Constantine gets a bad rap

[IndigoChild5559]

Misinformation about Constantine abounds on the internet and elsewhere. Perhaps the most damaging, most inaccurate source is the book, "Constantine's Sword." But you can be watching i.e. a simple YouTube video on art history, and someone might say that Constantine made Christianity the religion of the Roman empire (one of the many false claims). I would like to set the matter straight.

The man is known for only three things that had any impact on the Christian church.

1. He issued the edict of Milan in 313 that removed all the penalties for being a Christian, ending the persecution.

Edict of Milan | Description, History, & Facts

Edict of Milan, proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Mediolanum (modern Milan) between the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius in February 313.

www.britannica.com

2. He established a seven day week in 321, and made the first day a holiday, which made it easier for Christians, who were gathering on the first day to break bread.

Week - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

3. He called the Council of Nicea in 325 so that the bishops would work out the issue that was dividing them, because he knew that a united church made it easier for him to govern his empire.

First Council of Nicaea - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

What he did NOT do:
A. He did NOT make Christianity the state religion. That was actually done by Theodosius, who came a couple of emperors down the road.
B. He did NOT influence the council of Nicea. Constantine's preference was actually for Arianism, and as we all know, it was the Trinitarians who won out at the Council. The only people who had a say in the Council were the bishops. He was the emperor, not a Christian bishop, and had no say in the decision.
C. He did NOT have anything to do with the formation of the Chrsitian canon of the New Testament, either directly, or indirectly by influencing those who did. The ecumenical councils that formed the canon happened decades after his death in 337 CE. The canon was first formed at the council of Rome in 382 at the Council of Rome. It was then reaffirmed by the councils of Hippo in 393 and Carthage 397, and then definitively reaffirmed by the ecumenical Council of Florence in 1442 and the council of Trent in the 16th century.

Constantine himself, although he was very soft on Christianity, did not actually become a Christian until near death. When he was finally baptized, it was by an Arian bishop, not Trinitarian.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Constantine himself, although he was very soft on Christianity, did not actually become a Christian until near death.

That wasn't about lack of Christian belief before that point, though.

At the time, it was a fairly frequent practice for believers to wait until they were near death to get baptized. The idea was that this was a form of "insurance": baptism was thought to absolve the person of all previous sin, so better to save it until after you've done all your sinning than to get baptized early and risk missing out on Heaven because of some sin you committed that never got absolved.

 

[Estro Felino]

And there's also another shocking detail.
He converted to Arianism because it was the most merciful heresy at that time.

He was not even a Christian. He was a Mithraist.
But the priests of Mithra told him that since he had put both his wife and his son to death, he was doomed to Hell.
Because those were inexpiable sins.

He converted to Christianity because the Arian priest had promised him that God would forgive his sins.

What a squalid life.
Even if he banned the persecutions...but that had already been done by Galerius in 311, with the Edict of Serdica.

 

[paarsurrey]

Constantine gets a bad rap

Misinformation about Constantine abounds on the internet and elsewhere. Perhaps the most damaging, most inaccurate source is the book, "Constantine's Sword." But you can be watching i.e. a simple YouTube video on art history, and someone might say that Constantine made Christianity the religion of the Roman empire (one of the many false claims). I would like to set the matter straight.

The man is known for only three things that had any impact on the Christian church.

1. He issued the edict of Milan in 313 that removed all the penalties for being a Christian, ending the persecution.

Edict of Milan | Description, History, & Facts

Edict of Milan, proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Mediolanum (modern Milan) between the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius in February 313.

www.britannica.com

2. He established a seven day week in 321, and made the first day a holiday, which made it easier for Christians, who were gathering on the first day to break bread.

Week - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

3. He called the Council of Nicea in 325 so that the bishops would work out the issue that was dividing them, because he knew that a united church made it easier for him to govern his empire.

