Christianity is one of the major religions and is based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ as written in the New Testament of the Bible. People adhering to the faith are called Christians. The religion teaches Jesus as the Son of God and the one who will come back to save humanity. Since its inception, Christianity was regarded as a one of many sects of Judaism, and had to make competition with many of established religions and cults, which had been long established and formed an essential component of the dominant culture. From its inception all through to 500 A.D., it met strong opposition from the public and states, and many regarded it with disgust and believed its believers and followers to be dissolute, atheists, and adversaries of public wellbeing (Latourette 13).
In the spread of Christianity, the Roman Empire had profound influence in its success. The abolishment of war in the borders of realms and rebellions, and establishment of trade routes by the then Emperor allowed Christianity to flourish and this created authority among the Christians making Christianity the most strongest religion in the Mediterranean . Despite of its so many obstacles, Christianity prevailed and by 500 A.D. it was the most professed faith in the region.
The major impact of Christianity on the Mediterranean world between its Birth and 500 A.D is that it brought hope and will of optimism among the people (Engels 37). Before Christianity, slavery was much widespread and implementation of Christian teachings eliminated this vice completely. Sports amusements involving human targets where also eliminated bringing value to human life. Christianity teachings and establishment of learning processes boosted human development in the region, and this encouraged people’s participation and innovation leading to new way of life which brought hope and optimism to the majority of the people. This was also done to ensure the gospel was spread fast to the atheists and non-believers. This eventually became the origin of public education which is currently practiced in every part of the world. The education system established by Christianity also helped realize other important societal elements such as legal and justice systems. In respect to the will of hope and optimism, another achievement of Christianity on the Mediterranean world between its birth and 500 A.D relates to origin of hospitals and healthcare. According to the Bible, people used different medicinal plants and miracles to heal. This formed the basis of modern medical practice and healthcare systems. After Jesus ascended to heaven, Christians began to make positive impacts by encouraging appropriate healthcare practices .This led to establishment of health facilities in churches and convents, and this alleviated the public sufferings in respect to disease prevention, treatment, and management (Dowd 38). In early years, individuals in the region where less concerned with the needs of other people, and with poor economic, social, political, and climatic conditions, most of the people where poor and Christianity encouraged people to help the needy and also feed the poor. This philanthropic work was practiced by Christians later afterwards (Judith et al. 29).
With its sound and astounding influence, Christianity won a large number of followers, and it addressed social grievances faced by many people in the region, where slaves, poor city dwellers and ejected farmers found hope in a religion which guaranteed everlasting rewards after their deaths. In conclusion, hope was the greatest impact and achievement of Christianity around the Mediterranean world and it was a positive phenomenon because it helped save lives and restored lost hope to people.
Works Cited
Dowd, Michael. ‘Evolutionary Christianity.’ Journal of Theology. 2(4): 34-46.
Engels, Frederick. ‘On the history early Christianity. ‘Die Neue Zeit. 1(5): 36-43.
Judith Coffin, Robert Stacey, Joshua Cole & Carol Symes. Western Civilizations. 17th edition.
New York W. W. Norton & Company.2011.Print.
Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A History of Christianity. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1953.Print.
