But Rome was an intruder in Asia, like Greece before it. The Romans were only accidentally, not intrinsically, Asian, despite the legends of their origin in Homeric Troy as recounted in Virgil’s Aeneid. In fact, the Roman policy toward its holdings in Asia was to break off western Asia from the land mass of the continent and absorb it into the sea-centered Western world of the Mediterranean. To Roman eyes, Asia Minor, Syria, and Palestine were the eastern shores of the Great Sea. To the Parthians, however, these same lands were the western edge of Asia and belonged to Persia. The first seven centuries of church history, therefore, unfolded within the wider context of an imperial conflict between Persia and Rome that set East against West in mortal battle for control of what is now misleadingly called the Middle East.
– Moffett, A History of Christianity in Asia, vol. 1, p. 6
When Westerners think of the world of the New Testament, they tend to think of Rome as the undisputed superpower of the world. A more accurate view would be to view Rome as the great Western power in constant rivalry with Persia, the great power to the East. Rome and Persia were regularly battling over the Middle East, and New Testament cities like Antioch often paid the price.
Because Christianity emerged in this context of overlap between East and West, it’s just as inaccurate to claim Christianity as an Eastern religion as it is to claim it is Western. It is both. It was birthed and thrived in the great tug of war between Rome and Persia. Cyrus and Caesar both played their role in preparing the world for the spread of the good news.
We will be fully funded and headed back to the field when 44 more friends become monthly or annual supporters. If you would like to join our support team, reach out here. Many thanks!
For my list of recommended books and travel gear, click here.
Photos are from Unsplash.com
Entrusted to the Dirt 