Soldiering for God: Christianity and the Roman Army (Brill, 2010)
My book argues that the religious attitude of the Roman army was a crucial factor in the Christianization of the Roman world. Specifically, by the end of the third century, there was a significant Christian presence within the army which was ready to act in the interests of the faith. Conditions at this time were thus ripe for the coming to power of a Christian emperor: when Constantine converted to Christianity he could rely upon the enthusiastic support of his Christian soldiers. Constantine strengthened his Christian base by initiating policies which accelerated the Christianization of the army. The continuation of these policies by Christian Roman emperors eventually allowed them to use the military as a vehicle for the suppression of paganism and heretical Christian sects.
More information about the book can be found at: http://www.brill.com/soldiering-god
Reviews:
- Colling, David. 2011. Review. Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2011.10.41. http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2011/2011-10-41.html
- Nakashian, Craig. 2011. Review. De Re Militari. http://www.deremilitari.org/REVIEWS/Shean_Soldiering4God.htm
- Quinn, Dennis. 2011. Review. Religious Studies Review Volume 37, Issue 2, page 139.
- Hoss, Stephanie. 2012. Review. Sehepunkt. 12.4. http://www.sehepunkte.de/2012/04/19472.html
- Nofi, Albert. 2012. NYMAS Review Volume 51, Winter-Spring 2012.
- Jensen, Carsten Selch. 2012. Dansk Teologisk Tidsskrift 75. årg., 2012.
- Blog discussion: http://riversfromeden.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/christians-in-the-roman-army-countering-the-pacifist-narrative/
- Reviews on GoodReads.com
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