Rome And Judaism Influence On Christianity

Albert Schweitzer once said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.”(GoodReads). While some are aware of small portions of Christianity’s history, many are unaware of the cultures and religions that influenced the spread of the religion as well as the religion’s practices, beliefs, and churches. From Rome’s influences on the church as a state, the architecture of Christian churches, and the spread of the religion, to Jewish influences on the Christian Bible, the Messiah in Christianity, the religion’s practices and prayers. These cultures not only influenced by example, as Schweitzer said, but through writings as well. It is the ways that Rome and Judaism influenced Christianity that will be analyzed within …show more content…
When the government constructed roads there was nothing to indicate that these roads would help Christianity spread (Ekeke 28). The Romans had developed a great road system through hills and valleys that allowed for travel throughout the empire. They even built many roads from concrete, allowing them to last for long periods of time. These roads “allowed a free passage of individuals from one place to another and hence gave Christianity new converts.” They aided the rapid spread of Christianity through ““mutual exchange of thought””. Christians who traded or crafted would share the gospels wherever they went, bringing faith to many within the Roman empire. These “”roads greatly facilitated that church organization and brotherhood which strengthened the church to overcome the empire””. Finally, Rome influenced Christianity through Peace. “An outstanding characteristic of the Roman Empire is “peace.”” (Ekeke 29). During the reign of Caesar Augustine, Rome was a peaceful place due to military stations throughout the empire that stopped any wars before they could really start. This peace allowed for economical and cultural growth throughout the empire for more than two centuries. This peace, along with the roads in Rome, enabled Christianity to spread throughout the empire. “The peace of Rome was a ground for the uninterruptable spread of …show more content…
Some of the prayers which are now recited within Christian churches come from Jewish Origins (Religion: Christianity). These include“early Christian prayers” which “ are quotations or adaptations from Jewish originals.” Some of these prayers were taken from the Apostolic Constitutions and the Didache. Of all of the prayers that come from Judaism, the one that is most commonly known is “The Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father which art in heaven”).” The Lord’s Prayer includes three things that are seen within Jewish Prayers: praise, petition, and longing for the Kingdom of God to come (Lord’s Prayer). This influence is also seen in the words Amen and Hallelujah, which are also of Jewish Origin (Religion: