At the beginning of the second century, Christian Rome was a mess. Various inspired people with different pericopes without composition and order were drawn to the imperial capital city in order to impress the Christian community. The society of different teologians was arguing and competing with each other. Process of uncontrolled flooding of stories, which makes Jesus a mythical hero, many theologies and will to win.
The first historically confirmed references to the gospel and letters concern Marion and his canon composed of the body of Paul’s epistles and the gospel of Luke. Marcion knew he needed a product. The canon was a tool, as were the fundraising and missionary team to expand the congregation structure. It is also the first such methodical activity and a project of this scale in the history of Christianity.
Against the backdrop of impractical prophets and theologians, he was a star. Marcion was professionally involved in shipbuilding or maritime transport – projects of considerable complexity and logistics. Marcion earned his position in Rome with his achievements, donation, and confident persuasion of his supporters.
He was accepted by Roman Christian community.
No one was bothered by any theology – the problem was its excess, which did not bring any benefit to anyone and hindered the missionary activity.
But Rome is not a fart, there are many big ones and Marcion eventually lost. Now theology was needed as a official reason of his rejection.
Despite the fact that the Romans themselves did not have such achievements, they rejected him. But he was who changed the game,, and so they had to play his game and be better at it. Marcion was well organized and it was not easy to follow him, let alone be better. So his personal failure didn’t imply as a failure of his methods.