First Council of Nicaea - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

What he did NOT do:
A. He did NOT make Christianity the state religion. That was actually done by Theodosius, who came a couple of emperors down the road.
B. He did NOT influence the council of Nicea. Constantine's preference was actually for Arianism, and as we all know, it was the Trinitarians who won out at the Council. The only people who had a say in the Council were the bishops. He was the emperor, not a Christian bishop, and had no say in the decision.
C. He did NOT have anything to do with the formation of the Chrsitian canon of the New Testament, either directly, or indirectly by influencing those who did. The ecumenical councils that formed the canon happened decades after his death in 337 CE. The canon was first formed at the council of Rome in 382 at the Council of Rome. It was then reaffirmed by the councils of Hippo in 393 and Carthage 397, and then definitively reaffirmed by the ecumenical Council of Florence in 1442 and the council of Trent in the 16th century.

Constantine himself, although he was very soft on Christianity, did not actually become a Christian until near death. When he was finally baptized, it was by an Arian bishop, not Trinitarian.

I would like a comment on the matter by our friend @Sargonski , please.

Regards

 

[Sargonski]

Constantine gets a bad rap

I would like a comment on the matter by our friend @Sargonski , please.

Regards

B. He did NOT influence the council of Nicea. Constantine's preference was actually for Arianism, and as we all know, it was the Trinitarians who won out at the Council

Not only did Constantine call the council to begin with .. but the claim he had no influence is spurious. The Emperor wanted the Empire united under one religious Order the fact that he called the meeting .. inviting Bishops throughout the realm .. to solve the huge divisions in the Church over the nature of the Divinity of Christ ..

Now we could say Constantine did not care which faction won the day .. but once they were decided .. he enforced that with an iron rod .. and was thus much influential .. I would be interested to see the evidence for Constantine favoring the Arian side .. find the claim doubtful as I would remember such a thing .. and have watched numerous videos on the topic ..

 

[Sargonski]

Misinformation about Constantine abounds on the internet and elsewhere. Perhaps the most damaging, most inaccurate source is the book, "Constantine's Sword." But you can be watching i.e. a simple YouTube video on art history, and someone might say that Constantine made Christianity the religion of the Roman empire (one of the many false claims). I would like to set the matter straight.

The man is known for only three things that had any impact on the Christian church.

1. He issued the edict of Milan in 313 that removed all the penalties for being a Christian, ending the persecution.

Edict of Milan | Description, History, & Facts

Edict of Milan, proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Mediolanum (modern Milan) between the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius in February 313.

www.britannica.com

2. He established a seven day week in 321, and made the first day a holiday, which made it easier for Christians, who were gathering on the first day to break bread.

Week - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

3. He called the Council of Nicea in 325 so that the bishops would work out the issue that was dividing them, because he knew that a united church made it easier for him to govern his empire.

First Council of Nicaea - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

What he did NOT do:
A. He did NOT make Christianity the state religion. That was actually done by Theodosius, who came a couple of emperors down the road.
B. He did NOT influence the council of Nicea. Constantine's preference was actually for Arianism, and as we all know, it was the Trinitarians who won out at the Council. The only people who had a say in the Council were the bishops. He was the emperor, not a Christian bishop, and had no say in the decision.
C. He did NOT have anything to do with the formation of the Chrsitian canon of the New Testament, either directly, or indirectly by influencing those who did. The ecumenical councils that formed the canon happened decades after his death in 337 CE. The canon was first formed at the council of Rome in 382 at the Council of Rome. It was then reaffirmed by the councils of Hippo in 393 and Carthage 397, and then definitively reaffirmed by the ecumenical Council of Florence in 1442 and the council of Trent in the 16th century.

Constantine himself, although he was very soft on Christianity, did not actually become a Christian until near death. When he was finally baptized, it was by an Arian bishop, not Trinitarian.

Constantine had influence .. as described above .. I would like to see evidence he favored the Arian Side the idea that Constantine did not have a say is spurious ... he wanted a religion unified .. not divided over the divinity of their Christ .. as Constantine would soon be Usurping that position as head of the State Religion .. "Pontifex Maximus" .. You know what that fancy word means .. Right !

