Secularization of the Church Through Constantine
Samantha Rough
Rome – Spring 2013
Susan Pitchford
Essay 1
Christianity: Started From the Bottom, Now We’re Here
“It is a bitter thought, how different a thing the Christianity of the world might have been, if the Christian faith had been adopted as the religion of the empire under the auspices of Marcus Aurelius instead of those of Constantine.” John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859
People of the Christian religion went through numerous trials, such as mass persecutions, being executed and imprisoned, edicts banning Christian practices such as freedom to worship and their churches being destroyed, until Constantine and the Edict of Milan, “an agreement to treat Christians benevolently” (Cross and Livingstone, 1974), helped Christendom move from something criminalized to one of the world’s largest religions. After the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312, where Constantine had his vision that later led to his conversion, Christians would start to see positive dramatic change under Constantine in the seat of emperor. From the year 313, when Christianity became legalized under Constantine’s rule, to the year 380, when Christianity became the official state religion (Cross and Livingstone, 1974), Christians were no longer persecuted which meant that they were now allowed to freely worship and publically express their beliefs. Large, ornate churches were built which enabled Christians to come together for worship but at the same time changed the nature of worship from something personal and intimate to something very public. Christians were now being furthered socially by the church, being given different political and administrative jobs with better benefits, eventually leading to the line between church and state constantly diminishing over time.
These changes were, in large part, responsible for the survival of Christianity throughout the 4th century.
After Constantine’s conversion, members of the church no longer had to hide their faith or
Rome – Spring 2013
Susan Pitchford
Essay 1
Christianity: Started From the Bottom, Now We’re Here
“It is a bitter thought, how different a thing the Christianity of the world might have been, if the Christian faith had been adopted as the religion of the empire under the auspices of Marcus Aurelius instead of those of Constantine.” John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859
People of the Christian religion went through numerous trials, such as mass persecutions, being executed and imprisoned, edicts banning Christian practices such as freedom to worship and their churches being destroyed, until Constantine and the Edict of Milan, “an agreement to treat Christians benevolently” (Cross and Livingstone, 1974), helped Christendom move from something criminalized to one of the world’s largest religions. After the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312, where Constantine had his vision that later led to his conversion, Christians would start to see positive dramatic change under Constantine in the seat of emperor. From the year 313, when Christianity became legalized under Constantine’s rule, to the year 380, when Christianity became the official state religion (Cross and Livingstone, 1974), Christians were no longer persecuted which meant that they were now allowed to freely worship and publically express their beliefs. Large, ornate churches were built which enabled Christians to come together for worship but at the same time changed the nature of worship from something personal and intimate to something very public. Christians were now being furthered socially by the church, being given different political and administrative jobs with better benefits, eventually leading to the line between church and state constantly diminishing over time.
These changes were, in large part, responsible for the survival of Christianity throughout the 4th century.
After Constantine’s conversion, members of the church no longer had to hide their faith or
Cited: 1.) The Holy Bible, King James Version. New York: American Bible Society: 1999; Bartleby.com, 2000 Web. 24 May 2013. 2.) Meyendorff, John. “Church and Empire” Imperial Unity and Christian Divisions (Crestwood, NY, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1989) pg. 7. Web. 24 May 2013. 3.) Holcomb, Justin. "Latest." The Resurgence. N.p., 3 July 2011. Web. 24 May 2013. 4.) Cross, F. L., and Elizabeth A. Livingstone. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. London: Oxford UP, 1974. Print. 5.) Stark, Rodney. The Triumph of Christianity: How the Jesus Movement Became the World 's Largest Religion. New York: HarperOne, 2011. Print. 6.) Drake, H. A. Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of Intolerance. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins UP, 2000. Print. 7.) Cross and Livingstone. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church 1974 art. Milan, Edict of. 8.) "The Death of Paganism: How the Roman Empire Converted to Christianity."Gadling.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013.