基督教与罗马帝国的文化张力

The Cultural Tension between Christianity and the Roman Empire

基督教最初是在罗马帝国的残酷迫害之下生长起来的,在"上帝"与"恺撒"、基督教信仰与异教文化之间,始终存在着巨大的张力。在经历了长达250年的大迫害之后,基督教终于被罗马帝国所认可,但是二者之间的深刻矛盾并没有因为短暂的和解而消除,而是演化为中世纪错综复杂的教俗之争。在合法化之后,基督教面对顺境采取了两种不同的应战方式:大公会议表现了确立统一教会和争权夺利的积极姿态,修道运动则表现了与异教文化和世俗生活彻底决裂的消极姿态。

Christianity grew up against the persecution from the Roman Empire, and the great tension between God and Cesar, Christian faith and paganism was always present. After being persecuted for 250 years, Christianity was finally accepted by the Empire, but that acceptance did not mean an end of the profound conflicts. Rather, it evolved into intricate disputes between the church and the states in the Middle Age. After the legalization, Christianity took two different approaches in the relatively favorable circumstances. The series of Councils demonstrated the positive attitude aiming .at a united church and greater power; and the monasticism declared a negative posture of thoroughly renouncing paganism and secular life.