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

So does poor Julian who is unfairly remembered as the "apostate". Hardly anyone speaks of him now except Pagans. Constantine is still beloved in Christianity.

 

[Coder]

The Emperor wanted the Empire united under one religious Order the fact that he called the meeting ..

Yes, I certainly believe that religious unity was a known Roman political pattern, and the educated elites e.g. Paul and Roman Senate initially worked within that framework: They developed a new religion that eliminated animal sacrifices and polytheism (except that the polytheism part was not fully addressed [trinity] and was/is understandably inadequate for Jewish people in general [and other monotheists]).

 

[Sargonski]

Yes, I certainly believe that unity was a common goal and the educated elites e.g. Paul and Roman Senate initially worked within that framework: They developed a new religion that eliminated animal sacrifices and polytheism (except that the polytheism part was not fully addressed [trinity] and was/is understandably inadequate for Jewish people in general).

Sure .. and the trinity was not worked out until Theodosius I believe .. soon as Constantine died his son took the Empire back to Arianism .. and the battle between the two raged until Charlamange .. and it was a flip of the coin that that was the side that won .. Ostrogoths .. Visigoths - Vandals .. Lombards .. all Arians .. The Franks turned out to be the power that truly ushered in the Trinitarians..

 

[paarsurrey]

Constantine did not care which faction won the day .. but once they were decided .. he enforced that with an iron rod .. and was thus much influential

Thanks for your comments.

Regards

 

[Sargonski]

Misinformation about Constantine abounds on the internet and elsewhere. Perhaps the most damaging, most inaccurate source is the book, "Constantine's Sword." But you can be watching i.e. a simple YouTube video on art history, and someone might say that Constantine made Christianity the religion of the Roman empire (one of the many false claims). I would like to set the matter straight.

The man is known for only three things that had any impact on the Christian church.

1. He issued the edict of Milan in 313 that removed all the penalties for being a Christian, ending the persecution.

Edict of Milan | Description, History, & Facts

Edict of Milan, proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Mediolanum (modern Milan) between the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius in February 313.

www.britannica.com

2. He established a seven day week in 321, and made the first day a holiday, which made it easier for Christians, who were gathering on the first day to break bread.

Week - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

3. He called the Council of Nicea in 325 so that the bishops would work out the issue that was dividing them, because he knew that a united church made it easier for him to govern his empire.

First Council of Nicaea - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

What he did NOT do:
A. He did NOT make Christianity the state religion. That was actually done by Theodosius, who came a couple of emperors down the road.
B. He did NOT influence the council of Nicea. Constantine's preference was actually for Arianism, and as we all know, it was the Trinitarians who won out at the Council. The only people who had a say in the Council were the bishops. He was the emperor, not a Christian bishop, and had no say in the decision.
C. He did NOT have anything to do with the formation of the Chrsitian canon of the New Testament, either directly, or indirectly by influencing those who did. The ecumenical councils that formed the canon happened decades after his death in 337 CE. The canon was first formed at the council of Rome in 382 at the Council of Rome. It was then reaffirmed by the councils of Hippo in 393 and Carthage 397, and then definitively reaffirmed by the ecumenical Council of Florence in 1442 and the council of Trent in the 16th century.

Constantine himself, although he was very soft on Christianity, did not actually become a Christian until near death. When he was finally baptized, it was by an Arian bishop, not Trinitarian.

Speaking of "misinformation on Constantine" --- Eusebius -- Constantines close friend and confidant and personal Bishop - the one he assigned to put the Bible together .. refused to sign off on "Homoousios" at Nicine and for this was banished from the Court by Constantine.

Eusebius then reconsidered his Arian ways and signed on the line .. and was thus re-united with his beloved Emperor .. and that Eusebius gave Constantine his Last rights .. in no way makes Constantine an Arian .. this suggestion is preposterous fake news nonsense.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Speaking of "misinformation on Constantine" --- Eusebius -- Constantines close friend and confidant and personal Bishop - the one he assigned to put the Bible together ..

