The Constantine Heresy

[raw_thought]

The Constantine heresy ( heresy because it is contrary to Christ's teaching and pretends to speak for Christ) eventually became the norm because of brute force. Eventually, because of the inquisition most of Christ's message of love and equality became totally suppressed and Constantine Christianity's doctrine of obedience to authority became Christianity's central message. Obviously, the elite had to suppress Christ's message of finding God within ( "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21) because God being within the average person threatens the elite's hold on power.
Literalism ( fundamentalism) is a direct descendant of Constantine Christianity. It emphasizes obedience and punishment ( just like Constantine and any philosophy favored by a tyrant) . Literalism distracts one from spirituality. It emphasizes the letter of the law and not the spirit. Similarly, many modern readers of Gnostic texts interpret them literally and find them absurd. Of course if read literally they are ridiculous! However, that is like claiming that Shakespeare's works are stupid because many of them are obviously not historically true. One misses the profound wisdom in a text when one reads it literally. Unfortunately, for centuries most Gnostic texts were suppressed because they emphasized Christ's central message that we have God within and are sons and daughters of God. It took a long time to stamp out Christ's message and replace it with Constantine Christianity.
I also find it plausible that the Knights Templar were murdered because they were Gnostics and had to be suppressed. Perhaps the Holy Grail represents Christ's true message. Words hold meaning just as a cup holds Christ's blood.
( I find Dan Brown's book silly. Blood lines? That's just Constantine Christianity all over again. Not much of a change even if it were true.)
Christ's central message was that we have God within and are sons and daughters of God. Therefore to reject it is heretical. Constantine Christianity is heretical because ( Tho it became the norm thru violence and force) it goes against Christ's original teachings. It is even debatable if Constantine ever really became a Christian. He co-opted it to unify his empire and establish a hierarchy of power to entrench his authority. To dismiss the political in the decisions at Nicea seems to me to be naive.
"Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I
said, you are gods'? If he called them gods, to whom the word
of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say
of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world,
'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?"
(John 10:34-36).
In other words Jesus is not making himself out to be the only son of God. In modern English he is saying,"yes I am the son of God and it is no big deal, there are many sons of God. And to repeat Luke 17;21 God is within everyone.
This of course is problematic to setting up a hierarchy. Note,They obviously had to have some gospels accepted.Unfortunately for them even the ones let in had passages in them contrary to Constantine Christianity.
There are many legitimate mystics in the Christian tradition that feel that God is the only reality and that therefore their task is to find their true self, God.
"God expects but one thing of you, and that is that you should come out of yourself in so far as you are a created being made and let God be God in you."
Meister Eckhart
And from the Bible
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. "
1 Corinthians 13:12 (New International Version)
I am reluctant to use the word "enlightened" because it implies more than I want to discuss right now. However, in general, I would say that the Christian's first duty is too become enlightened. To realize that the idea of a separate self ( from god) or ego, is an illusion.
It is possible that Jesus was also practical and knew that such a radical doctrine ( God within) would challenge the elite and cause them to kill and persecute many ( which actually happened, inquisition etc).
"And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand"
Luke 8:10
One of the more beautiful passages in the Gospel of Thomas is,
"'The kingdom of God is spread upon the earth, and men see it not.''
No pie in the sky heaven!
In contrast to Constantine Christianity, obey and when you die you will be rewarded.
.Even after Constantine, Christianity was not unified or well defined. There were many Gnostic groups, the Cathers for example. Constantine started the process of repression but it was not until much later and more repression that Constantine Christianity became unchallenged ( and yes years after Constantine's death) . It took a while to stamp out Christ's original teachings that contradicted a secular hierarchy.
Yes, Constantine did not write the Gospels. I never claimed that he did. However, he facilitated the decision of what Gospels to include ( simpler Gospels for the masses and Gospels that were more anti-individualistic and more about reward and punishment, tho admittedly a few "Gnostic' passages remained such as Luke 17:20, 1 Corinthians 13:12, etc) , and which Gospels to ban ( burn the books and kill any of their believers) .
Note that i am not talking about trivial disagreements about dogma ( trinity etc) but about a more important and central belief., the belief that God is in all of us and a hierarchy is superfluous to spiritual development. That of course is anathema to Constantine Christianity.
Constantine Christianity is based on reward and punishment and the supposed need for a hierarchy.
PS; Note that I am not anti-Catholic. Constantine Christianity has also infected Protestantism and has become even more legalistic and less spiritual.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Figures.

