Rating: 
Summary: Charged, informative, and relevant. Do read it!
Review: Richard Rubenstein's book, When Jesus Became God, is not only a profound look at religious conflict and controversies in the early Christian Church -- its also a page turner! I had no idea how interesting and hard-fought the battle was between people who thought Jesus was God Himself and those who thought he was less than God. The story is gripping. Rubenstein puts you on the streets of Alexandria and Constantinople in the fourth century and in the minds of fascinating people like Emporor Constantine and Athanasius. His vivid portraits of the main characters, and his lively descriptions of the "action," ranging from political intrigues to street riots, make an overlooked complex historical situation--one of tremendous significance--lively, colorful and comprehensible. As someone interested in conflict resolution, I was taken by the story's implications for understanding modern religious conflicts. Whether you are interested in spirituality, conflict, history, or in all three, this book will capture your imagination.
Rating:
Summary: Religious history for the curious layperson
Review: This is the story of how the Trinity became doctrine...and no, it wasn't always that way. Anyone curious about how the Church devised and adapted its understanding of the relationship between Jesus & God should read this book, which is lively and compelling.I had the misfortune (?) to read this while the Gore/Bush post-electoral battle was raging in Florida. It was hilarious to realize that the political power plays, ad hominem attacks and media ploys of modern day politics were used in abundance by 4th century bishops and churchmen....all in the name of various, subtle doctrinal battles over Jesus' divinity and humanity. I found myself longing for a sequel, since the debate over the Arian heresy was a big factor in the eventual schism between the eastern and western churches.
Rating:
Summary: A useful history of how the Athanasian heresy was forced in.
Review: Well, this book was certainly worth paying the small amount for. An excellant historical examination of how Athanasius and others forced the heresy of Trinitarianism into the Church (thus inflicting Christianity with a 'self inflicted wound' for many centuries to come) by the use of violence and politics rather than the "Back to the Bible" approach of critical analysis of the Bible text. It seems that a lot of history has been ignored/forgotten/erased by the church, as I'd: a) never heard of the Council of Rimini/Sileucia and the other councils which resulted in the adoption of Arian creeds. and b) wasnt aware of the scandolous methods used to bring about the false doctrine of the Trinity. It's quite a contrast to the cosy history usually put forward by many Trinitarians: a) Council of Nicea - Jesus declared to be God.
b) Council of Constantinople - Holy Spirit declared to be God. ... and totally ignore everything that came between. Good work there Mr Rubenstein =)
Rating:
Summary: Religious history for the curious layperson
Review: This is the story of how the Trinity became doctrine...and no, it wasn't always that way. Anyone curious about how the Church devised and adapted its understanding of the relationship between Jesus & God should read this book, which is lively and compelling. I had the misfortune (?) to read this while the Gore/Bush post-electoral battle was raging in Florida. It was hilarious to realize that the political power plays, ad hominem attacks and media ploys of modern day politics were used in abundance by 4th century bishops and churchmen....all in the name of various, subtle doctrinal battles over Jesus' divinity and humanity. I found myself longing for a sequel, since the debate over the Arian heresy was a big factor in the eventual schism between the eastern and western churches.
Rating: 
Summary: When Politics and Culture Become Theology
Review: Think that the "orthodox" doctrines of the Trinity and Jesus as Almighty God have their basis in Scripture? This well-written, fascinating book reveals that in fact they are the result of politically motivated manueverings and sociological phenomena spanning several centuries after the time of Christ. Rubenstein takes what would be dry history in the hands of a lesser-skilled writer and breathes life into it with a narrative that reads like a novel. The author reveals the conflict waged between the adherents of Arius and Athanasius, detailing its skullduggery, deception and largely secular essence, skillfully placing it within the context of the Roman Empire of the 2nd through 5th centuries. Perhaps the most striking truth to emerge from the pages of this book is how political in nature the Church had become by the 2nd and 3rd centuries. When Constantine pronounced "Christianity" as the state religion, an intimate (and often fiery) relationship between the Church and the State was established which remains to this day. While Jesus stated unequivocally that "My kingdom is no part of this world", this book shows how within a relatively short time after his death those who claimed to be his followers were not only knee-deep in politics, but that their bishops and popes had actually become quasi-political figures themselves. Ultimately, this led to the acceptance of doctrine which viewed Jesus not as an inferior Son of God who was to be imitated, but rather as Almighty God incarnate to be worshipped as part of the "divine mystery" of the Trinity. As Rubenstien explains, Greek philosophy (in the form of such non-Biblical concepts as homoiousios and homoousios) combined with theology based on politically expedient motives eventually won out. ("The Christ...wanted and needed was a High God who could save them...through the ministrations of his Church. In fact, Arian theology implicitly reduced the role of the institutional Church. If Jesus' life and character were supposed to serve ordinary Christians as a usable model of behavior, the principal mission of the clergy would be to help people transform themselves, not maintain theological and political unity throughout the empire. This was another reason Constantine would probably favor the doctrine of...Athanasius. The Church he needed was one that would help him keep order among ordinary folk..."--pg.64) "When Jesus Became God" is an excellent retelling of how politics and culture displaced Scripture in the formation of the central doctrine of "orthodox Christianity" many centuries ago. Just as significantly, the account contained within its pages establishes the precedent for subsequent, similarly politically-motivated actions of Christendom throughout history, from the Crusades and Inquisition right down to the support of Hitler and the existence of the "Religious Right."
Rating: 
Summary: Rampant Gullibility--the DVC Syndrome?
Review: Since writing an earlier review of Rubenstein's book last December, I've had occasion to read several of the other reviews. How sad! Almost all note Rubenstein's lively style (as do I), nearly all are horrified by the brutality and pettiness of the times (as again am I), but hardly anyone realizes that Rubenstein's grasp of orthodox theology is pathetically inadequate. Hence, the intellectual and spiritual vacuum that writers like Dan Brown so easily fill. The attitude seems to be this: "We've been snookered into believing stuff like the Trinity over the years, but now Rubenstein, Brown, Pagels, and others have pulled back the curtain to expose the ecclesiastical and theological 'wizards' to be nothing more than feeble little men aiming at hood-winking gullible people out of their own need for power, etc." Well, I think the challenge is for orthodox Christian thinkers to rise to the occasion and produce works that are even more compelling (to a lay audience, that is) than Rubenstein's. I continue to commend him for his style and ability to stimulate interest in a complex subject. I also continue to be amazed that he could have told this story with only skimpy and sketchy reference to the most important thinkers; he devotes a lot of space to Athanasius (including brief and radically distorted views of his beliefs)but gives only passing reference to Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nanzianzus. It's like telling the story of America and reducing the impact of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and FDR to a few lines. And the Council of Constantinople in 381 is barely mentioned at all. That's like reducing the Constitutional Convention or the Declaration of Independence to a footnote or two. The reader should be able to put the book down with a strong sense of who the major players were and what they stood for. Orthodox Christianity needs its own Rubenstein, someone who can write with the kind of verve he does and retell this story (including all the bad stuff he includes), but do so with a real grasp of Nicene theology. Readers might close their books unconvinced by orthodoxy, but at least they'll actually know what the real choices are. My own conviction, after forty years of intensive study of these matters, is that the Trinity and Chalcedonian Christology are thrilling in their spiritual implications and can run circles intellectually around sub-orthodox positions. (See David Bentley Hart's THE BEAUTY OF THE INFINITE for a recent and breath-taking example of what I mean.) I'm sure it wasn't Rubenstein's intention (I willingly assume his sincerity), but he in his own way has done his own snookering. If he stimulates others to read on and dig deeper, I can commend him for at least that much.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Enlightening
