At the height of the Roman Empire, Christianity was a small movement of deemed ‘heretics’. When the Roman Empire dissolved in the fifth century, the spread of Christianity was left to the independent nations that sprouted. One of those nations, Britain, brought the religion to its isles from as early as the early 7th century.
The method of how Britain managed to spread Christianity within its own faith is a complicated one, made up of a variety of different techniques. Some of these techniques can be attributed to the people who willingly joined the movement, while others are a result of policies and decisions made by rulers at the time, who undoubtedly had their own stakes in the matter.
One of the main methods of how Christianity spread in Britain was through missionary work. The first British missionaries, who braved their lives to go beyond the boundaries of the country, largely hailed from the Celtic Christian Church. These missionaries brought Christianity to pagan Germanic and Viking tribes, creating pamphlets and other tools in order to educate them on the faith.
The other main way Christianity spread in Britain was by royal intervention. British Rulers, such as Athelstan, Ethelbert and Alfred the Great, used their authority to link their own nation with the Church; enforcing acts that favoured the Christian faith and religion. This is evidenced by Alfred’s decision to make ‘a large and splendid Crucifix’ for the Church, as well as numerous other incentives adopted by him to further the faith.
There are also non-tangible factors that contributed to the spread of Christianity in Britain. Although difficult to determine experimentally, popular sentiment likely played a part in the proliferation of this particular religious tradition. We can assume that the positive associations people had with Christianity, such as the ability to have access to prayer and a moral code that provided some sense of certainty against a changing world, was influential in their decision to the faith.
The spread of Christianity in Britain did not occur in one fell swoop. Rather, it was a gradual process, with one tiny victory connected to another. However, it is without question that with this spread of Christianity, came a period of immense advancement throughout the country. As more and more people adopted the faith, a code of conduct was established that in many ways, culminated in a peaceful and more prosperous Britain.
Social Networking Calls
Apart from missionary work, Britain also adopted other methods to spread Christianity. One of these was through the use of calls made to friends and family. This is non-tangible, but it worked in much the same way that social networking works today. People who had adopt the faith were encouraged to communicate with their friends and family, inviting them to join the movement. This type of word-of-mouth advertising can be seen as one of the major driving forces behind the successful spread of Christianity in Britain.
Social networking calls could also have had an effect on areas where missionaries had not traveled. As people spread the news of the faith, the details of Christianity would have spread to all corners of Britain. This caused more people, who may not have been aware of the faith due to their location, to become interested in the religion.
These calls also created a sense of community in regions that’re traditionally more lenient towards Christianity. As people shared stories of their own involvement in the faith, it fostered a collective urgency among the people to bring Christianity to their own home town or village.
Ultimately, social networking calls had a huge impact in the spread of Christianity in Britain. When used together with missionary work and royal edicts, the effectiveness of Christianity within the country was significantly improved.
Permeation of Christianity
The permeation of Christianity in Britain likely had an effect on the rest of Europe. This is because it was during this period when the actual movement of Christianity began. Its roots can be traced back to the British Isles, hence historians refer to England as the “cradle of Christianity.”
The permeation of Christianity in Britain allowed it to travel to other parts of Europe with ease. As people traveled and migrated, they helped spread the faith by sharing the message of Christianity and appealing to the various denominations that already existed.
This type of spread is similar to the methods we now use in digital media. Social media platforms, emails and other digital mediums are convenient ways to communicate with one another and to spread news and ideas. During this time, Christianity was largely spread through oral stories and communication.
It is highly probable that the emergence of Christianity in places beyond Britain would not have been possible had other nations such as Italy, France and Germany not adopted the faith from its British roots. This is why the spread of Christianity in Britain is deemed as a key factor to its successful growth throughout the region.
Criticism
The spread of Christianity in Britain has not been without criticism. Many critique that the Christian faith was adopted without any regard for the beliefs and practices of other indigenous peoples. This is especially true during the more forceful attempts to spread the faith, such as through intimidating tactics and using the backing of the aristocracy.
There were also those who were critical of the spread of Christianity in Britain due to its oppressive nature. Since the religion was adopted from a hierarchical system, it was often used to control the lower rungs of society and for rulers to implement laws and legislation that were in their own favor.
In spite of these criticisms, the spread of Christianity had beneficial effects for many people in Britain. The spread of Christianity brought with it a religious principles and values that were adopted throughout Britain, and arguably, were the foundations of how the nation is currently run.
The Church also provided numerous social and medical facilities that were instrumental in providing assistance to those who did have access to the basics. This is especially true during the more difficult periods post-Roman era, when infrastructure and support was greatly needed.
Impact of Reformation
The spread of Christianity was accelerated when the Protestant Reformation occurred in 16th century. This was due to the central role the Church continued to play in the affairs of British society. The reformation provided new avenues for the Church and allowed it to reach out to more people through new outlets, such as newspapers and pamphlets.
The reformation also caused an influx of new beliefs and ideas about Christianity. This changed the way Christianity was perceived, with some people less accepting of its principles. This created further friction between those who held to traditional practices and those who were willing to be open to change.
The result of these changes was a more divided Britain, with new factions emerging from the conflict. The relatively peaceful spread of Christianity that had occurred earlier was now replaced with a more partisan divide. This was especially true when Charles I, who sought to establish an absolute monarchy, was overthrown.
Ultimately, the impact of the reformation was a more divided Britain in terms of religious ideological, with the Protestant denomination gaining widespread acceptance while Protestant dissenters began to rise.
Counter-Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was eventually followed by the Counter-Reformation, which was a period of spiritual renewal and revival that led to a resurgence of faith and what some might refer to as a “spiritual awakening.” This period began when Pope Paul IV issued the Index of Forbidden Books, a listing of books deemed heretical.
The counter-reformation, as many refer to it, primarily sought to combat the rise of Protestantism and bring back the Catholic Church’s authority in the religious sphere. It was during this period that new saints were appointed, new religious orders were introduced, and new churches were built.
This period of revival also saw a renewed dedication to expanding the faith. Missionary work was taken up by the church, with a newfound zeal and intent, with missionaries going to far corners of the world to spread their message.
The counter-reformation not only affected Britain, but other regions as well. It led to a more unified understanding of the Christian faith, allowing for a theological reconciliation between Catholic and Protestant denominations in many countries.
The Present Day
Today, the spread of Christianity in Britain has come a long way, with Christians comprising a large part of the population. The faith is no longer seen as only a minority religion and has instead integrated into the common consciousness of the nation.
Christianity has also become much more accomodating to different points of view and beliefs. This is seen in the acceptance of gay marriage and other progressive ideals, something that would have been considered an impossibility a few centuries ago.
Ultimately, the spread of Christianity in Britain was not an easy process but one was fraught with many difficulties. It required arduous missionary work, political action, and a sense of martyrdom. Nevertheless, the spread of Christianity in Britain is a testament to the power faith can have in bringing people together to work toward the betterment of their communities and the world at large.
