Chapter 8-10

I have come to the conclusion that Ms. Armstrong is not a fan of Christianity in Jerusalem.  Constantly throughout these chapters, she seems to have a derogatory tone when she discusses Christian’s presence in Jerusalem.  She seems to constantly question Christian’s legitimacy when they claim a site is holy.  According to Armstrong, “Jerusalem had no special status on the Christian map” (171).  Christianity was not based on one site like Judaism focused around the temple.  One of the main teachings Jesus taught was one can find God anywhere.  Armstrong explains this when she talks about Origen who believed one would get “a spiritual experience by visiting a mere geographical location” (171).  This is true in the teachings I grew up with, we are supposed to live like Jesus, like a poor man, and you are able to be close to God at any place in the world.  Also, she states at first, Christians thought Jerusalem was a “Guilty City” because it is where Jesus was betrayed.  However, she then uses this fact to question why Christians move back and make a claim to Jerusalem.  “As soon as the tomb had been discovered…Christians started to evolve their own mythology” (183).  According to Armstrong, Christian at the time “claimed” that this cave was the tomb with little proof and therefore reformed their religion to make claims in Jerusalem.  I do not think Armstrong is saying important events of the religion did not happen in Jerusalem, but I believe she is presenting an argument that Christians should not be able to make claims to this land.

I also question her knowledge of certain aspects of the history of Christianity.  According to Armstrong, “he had very little understanding of its theology and delayed his baptism until he was on his deathbed, he would continue to be loyal to the church” (175).  Constantine has been thought of as a man who did try and study theology and learn as much as he could about Christianity and not getting baptized until one is on his deathbed was a common practice in early Christianity.  At this time in history, sacraments were not instituted and baptism was seen as a way to cleanse away all earthly sins.  Thus it made sense for people at this time to wipe their sins right before they died.   I believe she does not have an understanding of the history of Christianity and therefore she comes off, to me, as slightly biased against Christianity.