Review: Mr. Rubenstein has done a marvelous job of revealing the human side of orthodoxy and saint/heretic making and in the process has provided those who choose to inquire further, a sober pause to seriously consider the dangers of demonizing the voices of dissent whether they be religious, political or otherwise. Those who enjoyed this might too enjoy this reprint: http://www.cafeshops.com/xerosaburu.6268090 "This is an adobe acrobat pdf of an extremely rare book. This debate took place between Elder Frederick Plummer and William McCalla in Ridley, Pennsylvania over three days in 1842. The format of this 288 page book is in court reporting format as the participants in this unusual debate had court style stenographers and a board of moderators. It is quite entertaining as well as educational. You will not likely ever find something of this sort again soon. "
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Summary: The Struggle of Orthodoxy
Review: Shortly after he was crucified, the followers of Jesus began a debate into the nature of his mission. But as other elements were introducted into the mix (Greek, Pagan, Roman, Egyptian) the thrust of the movement changed radically. It was no longer about what Jesus taught or preached or even thought; it was over who he was and what his life (and death) signified. That there could be so man interpretations of Jesus is evident in the Gospels with the tension between the ethical teacher and the eschatolgical savior of mankind. By the time Christianity had become the state religion, the ethical and moral aspects had been discarded. The only question now was what was the nature of Jesus/Christ. This is the riveting story of a plain bishop who thought, quite sensibly that the Son could not be equal to the Father. It is the story of the formal approval of the divinity of Jesus the Jew and the regimentaion of thought. The idea of a Trinity was resolved and this had larger portents - the later decision by Arab monotheists to reject Christianity based on its three gods in one approach. The result was, of course, Islam. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Constantine, the newly converted emperor, called a synod to resolve the religious issue once and for all. And despite his own philosophical leanings toward the Arian "heresy" he sided - for political purposes - with those who said the Son and the Father were equal and one. Great book with much research and thought.
Rating:
Summary: Lively style--good on history--ignorant about theology
Review: Rubenstein gives us a lively account of the sad and often deplorable theological struggles of the fourth century. It's when he attempts to present the theology of Athanasius--and the theology of the the two big councils generally--that his whole thesis falls apart. Forget agreement or disagreement: he simply doesn't understand. The description of Athanasius's position (presented on pages 115-119) is so off the mark, that I challenge Rubenstein to find even one living patristics scholar (whether liberal or conservative, believing or non-believing) who would find it anything less than a dreadful--almost laughable--distortion. I'm not impugning Rubenstein's motives here; I'm rather pointing out his ignorance of the central issue. His bibliography leaves out crucial texts by GL Prestige, Aloys Grillmeier, JND Kelley, Georges Florovsky, John Meyendorff, and a host of others who could have put him on the right track. What a shame. Rubenstein is obviously a man of great gifts and a flair for popular exposition. Would that his publisher had had his text reviewed by a few experts. I'd even nominate Maurice Wiles, a great patristic scholar more than a little sympathetic with Arius and less than enchanted with Athanasius, to do the job. My plea to Rubenstein is to revise the text, keep most of the lively historical parts, but totally rework the sections on Athanasius. The good news for him: a gripping story would remain intact. The good news for the rest of us: the basic thesis would have to be significantly reworked. (One other tip: Rubenstein needs to go back into the New Testament documents themselves where the seeds of later Christological development are already starting to sprout, especially in John's gospel and the letters to the Philippians, the Colossians, and the Hebrews; he also needs to probe the writings of New Testament scholars James Dunn, Paul Anderson, Marianne Meye Thompson, Ben Witherington, Raymond Brown, Murray Harris,Frank Matera, Richard Bauckham, Robert Gundry, and Larry Hurtado, among many others.) My plea to other readers: Keep digging; accept or reject classical Christian dogma about Jesus. But, in either case, make sure it's the genuine article you're accepting or rejecting. Rubenstein simply doesn't understand traditional Nicene theology. For an elementary entry into that thought world, you could do worse than to start off with the relevant chapters in CS Lewis's MERE CHRISTIANITY. (I give the book two stars, instead of one or none, because of some gripping historical narrative and because Rubenstein brings crucial matters back into discussion for a general audience.)
Rating:
Summary: An Eye Opener
Review: This book deals with the Arian controversy of the 4th century, and how Christianity was accepted and eventually made the state religion of the Roman empire. It's a story of how the Christians went from being the oppressed to being the oppresors, and the formation of Christian theology that has dominated the religion for seventeen centuries. The two opposing views of Christ held by the followers of Arius and the followers of Athanasius led to bickering and bloodshed, all in the name of Christ, the prince of peace. Perhaps this book can shed some light on why after seventeen centuries, bloodshed and violence continue to be a part of Christianity. It is a story of power, control and politics from the 4th century that appears to be ongoing today. Recommended!
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