When Jesus Became God: The Struggle to Define Christianity during the Last Days of Rome

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Summary: A theologically accurate account of the Arian controversy
Review: This is a description of the Arian controversy starting with the great persecution of the Christian churches under emperor Domitian and ending with the reign of Theodosius, which witnessed the final triumph of so-called orthodoxy and the imposition of Christianity as the Roman state religion.

"When Jesus became God" is a history book written in the conventional manner focusing on events, by which I mean that you won't find here savoury details on the menu at the famous Council of Nicea or the wardrobe of the bishops attending the meeting. This is not a dry factual description, though: the style is lively and the whole story, as retold by Rubenstein, is simply engrossing and very easy to read.

Since one reviewer below has challenged the theological accuracy of this book, let me point out for people who care about such matters that "When Jesus became God" gives an absolutely accurate description of both Arian and Athanasian theology. Rubenstein has read all the authorities on the controversy and while some fanatic Trinitarians may be shocked to hear something positive about Arius'views of God and Christ, the fact is that Rubenstein doesn't distort anybody's position. To claim that he has is downright slanderous.

"When Jesus became God" is full of extremely interesting facts, things one doesn't hear much about since Orthodoxy crushed the Arian movement: as we all know, history telling belongs to the victors. How many of us for example know that the biggest oecumenical council was Arian? That not just haughty aristocrats and soldiers but barbers and shopkeepers sided with Arius?

I have only one regret: the book hasn't much to say about the Arian church itself, its rituals, the organisation of its clergy, etc. One doesn't really come to feel what it meant to be an Arian in the fourth century AD. I also regret not having found more information on the development of the Arian church among the barbarians, specially the Wisigoths. The book focuses primarily on the East and the long struggle between the two sides until Theodosius put an end to the Arian heresy in his empire. The fierce debate between Arius and Athanasius takes up about one third of the book, most of it is devoted to the aftermath of the Council of Nicea.

This is an excellent book. I highly recommend it to all open-minded people, whether Christian or non-Christian.

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Summary: At last, someone not prejudiced against the truth
Review: The historical argumentation might be a little difficult to follow sometimes. But it's still a highly commendable read for those interested in the developings of Early Christianity.
Mind you, if you really want to know, please, read the Gospels (starting with John's gospel), Acts of the Apostles and Paul's letters.
One thing that stands out clearly visible when reading some reviewers' comments here is they haven't really read the Bible, or even the Gospels, withoug thinking in terms of TRADITION.
Don't get biased by it! The truth is only one. And it's plainly and beautifully exposed! God's word is all we need, not amendments, not merely human-made theories that darken the original message.
This book is but a small example of how to write accurately, at least from a biblical point of view, about how Jesus ended up being made God by humans who weren't interested in spreading out the true meaning of his message. They were busy tring to use that message to gain political, economical, social favour. The favour of men, not of God.


Rating:
Summary: Well written and unbiased
Review: Being a freethinker I was not sure how this book might come across. I have to say though that I found it highly imformative and unbiased. If you're just getting started in reading about christian history this is a great start. Keeping track of the "players" may be somewhat taxing, but it is well worth the struggle. Christians might be surprised to know how much political manuvering and religious violence went into the development of their sacred text. The only thing that bothered was Rubenstein's scant mentioning of Hypatia, the neo-platonic philosopher, mathematician, teacher, and astrologer, who was killed by a rioting christian mob, who stripped her naked and cut her into pieces. To find out more about Hypatia and Arianism I would suggest the website wikipedia.