Rating: 
Summary: History -- not diatribe
Review: I am delighted with this book because it presents the facts
about early christianity without going into a diatribe in
some particular direction. This is a book about the documented
history of christianity -- not pro christian dogma and not
anti-christian diatribe. While documentation is not the end
of every possible controversy (in fact the book brings up new
questions) it is at least helpful to know what information can
in fact be found -- and to know what is not to be found.
Rating: 
Summary: Horrible writting syte, but great content
Review: MacMullen has studied his butt off to get all of the info that is in this book. His problem is that he has a horrible writing style. I would compare it to an educated professor who has been drinking. He sounds really intelligent and makes a lot of sense, but all of the sudden you don't know what he's talking about.Anyway, the content of this book is incredible. He not only discusses what Christianity was like in the first three centuries, he covers extensively how Christianity emerged from the underground sect it was to be the leader of all other religions. The conclusions he comes up with are not only correct, but they are horrifying. I understand that this man is not a Christian. If that is true, then it is astonding how this man came up with these conclusions. Many Christians have the view that Christianity needs to be in the government and in the schools. MacMullen's study of a nation that took that route will have any Moral Majority member think twice about their current soapbox. If you want the truth of what really happened durring the fourth century, what happens when a nation tries to make everyone Christian, and you are willing to push through MacMullen's writing style, then you are in for a huge awakening. He has a huge bibliography in the back too. Its actually almost half the book.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible writting syte, but great content
Review: MacMullen has studied his butt off to get all of the info that is in this book. His problem is that he has a horrible writing style. I would compare it to an educated professor who has been drinking. He sounds really intelligent and makes a lot of sense, but all of the sudden you don't know what he's talking about. Anyway, the content of this book is incredible. He not only discusses what Christianity was like in the first three centuries, he covers extensively how Christianity emerged from the underground sect it was to be the leader of all other religions. The conclusions he comes up with are not only correct, but they are horrifying. I understand that this man is not a Christian. If that is true, then it is astonding how this man came up with these conclusions. Many Christians have the view that Christianity needs to be in the government and in the schools. MacMullen's study of a nation that took that route will have any Moral Majority member think twice about their current soapbox. If you want the truth of what really happened durring the fourth century, what happens when a nation tries to make everyone Christian, and you are willing to push through MacMullen's writing style, then you are in for a huge awakening. He has a huge bibliography in the back too. Its actually almost half the book.
Rating:
Summary: What "Conversion" to Christianity Meant, 100-400 A.D.
Review: MacMullen's portraits of how people of the Empire became "Christians" are indelible -- and possibly, to some, disturbing. His account of how masses, crowds, throngs -- were "converted" to Christianity at the same time, on the same occasion, is riveting and thought-provoking. MacMullen describes too the very real, "everyday," yet typically, today, minimized, way miracles led to conversion and the Christianizing of the Roman Empire. Indeed, MacMullen's assessment (buttressed by his nearly exclusive reliance on primary sources) of what conversion meant in the first centuries after Christ is the heart of the book. MacMullen deploys indefatigable erudition (don't shrug off the footnotes: they contain some of the best writing in the book) and expresses himself with style, even grace, a thoughtful man writing authoritatively -- if at times iconoclastically -- about a crucial passage in the development of Christianity and rise of the West.
Rating:
Summary: What "Conversion" to Christianity Meant, 100-400 A.D.
Review: MacMullen's portraits of how people of the Empire became "Christians" are indelible -- and possibly, to some, disturbing. His account of how masses, crowds, throngs -- were "converted" to Christianity at the same time, on the same occasion, is riveting and thought-provoking. MacMullen describes too the very real, "everyday," yet typically, today, minimized, way miracles led to conversion and the Christianizing of the Roman Empire. Indeed, MacMullen's assessment (buttressed by his nearly exclusive reliance on primary sources) of what conversion meant in the first centuries after Christ is the heart of the book. MacMullen deploys indefatigable erudition (don't shrug off the footnotes: they contain some of the best writing in the book) and expresses himself with style, even grace, a thoughtful man writing authoritatively -- if at times iconoclastically -- about a crucial passage in the development of Christianity and rise of the West.