Constantine is Satan.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Constantine certainly liked Christianity to follow a single path. As the official religion this was a reasonable requirement. also it was reasonable that it should fit into the normal Roman culture, where authority was a top down arrangement.
I would agree that this changed many of the functionalities of the "Church"
However by that time there were many "versions" of Christian belief and the Gnostic version was never in the forefront.

The though that God is in all of us, both as "soul" and the "Holy Spirit" can be believed by all Christians, not just Gnostic's.
God's love must emanate from us all.
To have function, it requires the participation of men.

 

[elmarna]

Any 1 who believes that he is the only 1 who speaks to god or speaks in his behalf is likely to be fofilled with a belief that god can speak only to 1 person.
It is a sad thought & a beleif I could not share.
to insist in a hiarchey where you have no voice or value is a repressive way of life!
that is terrible!

 

[JacobEzra.]

Any 1 who believes that he is the only 1 who speaks to god or speaks in his behalf is likely to be fofilled with a belief that god can speak only to 1 person.
It is a sad thought & a beleif I could not share.
to insist in a hiarchey where you have no voice or value is a repressive way of life!
that is terrible!

I take it you think the Catholic Church has the belief that only the Pope can talk to God. That is a great misconception.

 

[SageTree]

Without much comment on the history and opening (other than to say 'no comment', just to stay to task, in other words), I'd like to say that I really enjoyed reading the last part of your post as I feel it close to the experiences and perceptions in my Practice.

There is a member name 'soma' on here that you might enjoy hunting down and reading.
Also, I've a lengthy thread 'Christian Mysticism: A personal exploration' that you could find in my 'started threads' if you're interested.
It might not be 'theologically correct' or whatever.
Just considering it me wading through some thoughts, experiences and ideas.

Don't be discouraged, My Friend.
In my experience, just because people don't always call it the same thing or express it the same way, doesn't mean that they don't have the same experiences of what you'd call 'realizing God within'.
And go out into the world to do great things.

No matter what 'kind' of Christian we are....
Actions always speak louder than words, imo.
Take the belief and 'be' with it.

 

[waitasec]

Any 1 who believes that he is the only 1 who speaks to god or speaks in his behalf is likely to be fofilled with a belief that god can speak only to 1 person.
It is a sad thought & a beleif I could not share.
to insist in a hiarchey where you have no voice or value is a repressive way of life!
that is terrible!

well said
:clap

 

[InChrist]

