Anna Luise Klafs: Secularization tendencies in Late Antiquity

Observing processes in the realms of religion and society in modern age and the first centuries AD we find structural similarities causally determined by a broad loss of plausibility of the officially recognised religious codification. By using sociological questions referring to the modern renunciation from Christian doctrines for an analysis of the first three centuries AD we take advantage of such similarities in both periods. The methodology used is derived from sociologists such as Max Weber and Niklas Luhmann, whose sociological approaches are utilised as hermeneutical keys to Christian literature, epigraphic sources and archeological finds of the first three centuries AD up to the time of Cyprian of Carthage. As representative of a hierarchical structured Ekklesia in a becoming Christian society Cyprian constitutes the chronological landmark of processes that took place before Christianity would become the official recognized religion in Constantine era.Therefore sociological approaches such as Max Weber´s question of modern changes in the concept of the individual or Luhmann's observation of changing symbolized communication are extended to the period of ancient Christianity, giving us information about societal transformations caused by the successive renunciation of Roman religion and the elevation of Christianity. It is expected, that sociological theses focusing on a contemporary loss of plausibility of Christian religion provide new perspectives and approaches to the ancient loss of plausibility of Roman religion. One result of the structured-based comparison could be a catalogue of sociological categories to name religious and societal processes for ancient Christianity.