Rating:
Summary: Solid History
Review: Many of the reviews below are excellent, so this will be short. Throughout, the book bases its arguments solely on evidence of which there is a paucity for this time period. MacMullens strength however is beyond the examination of the evidence. He appears to set aside any attempt to spiritualize this time period or romanticize the practice of Xianity therein. Some his statements are surprising (e.g., that ater Paul, there is virtually no evidence of itinerant evangelism explicitly aimed at UNbelievers/ NONchristians), and most of these are arguments from silence though very probable in light of other evidence. Overall, this work is thorough, concise, and respectable. It achieves an examination of the early Christian faith as history while repudiating any attempts to use the primitive faith as a modern pulpit from which to preach. The book is quite concise, but its contents are so pithy as to prove to be an inspiration and guide for much further investigation.
Rating: 
Summary: How Christianity Conquered Rome: The Untold Story
Review: Ramsay MacMullen is the author of Christianizing the Roman Empire. MacMullen is the Dunham Professor of History and Classics at Yale University. On January 5, of 2001 he was the recipient of a lifetime Award for Scholarly Distinction from the American Historical Association. The citation begins, "Ramsay MacMullen is the greatest historian of the Roman Empire alive today." Obviously the author is eminently qualified for his research for this work. Christianity grew dramatically from the day of Pentecost to the year 400 through mass conversations. At the end of the first century, the church held a minimal significance in Roman society. It simply "did not count." Within three centuries it included ten percent of the population and had displaced the other religions of the empire. In Christianizing the Roman Empire MacMullen addresses the factors for this amazing growth. The author demonstrates that these mass conversions first came through the power of miracles and later through the social advantage of becoming a Christian. As such, MacMullen is diminishing the value of Christian piety and the testimony of martyrs as reasons for the mass evangelization. The book is divided into two sections, which are the times prior to 312 and after 312 (Constantine's "conversion" in 312 and the Edict of Milan in 313). He first examines what Pagans of the culture believed. Then he looks at what Christians presented to the Pagans about this new faith, and how they presented it. The influence of Constantine is examined, as are the non-religious factors that led to conversions. MacMullen then looks at evangelical campaigns after 312, including the conversion of intellectuals. Finally he looks at the quality of the conversions and those that were won through coercion. I found MacMullen's research and use of sources of the highest quality. The book contains forty-three pages of endnotes and commentary by the author about the endnotes. In addition, the biography is extensive and would be of great value for those desiring to do additional research on the subject. He uses many sources to verify his thesis that Christian miracles during the early years and favored advantage in the former years, rather than Christian love, piety, and courage in martyrdom, resulted in the dramatic growth of the church. MacMullen's research confirmed that Christianity becoming the Roman State religion strongly diluted the spiritual nature of the church. Christianizing the Roman Empire is an outstanding work of research by an eminently qualified authority. I found the material fascinating. Some of it attacked my pre-conceived notions, while other aspects of the book confirmed my reasoned suspicions. The book is written for those who already have some knowledge and study in church history during this era in Rome. Though MacMullen obviously is writing this book to an educated audience, the writing style is not nearly as high quality as his research. The first two chapters may cause some sincere readers to give up on the book before they have an opportunity to enjoy its valuable contribution. Despite its shortcomings, I would highly recommend Christianizing the Roman Empire to those with a high interest in learning more about this period of Roman and church history.
