Dominion

1. The Cross: A Scandalous Symbol of Transformation

‘The mystery of the cross, which summons us to God, is something despised and dishonourable.’

Reversal of Values: The crucifixion of Jesus, a punishment reserved for slaves and the most contemptible criminals, became the central symbol of Christianity. This was a radical departure from the values of the Roman world, where power and victory were the measures of divinity. The cross, once a symbol of shame, was transformed into an emblem of triumph over sin and death.

Subversion of Power: The idea that a crucified man could be hailed as a god was scandalous to both Jews and Romans. It challenged the notion that divinity was reserved for the powerful and victorious. Instead, Christianity emphasized the importance of humility, suffering, and love, values that were often overlooked or despised in the ancient world.

Enduring Paradox: The cross remains a powerful symbol of the paradoxical nature of Christianity. It represents both the ultimate humiliation and the ultimate triumph, the suffering of humanity and the glory of the divine. This paradox continues to challenge and inspire believers, prompting them to question conventional notions of power and value.

2. Truth and Lies: The Battle for Cosmic Order

‘The man who shall be a follower of the Lie—punish him well.’

Cosmic Struggle: The Persian concept of a cosmic battle between truth (Arta) and the Lie (Drauga) influenced early Christian thought. This idea framed the world as a battleground between good and evil, with the forces of darkness constantly seeking to undermine the divine order.

Defining Truth: The Persians believed that their king, as a representative of Ahura Mazda, was charged with upholding truth and punishing falsehood. This concept of a divinely mandated ruler was echoed in other ancient cultures, including the Roman Empire, where emperors were often seen as having a quasi-divine status.

The Nature of Deception: The concept of "the Lie" extended beyond mere falsehood to encompass any challenge to the established order. This included not only political rebellion but also the worship of other gods, which were seen as demonic deceptions. This idea of a cosmic battle between truth and falsehood would later be adopted by Christians, who saw their faith as the ultimate defense against the forces of darkness.

3. The Divine and the Human: A Paradoxical Union

‘For the human spirit that believes itself to be of divine origin will thereby be emboldened in the undertaking of mighty deeds, more energetic in accomplishing them, and by its freedom from care rendered more successful in carrying them out.’

The Permeable Border: In the ancient world, the boundary between the divine and the human was often seen as permeable. Stories of heroes becoming gods were common, and rulers were often viewed as having a quasi-divine status. This belief in the possibility of human beings becoming divine was a key factor in the rise of the Roman Empire.

The Scandal of Incarnation: The Christian concept of the Incarnation, in which God became human in the person of Jesus, was a radical departure from this tradition. It challenged the notion that divinity was reserved for the powerful and the great, and instead emphasized the importance of humility and suffering.

The Suffering God: The idea that God would choose to become human and suffer the most humiliating of deaths was a scandal to many in the ancient world. It challenged the traditional understanding of divinity as something remote and untouchable, and instead emphasized the importance of compassion and empathy. This emphasis on the suffering humanity of Christ would become a central tenet of Christian belief.

4. Law and Liberty: The Tension of Divine Mandates

‘The god does not rule by issuing commands.’

Divine Law vs. Human Law: The Greeks, unlike the Persians, did not believe that their gods issued commands. Instead, they emphasized the importance of human reason and the pursuit of wisdom. This tension between divine law and human law would become a central theme in the development of Western thought.

The Challenge of Democracy: The rise of democracy in Athens challenged the traditional notion of divinely mandated rulers. It emphasized the importance of human agency and the right of the people to determine their own laws. This concept of self-governance would later be adopted by Christians, who saw it as a reflection of the freedom that they had been granted by God.

The Law of the Heart: Paul's concept of the "law written on the heart" offered a new understanding of divine law. It suggested that God's will was not merely a set of external rules, but an internal compass that guided believers towards righteousness. This idea would become a key element in the development of Christian ethics and the concept of individual conscience.

5. The Power of Belief: Shaping Identity and Society

‘For everyone would agree that it is the city’s laws which are chiefly responsible for its prosperity, its democracy and its freedom.’

Belief as Identity: In the ancient world, beliefs were often seen as defining a person's identity. This was particularly true for the Jews, who saw their faith as a covenant with God that set them apart from other peoples. This concept of belief as a marker of identity would later be adopted by Christians, who saw their faith as a universal truth that transcended national and ethnic boundaries.

The Persecuting Society: The conviction that beliefs defined a person's identity led to the development of what has been termed "a persecuting society." Those who deviated from the accepted norms of belief were often seen as a threat to the social order and were subjected to persecution. This tendency to persecute those who held different beliefs would become a recurring theme in Christian history.

