There sure is a lot of talk about Jesus and imperialism and such, you know with the New Testament seen in political terms -- yes, I know, I do it too -- . Wait till you read my new book called Ultimate Allegiance: The Subversive Nature of the Lord's Prayer (due out in Novemberish -- in time for your Christmas shopping sprees -- from Energion Publications)! And yes, John Dominic Crossan
makes a good case for imperialism being a key component of the gospel message. Scot McKnight raises some questions about all of this as well, suggesting that it may reflect leftist politics (and I may resemble that remark).
But, I think that the Romans need to be given their due -- as Monte Python does in this scene from the Life of Brian.