Never happened. Not only did Constantine never make that request, but Eusebius himself never offered a suggestion what a canon would be. What he DID do was inform as to the running ideas various christians then and in the past had, dividing all the books mentioned by these others into recognized texts, disputed texts, spurious texts, and heretical texts. That is not the same thing as suggesting what a canon would be.

 

[Sargonski]

Never happened. Not only did Constantine never make that request, but Eusebius himself never offered a suggestion what a canon would be. What he DID do was inform as to the running ideas various christians then and in the past had, dividing all the books mentioned by these others into recognized texts, disputed texts, spurious texts, and heretical texts. That is not the same thing as suggesting what a canon would be.

You have no idea what you are talking about .. your claim about Constantine being an Arian turned out to be false nonsense .. the same fake news on the internet you were complaining about. Now .. you make another completely false claim trying to deflect from previous false claim ..

"The Fifty Bibles of Constantine are said to have been Bibles in the Greek language commissioned in 331 by Constantine I and prepared by Eusebius of Caesarea. They were made for the use of the Bishop of Constantinople in the growing number of churches in that very new city. "

Sorry -- indeed Constantine did make a reguest to put together early Bibles .. and Eusebius was the one who selected what was Cannon .. as he was the Keeper of Origin's famous Library .. where all the texts considerted to be cannon by the third century church were kept.

 

[Sedaser]

Constantine had influence .. as described above .. I would like to see evidence he favored the Arian Side the idea that Constantine did not have a say is spurious ... he wanted a religion unified .. not divided over the divinity of their Christ .. as Constantine would soon be Usurping that position as head of the State Religion .. "Pontifex Maximus" .. You know what that fancy word means .. Right !

Yes, I am willing to sign every word you say!

 

[Sargonski]

Yes, I am willing to sign every word you say!

The more converts .. the merrier !

 

[Regiomontanus]

Misinformation about Constantine abounds on the internet and elsewhere. Perhaps the most damaging, most inaccurate source is the book, "Constantine's Sword." But you can be watching i.e. a simple YouTube video on art history, and someone might say that Constantine made Christianity the religion of the Roman empire (one of the many false claims). I would like to set the matter straight.

The man is known for only three things that had any impact on the Christian church.

1. He issued the edict of Milan in 313 that removed all the penalties for being a Christian, ending the persecution.

Edict of Milan | Description, History, & Facts

Edict of Milan, proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity within the Roman Empire. It was the outcome of a political agreement concluded in Mediolanum (modern Milan) between the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius in February 313.

www.britannica.com

2. He established a seven day week in 321, and made the first day a holiday, which made it easier for Christians, who were gathering on the first day to break bread.

Week - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

3. He called the Council of Nicea in 325 so that the bishops would work out the issue that was dividing them, because he knew that a united church made it easier for him to govern his empire.

First Council of Nicaea - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

What he did NOT do:
A. He did NOT make Christianity the state religion. That was actually done by Theodosius, who came a couple of emperors down the road.
B. He did NOT influence the council of Nicea. Constantine's preference was actually for Arianism, and as we all know, it was the Trinitarians who won out at the Council. The only people who had a say in the Council were the bishops. He was the emperor, not a Christian bishop, and had no say in the decision.
C. He did NOT have anything to do with the formation of the Chrsitian canon of the New Testament, either directly, or indirectly by influencing those who did. The ecumenical councils that formed the canon happened decades after his death in 337 CE. The canon was first formed at the council of Rome in 382 at the Council of Rome. It was then reaffirmed by the councils of Hippo in 393 and Carthage 397, and then definitively reaffirmed by the ecumenical Council of Florence in 1442 and the council of Trent in the 16th century.

Constantine himself, although he was very soft on Christianity, did not actually become a Christian until near death. When he was finally baptized, it was by an Arian bishop, not Trinitarian.

Constantine the Great - a fitting name! It is hard to overestimate what western civilization owes to him. I have been collecting his coins for years.