As one of the world’s largest religions today, it is hard to believe that Christianity started out as a single movement just 2000 years ago. Christianity has since spread to every corner of the globe, becoming a cornerstone of many countries’ cultures. This article will delve into the remarkable journey this religion has taken, examining how fast Christianity grew over the centuries and what factors influenced its spread.
Though it is impossible to pinpoint the exact date that Christianity began, according to research conducted by scholars Paul and Myles, the religion initially emerged just after the death of Jesus Christ in 27-37AD. The earliest Christian communities formed in Jerusalem and its vicinity following the supposed resurrection of Christ, and soon spread to many of the cities in the Roman Empire. Here, Christianity started out as a small and shady movement, often faced with persecution as the Romans assumed that it was a challenge to their power.
However, by the end of the 1st century, Christianity had gained a much larger following that spanned from the middle east to parts of the Roman Empire. There is evidence, for instance, that by 122AD, some form of Christianity had taken root in Syria and Armenia, several countries in Africa, as well as parts of France, Italy, and England. By 300AD, scholar estimates state that over 30% of the Roman Empire’s population had been converted.
So what caused this sudden surge in Christianity’s growth? Multiple forces were undoubtedly at play. Firstly, during this period, many of the Roman Empire’s inhabitants were more than happy to hear what Christianity had to offer- guaranteed access to the afterlife and a sense of spiritual liberation and peace. Celebrated authors such as St. Augustine, St. Paul, and Origen also played an important role, delivering powerful sermons and writings that attracted scores of new converts. Crucially, within 300AD, Christianity was endorsed by the Roman Emperor Constantine, paving the way for its acceptance and propagation.
From 300 to 500AD, large swathes of Europe, the Middle East and Africa had already become Christianised, and churches had been built in many major cities. “The sheer speed of the transformation and the multitude of conversions of the period stand out”, claims Church History Professor David Bebbington. By 538AD, every Roman province, except Scotland, had become Christianised. What’s more, by the 7th century, the religion had spread to Taiwan, Pakistan, and Central Asian cities. By 600AD, the world population was estimated to comprise over 62 million Christians.
Christianity continued to expand in the centuries that followed. By 1000AD, scholar estimates indicate that over 80% of the European population belonged to the faith. Throughout this period, missionaries, merchants and monks had contributed to its spread, often travelling to distant places and carrying the message of Christianity to foreign lands. By 1500AD, Christianity had reached practically everywhere in the world, except for some parts of East and Central Asia. All in all, the religion had grown from a seed in Jerusalem to a global phenomenon in the span of just 1500 years.
Spread of Christianity in Europe
Today, Europe is home to a number of different religious denominations, yet Christianity remains the most prominent, especially in the Western countries. In early Europe, particularly in the period of the Roman Empire (27 BC-476 AD), Christianity slowly spread from its roots in Jerusalem to the Roman Empire. Centuries later, in the 11th and 12th centuries, Christianity was firmly established in the continent and its spread was boosted by the emergence of the Roman Catholic Church and its Papacy.
Romes’ conversion of Christianity was instrumental in the spread of the faith to Britain, France, and the rest of Europe. As they spread across Europe, Christian missionaries often worked to build churches and other places of worship as well as to preach the faith. By 1000 AD, Christianity had become the dominant religion in Europe, with the Roman Catholic Church being the dominant denomination. This continued for centuries, until the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century began to break the unity of the Catholic Church and spread a variety of Protestant denominations across Europe.
Today, Christianity continues to flourish in Europe. Though Catholicism still reigns dominant in countries such as Spain and Italy, Protestant nations such as Norway, Denmark, and Finland maintain a Protestant majority. In other countries such as the United Kingdom, religious faith has greatly declined in recent decades.
Spread of Christianity in Africa
Africa offers a fascinating insight into the dynamics of Christian expansion, as it shows how Christianity managed to establish itself in ancient and tribal societies. Christianity first appeared in Egypt, due in part to the Romans, who were prominent in the region during the opening centuries of the Christian era. It then spread to Ethiopia in the 1st century. The religion’s spread through Africa, however, can be largely attributed to the large-scale missionary operations during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The rise of colonialism in the 19th century helped to further spread Christianity in Africa. European nations often imposed Christianity on Africans and sought to promote it, as it served their own interests. This led to large numbers of Africans being converted to the faith, either willingly or unwillingly. In fact, the University of Manchester in the UK estimates that by 1900, around one third of Africa’s population professed the Christian religion.
Today, despite the formidable challenge of Islam to Christianity’s place on the continent, Christianity remains the dominant religion in Africa, with up to 85% of the African population professing at least some form of the faith. Southern, as well as some Central and Eastern African countries, remain largely Christian, while some countries in the North, such as Egypt, have significant Muslim populations.
Spread of Christianity in Asia
Christianity has a long history in Asia, with strong roots going back to the first few centuries of the Christian era. Christianity’s growth was initially weakened by the Silk Road and its emphasis on connecting Asia with other cultures, religions, and gods. However, it began to gain momentum during the Middle Ages.
In the 16th century, Christianity spread throughout much of the continent as Portuguese and Spanish merchants arrived, bringing the faith with them. Catholic missionaries also played an integral role, often working to build churches and spread the gospel. Today, despite the fact that East Asia is largely dominated by Buddhism, Hinduism and other religions, Christianity has managed to establish itself in many countries. This is in part due to European missionaries, as well as to the recent influx of immigrants from the West.
Spread of Christianity in the Americas
While Christianity has had a presence in the Americas for centuries, it truly began to take root with the arrival of the European settlers in 1492. The faith was brought by Spanish and Portuguese settlers, in what is sometimes referred to as the “Age of Discovery”. These settlers built churches and pursued forceful missionary efforts, often oppressing native peoples in the process.
In North America, Christian settlers often clashed with Native American religions and cultures. Despite the harshness of their conversion efforts, Christianity eventually won out, becoming the dominant faith in the region in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the 19th century, missionaries spread the word to other parts of the continent, notably to the northern and eastern US, where Protestant denominations became prevalent. Today, Christianity is the most popular religion in the Americas, with Catholics and Protestants comprising the majority of the population.
Conclusion: Spread of Christianity Worldwide
The growth of Christianity over the centuries is truly remarkable. What started as a faith of a small group of followers in Jerusalem has gone on to become one of the world’s most dominant and influential religions. Christianity is now practiced in all continents, in vastly differing cultures and societies, and has spread to almost every nation in the world. From North and South America to Europe, Asia, and Africa, Christianity has had an impact on the beliefs, values, and lives of billions of people across the globe.
