Lex Fridman JESUS In Ancient Rome: I COMPLETELY DISAGREE With Prof. Aldrete

This is a video reaction and response to the section of the Lex Fridman's podcast on Ancient Rome about Christianity and Jesus of Nazareth. On this video we will expand on religion in ancient Rome both in terms of the Roman pagan traditions and on how the Romans viewed early Christianity.

Link to the original podcast I'm responding to:

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Christianity emerged and spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire during the 1st to 4th centuries AD, profoundly shaping the religious and cultural landscape of the ancient Mediterranean world.
The religion began with Jesus of Nazareth and his followers in Judea, a Roman province. After Jesus' crucifixion around 30-33 AD, his disciples, led by figures like Peter and Paul, began spreading his teachings. Paul's missionary journeys and letters to early Christian communities were particularly influential in expanding the faith beyond its Jewish origins.
Initially, Roman authorities viewed Christianity as a sect of Judaism. However, as it grew and developed a distinct identity, Christians faced periods of persecution. They were often seen as subversive for refusing to participate in imperial cult worship and rejecting many Roman social norms.
Despite persecution, Christianity continued to gain converts across all social classes. Its message of salvation, equality before God, and community support appealed to many in the cosmopolitan Roman world. The religion spread through urban centers along trade routes, with house churches forming the basis of early Christian communities.
A turning point came in 312 AD when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. The Edict of Milan in 313 AD granted religious tolerance, ending official persecution. Constantine's patronage accelerated Christianity's growth and began its transformation from a marginalized sect to the empire's dominant religion.
By the late 4th century, Christianity had become the official state religion of the Roman Empire under Theodosius I. This profound shift would shape European history and culture for centuries to come.
The rise of Christianity in the Roman era demonstrates how a nascent religious movement can transform an empire, highlighting the complex interplay between political power, social dynamics, and religious belief in shaping historical outcomes.

Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ, is the central figure of Christianity. He lived in the 1st century CE in Judea, a region under Roman rule at the time. While most of what we know about Jesus comes from Christian sources, particularly the New Testament Gospels, he is also mentioned in some non-Christian historical texts.
According to Christian tradition, Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph. The Gospels describe his birth as miraculous, with Mary conceiving through the Holy Spirit. Jesus began his public ministry around the age of 30. He traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, preaching, teaching, and reportedly performing miracles.
Jesus' teachings focused on love, forgiveness, and the coming of God's kingdom. He often taught using parables and was known for challenging religious and social norms of his time. He gathered a group of followers, including the Twelve Apostles, who helped spread his message.
Roman authorities, with the cooperation of some Jewish leaders, arrested and crucified Jesus. This occurred around 30-33 CE. Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion, a central tenet of Christian faith.
Christians view Jesus as the Son of God and the promised Messiah, believing his death and resurrection offer salvation to humanity. Jesus' life and teachings have had an enormous influence on world history, shaping not only religious thought but also art, culture, politics, and philosophy across the globe.
It's important to note that while Christians view Jesus as divine, other religious traditions have different perspectives. For instance, Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet but not as God, while Judaism generally does not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

#lexfridman #jesuschrist #christianity

[metatronyt]

Link to the original podcast I'm responding to:

Join this channel to get access to more old school Metatron videos the algorithm wouldn't prioritize!

Also if you like what I do and wish to support my work to help me make sure that I can continue to tell it how it is please consider checking out my Patreon! Unboxings are Patreon exclusives!

[EntertheDragonChild]

it's kind of how politicians today are totally disconnected from the lower classes

[haze]

The earliest form of Christianity was being spread in synagogues among Jews. Paul's practice of visiting synagogues upon arriving in a new city was a significant aspect of his missionary strategy. This approach is documented multiple times in the Book of Acts, highlighting its importance in his ministry. It's not surprising that Pliny didn't know much about the early faith. The Christian faith was spreading quietly behind closed doors.

[Astropeleki]

Really hope that Lex will invite you on his podcast

[magister.mortran]

The law that banned paganism and all heretical Christian branches was the Edict of Thessalonica by Theodosius, Gratianus and Valentinianus II.

[StormShadow]

It needs to be understood as well that, especially to an ancient mind, gods is not the plural of God. What Judaism and Christianity present is an ontologically different "being" from the pantheons of the pagans.

[foxa]

The professor looks at ancient religion through a modern secularists lens and this is particularly obvious when he references the monotheistic faiths

[solicitr]

2:50 - well, the Romans also liked to syncretize; there's a lot of "They worship our gods just under different names." Tacitus famously credited the Germans with worshiping Mercury and Jupiter, i.e. Woden and Thunor. Going back in time, the Roman gods themselves "acquired" identity with the Greek pantheon with whom originally they had nothing to do, save Apollo and Hercules who seem to have been direct imports. Mars for example was a Latin agricultural deity long before he adopted the jurisdiction, history and rather nasty character of Ares.