The Universal Church: The Roman Church, by claiming to be "catholic" or "universal," sought to create a single, unified community of believers that transcended national and ethnic boundaries. This ambition to create a global community of faith would have a profound impact on the development of Western civilization.

6. The Enduring Legacy: Christianity's Unfolding Influence

‘Time itself has been Christianised.’

Christianization of Time: The Christian calendar, with its focus on the birth of Jesus, has become the dominant system of dating in the Western world. This has had a profound impact on how we understand history and our place within it.

Christian Concepts: Many of the concepts that we take for granted in the West, such as "religion," "secular," and "atheist," are rooted in Christian thought. These concepts have shaped our understanding of the world and our place within it.

Hidden Influence: The influence of Christianity on Western civilization is so pervasive that it has become almost invisible. Many of the values and assumptions that we take for granted are rooted in Christian teachings, even for those who do not identify as Christian. This hidden influence continues to shape our societies and our understanding of the world.

7. The Struggle for Purity: A Visceral and Enduring Quest

‘With this lament, suddenly, shockingly, we are in the presence of rupture…’

The Allure of Purity: The desire for purity, for a life free from sin and corruption, has been a powerful force in Christian history. This desire has often led to movements that sought to separate themselves from the world and to create communities of the elect.

The Dangers of Rigidity: The pursuit of purity can also lead to rigidity and intolerance. Those who are convinced of their own righteousness may be tempted to condemn and persecute those who do not share their beliefs. This tendency to persecute those who are seen as impure has been a recurring theme in Christian history.

The Paradox of Grace: The Christian concept of grace, which emphasizes the importance of God's unmerited favor, offers a counterpoint to the pursuit of purity. It suggests that salvation is not earned through human effort, but is a gift freely given by God. This paradox between the need for purity and the acceptance of grace has been a source of tension and debate throughout Christian history.

8. The Paradox of Power: Humility and Authority in Tension

‘So the last will be first, and the first last.’

The Servant King: The Christian concept of leadership is often framed in terms of service. Jesus, who was hailed as the King of Kings, emphasized the importance of humility and self-sacrifice. This paradoxical understanding of power has had a profound impact on the development of Western political thought.

The Temptation of Authority: The possession of power, even when it is exercised in the name of God, can be a source of temptation. Those who are in positions of authority may be tempted to abuse their power and to use it for their own selfish ends. This tension between the ideal of service and the reality of power has been a constant challenge for Christian leaders.

The Power of the Weak: The Christian emphasis on the importance of the poor and the marginalized has often led to the subversion of traditional power structures. Those who are seen as weak and powerless may be able to challenge the authority of the mighty and to bring about social change. This paradoxical understanding of power has been a source of both hope and fear throughout Christian history.

9. The Lure of the Future: Apocalypse and the Shaping of Time

‘For the affairs of Italy and Africa, interwoven with those of Asia and Greece, now tended towards a single end.’

Linear Time: The Christian understanding of time is linear, with a clear beginning and a clear end. This concept of time as a journey towards a final destination has had a profound impact on the development of Western thought.

Apocalyptic Expectations: The belief in an imminent apocalypse, in which the forces of good will triumph over evil, has been a powerful force in Christian history. This belief has often inspired movements for social change and has led to both hope and fear.

The End of Days: The Christian concept of the end of days, with its promise of a new heaven and a new earth, has provided a framework for understanding the meaning of history. It has also served as a source of comfort and hope for those who have suffered injustice and oppression. This vision of a future transformed by divine intervention has been a powerful force in shaping the course of Western civilization.

10. The Enduring Tension: Faith, Reason, and the Human Condition

‘It is not intelligence which guides the affairs of mortals, but Fortune.’

The Limits of Reason: The Greeks, with their emphasis on human reason, sought to understand the world through logic and observation. However, they also recognized the limits of human understanding and the role of chance in human affairs. This tension between reason and chance has been a constant theme in Western thought.

The Role of Faith: Christianity, with its emphasis on divine revelation, offered an alternative to the Greek emphasis on reason. It suggested that there were truths that could not be grasped through human intellect alone, but that required faith. This tension between faith and reason has been a source of debate and conflict throughout Christian history.

The Human Condition: The Christian understanding of the human condition is marked by a deep sense of both human potential and human limitations. It recognizes the capacity of human beings for both good and evil, and emphasizes the importance of both grace and free will. This complex and often paradoxical understanding of the human condition continues to shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Last updated: January 14, 2025