Christine Shepardson, assistant professor of religious studies, argued that the historical rhetoric used to define Christianity has coincided with controversy and struggle that remains evident in the religious views of today.
Shepardson spoke to students and faculty Thursday night on the topic of “Jews, Christians, Heretics: Fourth-Century Politics and the Making of Christian Orthodoxy”.
“The struggle to define Christianity has lead to anti-Judaism in some ways,” as different groups of Christians claim to have the “right teaching,” Shepardson said.
Examples of writings from several biblical scriptures and scholars were used to exemplify the ways in which diversity of views existed through time.
And Christianity is “certainly not new to the political scene,” she said, and “I want to challenge the idea that early Christianity was that of a pristine image.”
With different interpretations and sayings, it is obvious why all religious groups think they are right because they are without a “highest source,” she said, and that controversy continues to change, but it began as early as the third and fourth centuries. As a minority within the Roman Empire, with no political power, Christianity was blamed for not following political ideals of the time period.
And power swapped repeatedly between the belief of Anthenasius and the Arians, depending on the leader in power.
“It was a divided empire with different forms of Christianity,” she said.
She said the parts of these groups had good sayings about who they were for and why they were not confused with other Jews, who were seen as “negative people.” And such negative language is seen in history as a way to win by blaming opponents for being what Jews were, or were not in the Old Testament of the Bible.
She said the beginning of Christian orthodoxy and its relation to political struggle still has support for politics and language used by parties today. And it is such a struggle that “forces us to recognize” the rhetoric used by writers like Ephrum, who argues through hymns against Christianity and Greeks, although they were “doing the same,” by trying to construct a “model for the community.”
Troy Weston, senior in political science and classics, said that he really enjoyed Shepardson’s review.
“I thought she did really well proving points,” he said. “She thought well, on her feet, answering some tough questions.”
Weston said she also did well with continuous usage of text across the Roman Empire.