[ilonasearls]

"Long video". Not long enough! I'm here to learn, and listen.

I wouldn't mind if they were longer. I watch/listen when I am at work. And I absolutely love your work!

[bobSeigar]

Historian: "The Absence of Evidence is the Evidence of Absence."

In these replies: "People" who think they've grasped Wisdom more than Mr Carl Sagan and John Locke.

[sanctum]

I think a lot of people who have lived with christianity for their whole lives find it difficult to understand the division of state and church in antiquity, which you talk about 11:00 . After all, Jesus did say "Give to Caesar what is Caesar, and God what is God's." It's really interesting to think that for Romans, this would make no sense. Politics and Religion were intrinsically connected, and being a significant political leader would also often mean this was seen as a religious virtue. Church and State are inherently connected in Ancient Romans, and this is really hard for modern people to wrap their heads around.

[lamename]

Something else to consider is that in that time period (and for centuries afterwards) the king was the high priest of the state everywhere. This goes as far back as the bronze age with city states and city gods. That was the typical situation across europe, the middle east and north africa (and probably outside of it as well, but those are the places I am aware of for certain). Still is in many tribal societies. And it makes sense, after all, the king represents his people, so why would he not be the executor of the religious rites? And in turn he (or she) could impact the religious foundation of the people he led. This is reason number one as to why when a germanic chieftain (as was the case with the franks and many many others) converted his entire tribe converted with him. Because he was their high priest, so when he said "this jesus guy is cool" that meant something.

This separation of church and state is a very recent phenomenon and really is a christian doctrine. "My kingdom is not of this world" and "heavenly kingdom" are all concepts we are familiar with. And they put a divide between the spiritual and the temporal, because we (christians) can't talk to Jesus specifically and get his commands, but we most certainly can consider ourselves part of his kingdom, while living here on earth and being citizens of our own nations.

[blogbalkanstories]

Well, part of the problem was that once the Romans had figured out that Christianity had split from Judaism, they didn't extend the Jewish exemption from worshipping the emperor to Christians anymore.

Jews didn't have to worship the emperor because their religion was considered ancient, and the Romans, much like the rest of the mediterranean world at the time, deeply respected everything ancient, and were suspicious of everything new - and Christianity undoubtedly was a new thing.

[Rensune]

Aldrete's main mistake is thinking that these ancient peoples think the way he does.

Which is impossible.

I mean, it's impossible for Other people, that exist Now, even living in the same area you live in.

Let alone people on a different continent thousands of years ago.

[Hallo-ithn]

You are right that the lack of knowledge of a high class Roman governor might not perfectly indicate the popularity of Christianity, but I believe most modern estimates put the percentage of the population that was Christian in the empire in 100 AD significantly below 1%

[eddysu]

Just discovered your channel recently and now I'm religiously watching every video. Thank you for this amazing content. I have to go on long walks every day due to a health problem and it helps me tremendously to kill time. Keep it up 💪

[foxa]

Have to disagree metetron, Constantine may have brought the Christian church into the mainstream and made it the state religion but Theodosius really marries it to the state in a truer sense and indeed laid down a lot of the theology that people should follow (should being underlined) and it is under him that so called heretical views are persecuted

[susandolan]

GALATIANS 3: 26 - 29. You are all Sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. There is neither JEW nor GREEK (gentiles), SLAVE or FREE, MALE or FEMALE, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus. If YOU BELONG to Christ, THEN YOU are ABRAHAM'S seed (descendants), and HEIRS according to the promise (see also JOHN 1: 12 & 13).

[joshuaclabeaux]

Thomas More (1500's) understood separation of religion and state, but he was the exception in his time; most other English people at the time were easily convinced that the Pope's authority over the English church was an offence and an infringement on the king's authority in and over his own land.

[charlesfinnigan]

On sacrificing to the Emperor there was no confusion and it affected both Christians and Jewish believers as both refused to sacrifice to the Emperor. That religion was not driving force in Rome is silly, for instance it was the major contention between Caesar and the Senate that ended up ending the Republic. Christianity though threatened the economy in a special way, in that they were not buying animals for sacrifice and ALSO teaching people that worshiping idols was wrong, causing major problems for those selling the idols. We see that pop up in the writings of Paul for instance. The other thing Christianity brought that might have been a problem to Rome, is that you could not be a Christian (one taking part in communion) and be a member of the military in the early days of the religion. This is also the reason I disagree about Christianity being appealing to Emperors.