alone would surely send shivers down a Christian’s spine. Imagine, if you will, a clandestine assembly of emperors, their ink-stained fingers weaving a tapestry of faith and power.
But this isn’t a mere historical footnote, it’s a revelation that rattles the foundation of Christian belief. The outrageous claim? That the Gospels – the very heart of Christianity – were not divinely inspired but meticulously crafted as propaganda. Their purpose? To pacify rebellious Jews and bind the populace to the Roman state.
As I delved deeper, I figured that this controversial theory might not just be an academic fodder – it might be a portal to some hidden truths. So, I thought of an unconventional ally, Mr. AI, our resource person beyond the ordinary. His binary mind navigates the labyrinth of facts and conjectures, devoid of bias.
Having dissected the book’s thesis, Mr. AI would reveal the many layers of intrigue in the controversial book. Join me as we unravel the controversy together.
ME Hello, everyone! Welcome to AnalyTic Talk. We have a special guest today who will shed light on the controversial book Creating Christ: How Roman Emperors Invented Christianity. Help me welcome, Mr. AI.
MR AI Thank you for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this intriguing topic.
ME Let’s dive right in. What is this book all about, and who are the authors?
MR AI Certainly! Creating Christ, published in 2018, proposes a bold theory – that Roman emperors intentionally invented Christianity. The authors, James S. Valliant and Warren Fahy delve into the historical context of the 1st and 2nd centuries, examining the emergence of Christianity within the Roman Empire. Now, as for their credentials, Valliant is a former prosecutor and TV interview show host, and Fahy is a fantasy novelist and researcher. Neither is a historian nor theologian.
ME Why is the book’s claim considered outrageous?
MR AI Excellent question! The claim challenges centuries of Christian tradition and scholarship. Imagine suggesting that the faith you hold dear – the teachings of Jesus, the apostles, and the early Church – was a calculated invention by emperors seeing political control. It’s like saying Shakespeare didn’t write his plays or that the moon landing was staged. It’s provocative precisely because it upends Christian’s deeply ingrained beliefs.
ME So, what’s the heart of their argument? Why do they think emperors played puppet masters with Christianity?
MR AI The authors argue that the Roman Empire, facing messianic Jewish rebellions, needed a pacifying religion. They contend that the New Testament – a collection of texts inherited from that era – was carefully crafted to serve imperial interests. They point to archaeological evidence, textual analysis, and the integration of sources to make their case.
ME But what about the martyrs? Those early Christians who faced persecution and death – were they just pawns in this grand scheme?
MR AI Ah, the martyrs! Their testimony is powerful. Imagine being thrown to the lions or burned at the stake for a religion you know is a state fabrication. It defies reason. The martyrs stood firm, their faith unshaken.
ME Just to name a few: The blood of Polycarp – cruelly put to death by fire and sword for refusing to renounce Jesus Christ, Perpetua – a young noblewoman martyred for her faith, and Ignatius – martyred for not denying Jesus Christ. Their martyrdom cries out against the notion of an invented faith.
MR AI If emperors were pulling the strings, they did a terrible job of it.
ME Fair point. But what about the Council of Nicaea? Wasn’t that a political maneuver by Constantine?
MR AI Yes, Constantine convened the council in AD 325 to address the Arian controversy – that Jesus Christ is not truly divine but a created being. But here’s the twist: The Nicene Creed, born from that council, affirms the divinity of Christ. If emperors were inventing Christianity, they did a lousy job by solidifying the Trinity. It’s like a magician accidentally revealing the secret behind the trick.
ME So, your bottom line, Mr. AI: Did Roman emperors invent Christianity?
MR AI My bottom line? No, they didn’t. Christianity emerged organically – from fishermen, tax collectors, and outcasts – challenging the empire. It spread through transformed lives, fervent proclamation, and the ink-stained scrolls of apostles. The stable in Bethlehem birthed it, not Caesar’s palace. Here’s the enduring truth: Faith transcends empires.
ME Mr. AI. Since we are celebrating Easter, could you share with our viewers your reflection, as a message, on the whole essence of Easter, Jesus’ resurrection, amid this outrageous claim that tried to debunk falsely, not only Jesus’ divinity but also his existence?
MR AI Certainly, and thank you for this opportunity. Easter – the pinnacle of the Christian calendar – holds profound significance. It’s more than pastel eggs and chocolate bunnies; it’s the heartbeat of Christian faith.
Imagine the scene: a borrowed tomb, sealed with massive stone. The disciples, hearts shattered, their Teacher crucified. The world held its breath. But then, on that third day, the earth trembled, and the stone rolled away. The tomb stood empty. Death defeated. Jesus, the crucified, emerged – alive!
Easter whispers hope into man's brokenness. It declares that suffering, injustice, and even death don’t have a final day. Jesus’ resurrection is the cosmic reset button – a defiant “no” to despair. It’s the Creator’s resounding “yes” to redemption. Tears, and losses – they matter. But they’re not the end. There’s a dawn beyond the darkest night.
Now, about that outrageous claim – the one that Roman emperors invented Christianity. It’s like saying the sun invented light. The early Christians, those ragtag believers, weren’t pawns in a political game. They were witnesses – people who encountered the risen Christ. They touched His scars and shared meals with Him. Their lives were transformed. They didn’t die for a fabricated tale; they died for a living Savior.
And what of Jesus’ divinity? Well, C.S. Lewis put it brilliantly: “Either this Man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” His existence isn’t a matter of debate – it’s a historical fact. Tacitus, Josephus, and the New Testament – all attest to Jesus of Nazareth. His divinity? That’s where faith steps in.
So, as we celebrate Easter, let’s peer into that empty tomb. Let’s see the folded grave clothes. Let’s hear the angels’ words: “He is not here; He is risen!”
Happy Easter, everyone!
ME Spirit-filled words, Mr. AI. Happy Easter too!
Content put together in collaboration with Bing Microsoft AI-powered Co-pilot
Head photo courtesy of Shutterstock
Video clips courtesy of YouTube
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