Why Christians Should Be Thinking About the Roman Empire

As a Christian, in some ways, we should always be thinking about the Roman Empire.

In recent weeks, there has been a growing trend of wives asking their husbands an unconventional question: "How often do you think about the Roman Empire?" Videos have surfaced with various responses, ranging from "three times a day" to "maybe once or twice a month." (You can check out a fun video on this trend below).

One exchange that stood out was between a daughter and her father. When she posed the question, he replied, "Every time I sit down on a toilet, I think about how the Romans revolutionized the sewage system." This is a fitting moment to express gratitude to the Romans for their advancements in sewage drains.

While this may initially seem like an odd inquiry, it sparks a fascinating discussion about the relevance of history in our modern lives. For Christians, in particular, thinking about the Roman Empire is important.

You may be wondering, "Wasn't the Roman Empire the enemy of Christians? Weren't they responsible for crucifying Jesus? Why should we be thinking about them?" And yes, all of this is true. Rome was not portrayed as an ally in the New Testament. In A.D. 70, Titus destroyed Jerusalem, and the Roman Empire cast a shadow over the Israelites as the new Babylon.

It Helps Us Understand the New Testament Era Church.

However, as Christians, we should contemplate the Roman Empire because we should have a deep understanding of the New Testament. Our focus should be on studying our Bibles and discerning the message that God is trying to convey. We need to explore the context, characters, settings, and situations that were "God-breathed" (2 Tim. 3:16).

Without knowledge of the Roman Empire, we would fail to understand that Matthew betrayed his people by becoming a tax collector and aligning himself with the Romans. We would overlook Pilate's conniving acts as he tried to please Rome and maintain his position without inciting too much violence. We would miss the similarities between Israel during the Babylonian exile and Israel under Roman rule.

By ignoring the Roman Empire, we would have a limited comprehension of the circumstances that Jesus and His disciples encountered during His earthly ministry. Understanding the looming threat that hung over the Jews prior to, during, and after Jesus' ministry enriches our interpretation. It resembles Star Wars and its Empire, where everyone operates under the thumb of a cruel authority.

Yet, the difference we see is that Jesus conquered Rome's rule through His life, death, resurrection, and authority. In Matthew 28:18, He declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Jesus held authority over all things, including the Roman Empire. He inspired His disciples to go out, proclaim the Gospel, and stand up against the Roman Empire. They were no longer bound by the fear of persecution to declare, "Caesar is Lord." Instead, they boldly proclaimed, "Jesus is Lord" amidst the persecution they faced.

This resonates through the story of Perpetua, the heroine of Martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas. Despite being a young woman nursing an infant, she was sentenced to death by Septimus Severus. Her father tried to persuade her to abandon her faith for the sake of her own life, but she declared that "everything has a name, and it is useless to try to change it." She knew her name was written in heaven, and nothing could alter that. What courage she displayed in the face of the Empire.

We see that the opposition Christians faced was significant, yet it was ultimately powerless compared to the power of Christ.

It Helps Us Understand the Similarities Today

Studying the Roman Empire also helps us understand the similarities we see in our world today. During a visit to Rome a few years ago, a friend acted as our tour guide through the city center. He made a statement that has stuck with me ever since. He said that the patrons of the Roman Empire were known for being stingy with their finances and careless with their bodies. Does this sound familiar?

We can observe that history repeats itself over and over again. People are sinful, rulers conquer, and the world does not naturally gravitate towards Christ. Until Jesus returns to make all things new, the world will continue to descend into tyranny and terror.

Many people believe the world is at its worst today, and therefore, Jesus' return is imminent. They expect the world to be in ruins when Jesus comes back for the second time. However, when we look back at the Roman Empire, we can see that debauchery existed in the past and will persist until Jesus eradicates it.

We must not romanticize any era in history. The time of our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or ancestors was not necessarily "better" than today. We must recognize the prevailing sin in the hearts of people and understand that the only solution is the Gospel.

It Helps Us Understand Our Response.

Consciously considering the Roman Empire and its impact on Christians and society enables us to determine the appropriate response. How did the Christians in the New Testament era respond? Many boldly proclaimed the Gospel despite facing imprisonment, abandonment, and death.

We can appreciate the benefits brought by the Roman Empire, such as grapes, aqueducts, and plumbing, while also addressing the negative influence it has had on culture. Too many people seek personal conquest instead of acknowledging the conquering Christ. We must stand up for truth and continue to live as a faithful remnant amidst the Roman Empire. We must be willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel and live for the Kingdom of God rather than the Roman Empire.

So, the next time you think about the Roman Empire, consider what it means about the Bible.