Rating:
Summary: How Christianity Conquered Rome: The Untold Story
Review: Ramsay MacMullen is the author of Christianizing the Roman Empire. MacMullen is the Dunham Professor of History and Classics at Yale University. On January 5, of 2001 he was the recipient of a lifetime Award for Scholarly Distinction from the American Historical Association. The citation begins, "Ramsay MacMullen is the greatest historian of the Roman Empire alive today." Obviously the author is eminently qualified for his research for this work. Christianity grew dramatically from the day of Pentecost to the year 400 through mass conversations. At the end of the first century, the church held a minimal significance in Roman society. It simply "did not count." Within three centuries it included ten percent of the population and had displaced the other religions of the empire. In Christianizing the Roman Empire MacMullen addresses the factors for this amazing growth. The author demonstrates that these mass conversions first came through the power of miracles and later through the social advantage of becoming a Christian. As such, MacMullen is diminishing the value of Christian piety and the testimony of martyrs as reasons for the mass evangelization. The book is divided into two sections, which are the times prior to 312 and after 312 (Constantine's "conversion" in 312 and the Edict of Milan in 313). He first examines what Pagans of the culture believed. Then he looks at what Christians presented to the Pagans about this new faith, and how they presented it. The influence of Constantine is examined, as are the non-religious factors that led to conversions. MacMullen then looks at evangelical campaigns after 312, including the conversion of intellectuals. Finally he looks at the quality of the conversions and those that were won through coercion. I found MacMullen's research and use of sources of the highest quality. The book contains forty-three pages of endnotes and commentary by the author about the endnotes. In addition, the biography is extensive and would be of great value for those desiring to do additional research on the subject. He uses many sources to verify his thesis that Christian miracles during the early years and favored advantage in the former years, rather than Christian love, piety, and courage in martyrdom, resulted in the dramatic growth of the church. MacMullen's research confirmed that Christianity becoming the Roman State religion strongly diluted the spiritual nature of the church. Christianizing the Roman Empire is an outstanding work of research by an eminently qualified authority. I found the material fascinating. Some of it attacked my pre-conceived notions, while other aspects of the book confirmed my reasoned suspicions. The book is written for those who already have some knowledge and study in church history during this era in Rome. Though MacMullen obviously is writing this book to an educated audience, the writing style is not nearly as high quality as his research. The first two chapters may cause some sincere readers to give up on the book before they have an opportunity to enjoy its valuable contribution. Despite its shortcomings, I would highly recommend Christianizing the Roman Empire to those with a high interest in learning more about this period of Roman and church history.
Rating:
Summary: The Best History for History's Sake! No Games.
Review: Ramsay MacMullen's history of Christianity is brilliant. This is not the hokey stuff that is passed off as Critical Ancient History by the busybodies of various movements. You are in the right place. Marilyn Vos Savant says, "An expert is a person who not only knows everything that can be learned about a subject, but also knows which of that stuff is wrong". MacMullen is not easy to read. There will be some struggling. It is worth it! He is a master historian of the Roman Empire. I absolutely love his work. Read everything you can get your hands on. You will be astonished! MacMullen is highly respected by the members of the Association of Ancient Historians.(his fellow Pro's) You will learn why this is so. And maybe, how you were earlier conned, but you were too naive to know. I loathe those who abuse history to further their cause and make themselves look good! It makes me want to vomit.
Charlie Turek, Magician, Order of Merlin
Rating:
Summary: "This Work Adds to Traditional Views on Christianization"
Review: Ramsey MacMullen has much to offer contemporary scholarship on the much-discussed and always open-ended problem of Christianization in the Roman Empire. MacMullen systematically renders an insightful overview of the different transitions in the process of Christianization as follows: first the period from New Testament evangelism (as found in the Epistles and the Acts) to Constantine's conversion, and the period following after the emperor's conversion all the way to AD 407. MacMullen does not discount the more customary viewpoints held by scholars such as Edward Gibbon and J.B. Bury, or, for that matter, traditional ecclesiastical interpretation as well; he does add to them though; and this is his most remarkable feat. He manages to maintain a balance between the secular and the ecclesiastical, in turn offering food-for-thought for all readers. Ramsey MacMullen's work deserves praise and possible precedence even over the renowned scholar Peter Brown's works, which bear a similarity to R.M.'s but lack the same objectivity. While his style of prose is a bit unseasonable and skewed at times, the work, overall, will undoubtedly come as a relief and reward to anyone yet to be familiar with it.
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