The Constantine heresy ( heresy because it is contrary to Christ's teaching and pretends to speak for Christ) eventually became the norm because of brute force. Eventually, because of the inquisition most of Christ's message of love and equality became totally suppressed and Constantine Christianity's doctrine of obedience to authority became Christianity's central message. Obviously, the elite had to suppress Christ's message of finding God within ( "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21) because God being within the average person threatens the elite's hold on power.
Literalism ( fundamentalism) is a direct descendant of Constantine Christianity. It emphasizes obedience and punishment ( just like Constantine and any philosophy favored by a tyrant) . Literalism distracts one from spirituality. It emphasizes the letter of the law and not the spirit. Similarly, many modern readers of Gnostic texts interpret them literally and find them absurd. Of course if read literally they are ridiculous! However, that is like claiming that Shakespeare's works are stupid because many of them are obviously not historically true. One misses the profound wisdom in a text when one reads it literally. Unfortunately, for centuries most Gnostic texts were suppressed because they emphasized Christ's central message that we have God within and are sons and daughters of God. It took a long time to stamp out Christ's message and replace it with Constantine Christianity.
I also find it plausible that the Knights Templar were murdered because they were Gnostics and had to be suppressed. Perhaps the Holy Grail represents Christ's true message. Words hold meaning just as a cup holds Christ's blood.
( I find Dan Brown's book silly. Blood lines? That's just Constantine Christianity all over again. Not much of a change even if it were true.)
Christ's central message was that we have God within and are sons and daughters of God. Therefore to reject it is heretical. Constantine Christianity is heretical because ( Tho it became the norm thru violence and force) it goes against Christ's original teachings. It is even debatable if Constantine ever really became a Christian. He co-opted it to unify his empire and establish a hierarchy of power to entrench his authority. To dismiss the political in the decisions at Nicea seems to me to be naive.
"Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I
said, you are gods'? If he called them gods, to whom the word
of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say
of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world,
'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?"
(John 10:34-36).
In other words Jesus is not making himself out to be the only son of God. In modern English he is saying,"yes I am the son of God and it is no big deal, there are many sons of God. And to repeat Luke 17;21 God is within everyone.
This of course is problematic to setting up a hierarchy. Note,They obviously had to have some gospels accepted.Unfortunately for them even the ones let in had passages in them contrary to Constantine Christianity.
There are many legitimate mystics in the Christian tradition that feel that God is the only reality and that therefore their task is to find their true self, God.
"God expects but one thing of you, and that is that you should come out of yourself in so far as you are a created being made and let God be God in you."
Meister Eckhart
And from the Bible
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. "
1 Corinthians 13:12 (New International Version)
I am reluctant to use the word "enlightened" because it implies more than I want to discuss right now. However, in general, I would say that the Christian's first duty is too become enlightened. To realize that the idea of a separate self ( from god) or ego, is an illusion.
It is possible that Jesus was also practical and knew that such a radical doctrine ( God within) would challenge the elite and cause them to kill and persecute many ( which actually happened, inquisition etc).
"And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand"
Luke 8:10
One of the more beautiful passages in the Gospel of Thomas is,
"'The kingdom of God is spread upon the earth, and men see it not.''
No pie in the sky heaven!
In contrast to Constantine Christianity, obey and when you die you will be rewarded.
.Even after Constantine, Christianity was not unified or well defined. There were many Gnostic groups, the Cathers for example. Constantine started the process of repression but it was not until much later and more repression that Constantine Christianity became unchallenged ( and yes years after Constantine's death) . It took a while to stamp out Christ's original teachings that contradicted a secular hierarchy.
Yes, Constantine did not write the Gospels. I never claimed that he did. However, he facilitated the decision of what Gospels to include ( simpler Gospels for the masses and Gospels that were more anti-individualistic and more about reward and punishment, tho admittedly a few "Gnostic' passages remained such as Luke 17:20, 1 Corinthians 13:12, etc) , and which Gospels to ban ( burn the books and kill any of their believers) .
Note that i am not talking about trivial disagreements about dogma ( trinity etc) but about a more important and central belief., the belief that God is in all of us and a hierarchy is superfluous to spiritual development. That of course is anathema to Constantine Christianity.
Constantine Christianity is based on reward and punishment and the supposed need for a hierarchy.
PS; Note that I am not anti-Catholic. Constantine Christianity has also infected Protestantism and has become even more legalistic and less spiritual.

[FONT=&quot]While I agree that a hierarchy system and the teaching that God speaks (or spoke) through one person, group, or organization such as the Pope, Joseph Smith, the current LDS prophet, Watchtower, Harold Camping etc. is unbiblical and dangerous, I take issue with the idea that “God’ is within everyone. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I have a friend who once believed this and as she sat in meditation one day contemplating the thought of God within her suddenly she sensed a distinct “NO” in her spirit… God is not in you, I am a Being above you.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]What you are suggesting is no different than the original lie that humans can be like God and is blatantly contrary to the scriptures and teachings of Jesus. The Bible is clear that there is One God, the Creator of heaven and earth. There are no others, except false gods or idols. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Anyone may seek and call out to God and He will answer and lead to the only One who is necessary to go through, Jesus, God who became human. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. 1Tim. 3:16[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:13[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus… 1Tim. 2:5[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ eliminates the need for any hierarchy or any other mediator; priest, pastor, guru, prophet, organization, church, or religious rituals. [/FONT]

 

[SageTree]

[FONT=&quot]While I agree that a hierarchy system and the teaching that God speaks (or spoke) through one person, group, or organization such as the Pope, Joseph Smith, the current LDS prophet, Watchtower, Harold Camping etc. is unbiblical and dangerous, I take issue with the idea that “God’ is within everyone. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I have a friend who once believed this and as she sat in meditation one day contemplating the thought of God within her suddenly she sensed a distinct “NO” in her spirit… God is not in you, I am a Being above you.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]What you are suggesting is no different than the original lie that humans can be like God and is blatantly contrary to the scriptures and teachings of Jesus. The Bible is clear that there is One God, the Creator of heaven and earth. There are no others, except false gods or idols. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Anyone may seek and call out to God and He will answer and lead to the only One who is necessary to go through, Jesus, God who became human. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. 1Tim. 3:16[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:13[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus… 1Tim. 2:5[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ eliminates the need for any hierarchy or any other mediator; priest, pastor, guru, prophet, organization, church, or religious rituals. [/FONT]

A humble sharing:

The teaching of theosis in Eastern Orthodoxy refers to the attainment of likeness to or union with God, as deification has three stages in its process of transformation.

