Heart and History of the Early Church

1. Heart and History of the Early Church Session 12: Constantine and the End of an Age www.drewcuster.wordpress.com

2. The Last and Worst Persecution • Diocletian was emperor from 284-305 • He divided the kingdom among other Emperors and Caesars

3. The Last and Worst Persecution • Diocletian enjoyed great success • Diocletian’s wife and daughter were Christians • Most Christian leaders agreed that Christians should not be soldiers • The reality was that many soldiers were Christians • 295, many Christians were killed for not joining the army and some for trying to leave the army

4. The Last and Worst Persecution • One of the Caesars, Galerius, convinced Diocletian to expel all Christians from the army • This edict did not involve punishment other than expulsion, but in some areas many Christians soldiers were asked to deny their faith and then executed • In 303, Galerius convinced Diocletian to expel Christians from all government institutions • Then the persecution kept increasing in severity. Christian buildings and writings were ordered destroyed

5. The Last and Worst Persecution • Diocletian blamed a fire in the imperial palace on the Christians and violence on Christians escalated • All in the palace were asked to offer sacrifices to the gods. His wife and daughter did, but others in the palace did not and were killed, including the Grand Chamberlain • Later Diocletian thought the Christians may be conspiring to kill him so he orders all church leaders arrested and all Christians to offer sacrifices to the gods

6. The Last and Worst Persecution • Widespread arresting and torturing of Christians swept across the empire • Many Christians gave in to worshiping the gods while some did not and were tortured and killed • Many Christians were able to hide and flee to Persia taking the Scriptures with them

7. The Last and Worst Persecution • In 305, Galerius took control of Rome • Galerius kept one of the other Caesar's, ConstantiusChlorus, to be a co-emperor (Augustus) along with him • Galerius secured Constantius’ loyalty by keeping his son, Constantine, as hostage but he escaped • Galerius rule ended up being very chaotic and it ended up that Diocletian came out of retirement to give control of the empire to many different rulers, one part was given to Constantine

8. The Last and Worst Persecution • Many Christians died until 311 when Galerius fell ill he changed his mind on the persecution of Christians • This edict ended the final great Roman persecution and Galerius died 5 days later • After Galerius the Empire was divided in 4 and Constantine had control of Gaul and Britain

9. Constantine • Constantine devised as sneak attack on Rome • Two Christian writers who knew Constantine say that he received a dream that led to the placing of the Chi Rho Symbol on the shields of his soldiers • Later Christians pointed to this as his conversion but it was well documented that he continued worshipping the Unconquered Sun after he conquered Rome

10. Constantine • After conquering the western half of the Empire by occupying Rome, he met with Licinius, one of the other “emperors”, and they agreed to a partnership. • In 313, the “Edict of Milan” between Constantine and Licinius included that persecution of all Christians would end and all property and buildings would be given back to them.

11. Constantine • Strategic leader who gained favor of his people and manipulated Licinius • Licinius and Maximinus were also at war with one another which helped Constantine • Licinius defeated Maximinus and took control of the Eastern half of the Roman Empire • Constantine vs. Licinius • Constantine was better military strategist

12. Constantine • In 314, the war began and a series of battles took place which led to Constantine taking Asia Minor and Greece. • Then a period of piece until 322 during which Constantine strengthened his forces and consolidated his powers • Constantine gained the support of Christians due to the Edict of Milan and to the fact that Licinius began persecution Christians again in his side of the Empire

13. Constantine • In 322, Constantine invaded Licinius’ territory with a much smaller army than Licinius. • Licinius feared the magical powers of the Chi Rho symbol and ordered his troops not to look at it. • Constantine’s smaller army won • In 324, Constantine forced Licinius to give up and then had him murdered

14. Constantine • Why did he take over all of Rome? Because he wanted to • Once the Empire was united he wanted to restore its ancient glory • His predecessors did so by returning to paganism, but Constantine felt that Christianity would be the best vehicle • He built a new Rome or Constantinople

15. Constantine • Constantine was a brilliant strategic choice for a new capital but he took no credit for the choice, but said that it came from God. • At the beginning he used religion as a vehicle for bringing popularity and loyalty • “As far as the One who walks ahead of Me.” • Constantinople was an impressively embellished city

16. Constantine • Constantine was a believer in the power of Christ, but not a Christian • He favored the Christians to gain blessing from the Christian God • He worshiped pagan Gods and did not worship in Christian community or was baptized until his deathbed • Constantine did appoint a number of Christians to high positions in government

17. Constantine • In 325, Constantine called a council of bishops at Nicaea, which he presided over. Between 200-300 bishops were probably present. • Constantine contributed to the destruction of many pagan temples and the building of many churches • When Constantine died, he was made a pagan god

18. Reactions by Christians to Constantine • Many embraced Constantine and the Imperial Church, which had now been characterized by extravagant worship and lower standards • Many fled to the deserts entering a monastic lifestyle • Others rejected the imperial church as the true church (Notably Donatism)

19. New Challenges of a New Age • With the legalization of Christianity came many challenges and struggles: • How should the church change in adapting to its new situation? • How does the church deal with the watering down of requirements for baptism? • How does the church deal with the mixture of church and state? • How does the church remain obedient in a new age while remaining faithful to an old message?