ABSTRACT
Christianity, at first, was preached by Jews to Jews, as a reformed Judaism. The certainties of Judaism made it attractive in that age of dissolving faiths, but circumcision was an obstacle to the conversion of men. The view that the Jews were the Chosen People remained, however, obnoxious to Greek pride. Gnostics and Manichaeans continued to flourish until the government became Christian. The attitude of Christians to contemporary Jews early became hostile. In proportion as Christianity became hellenized, it became theological. Jewish theology was always simple. The synthesis of Greek philosophy and Hebrew scriptures remained more or less haphazard and fragmentary until the time of Origen. The power of bishops in great cities was enhanced by the practice of almsgiving: the offerings of the faithful were administered by the bishop, who could give or withhold charity to the poor. Miracles certainly played a very large part in Christian propaganda.
