steps. With the maelstrom of different cults and religions which surrounded it, Christianity was somewhat vulnerable. Being one of the minority of religious faiths that sought to convert others, Christianity began to distinguish itself from the crowd. "As Christianity took over the empire it needed urgently to define its own doctrines. Above all it must decide who Christ was" (Murray p.32).One of the ways in which Christianity drew the amount of followers which it did was to increase its appeal to the people of the times. When new movements are started they often draw their strength from those members of society who seek hope, generally the less wealthy and unfortunate who want to improve their state, who want something to believe in, "they direct their appeal to the poor, the downtrodden, the disenherited, who are filled with fierce resentment toward those superior to them socially, intellectually, and economically" (Larson p.427). people who walk through life with this frame of mind are easily won to a cause, especially one which offers the rewards given by Christianity. A faith which provides the redemption of sins along with, and most importantly, the concept of an immortal soul which will spend eternity in paradise after gaining salvation. Few religions other than Christianity offered long term rewards such as these. "no pagan cult held out promise of afterlife for the worshiper as he knew and felt himself to be. Resurrection in the flesh was thus a truth proclaimed to be a decisive advantage of the church" (Macmullen p.136).As Christianity started to build its foundation and establish its doctrines it was not without heavy criticism from pagan philosophers and other non-Christian scholars. The critics of Christianity eagerly advanced upon this new and barely established religion. One of the biggest questions that arose through this criticism was if Jesus were considered as a man or as God. Because since Christians refer...