Theosis as such is the goal, it is the purpose of life, and it is considered achievable only through a synergy (or cooperation) between humans' activities and God's uncreated energies (or operations).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosis_(Eastern_Orthodox_theology)#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosis_(Eastern_Orthodox_theology)#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosis_(Eastern_Orthodox_theology)#cite_note-2

Theosis as a general component to Orthodox theology is directly related to Orthodox theology and the many concepts included in Orthodox theology, since Orthodox theology is what is derived from saints or mystics in the church, and Eastern Orthodox consider that "no one who does not follow the path of union with God can be a theologian".

 

[InChrist]

A humble sharing:
Quote:

The teaching of theosis in Eastern Orthodoxy refers to the attainment of likeness to or union with God, as deification has three stages in its process of transformation.

Theosis as such is the goal, it is the purpose of life, and it is considered achievable only through a synergy (or cooperation) between humans' activities and God's uncreated energies (or operations).

Theosis as a general component to Orthodox theology is directly related to Orthodox theology and the many concepts included in Orthodox theology, since Orthodox theology is what is derived from saints or mystics in the church, and Eastern Orthodox consider that "no one who does not follow the path of union with God can be a theologian".

[FONT=&quot]Thank you for sharing. The biblical scriptures do speak of one’s life being transformed and that one is sanctified and conformed to the likeness of Christ and also that the body is the temple of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so I certainly believe and understand these concepts. But I also believe true orthodoxy is defined by the words of scripture rather than saints or mystics. The scriptures indicate that one must repent of sin and self, trust Jesus Christ as Savior, and be born again before this process of union with God and transformation can begin.[/FONT]

 

[SageTree]

Glad that didn't offend or upset. Sometimes true sharing is hard to come by.

This caught my eye from what you said: Not disagreeing, but just some thoughts, if that's okay.

[FONT=&quot]The scriptures indicate that one must repent of sin and self, trust Jesus Christ as Savior, and be born again before this process of union with God and transformation can begin.[/FONT]

In one way I can see 'yes, there is a 'Big Born Again', but....
I also feel there is a life long journey of being 'Born again' over and over.

While we might be working on turning over a new leaf on our 'Sin and Self' it doesn't miraculously disappear, rather... we see it in the Light if you will.
And imo, that takes Practice.
The time to do this 'repenting' is continuous, but there is something special about marking it with intention to be born anew and walking in His was, like at Communion.
We might have made the initial agreement to trust in God, but that also means we responsible for our half of the bargain.
We've become aware of 'Sin and Self', now to get a rein on 'not harming' as much as we can.

So while we might meet God, so to speak, on the 'Big Birth', the relationship, like all of our if we hope them to be good and healthy, require attention and awareness or practice.

That is why the explanation of theosis helps me stay focused and aware.

I'd clarify that the theology doesn't come out of thing air to the Saints and Mystics, revealed might be a word that ads to understanding, or perhaps revelation. This might come in a burst of understanding or a deep, layered perspective from with in the Scripture.

In some ways I see the Scripture as a thing that can carry us to the threshold or jumping point.
We need words to talk to each other, and to relate and reason. But I also think we have another language and way of knowing that we can't capture in words.

The Scripture provides a story or lesson for me, a knowing of it's own.
But the meditation and contemplation ,where I put myself into those words, happens inside of me, in the garden where the Word grows and manifests in the world.

Thanks for reading.

:namaste
SageTree

 

[InChrist]

Glad that didn't offend or upset. Sometimes true sharing is hard to come by.

This caught my eye from what you said: Not disagreeing, but just some thoughts, if that's okay.



In one way I can see 'yes, there is a 'Big Born Again', but....
I also feel there is a life long journey of being 'Born again' over and over.

While we might be working on turning over a new leaf on our 'Sin and Self' it doesn't miraculously disappear, rather... we see it in the Light if you will.
And imo, that takes Practice.
The time to do this 'repenting' is continuous, but there is something special about marking it with intention to be born anew and walking in His was, like at Communion.
We might have made the initial agreement to trust in God, but that also means we responsible for our half of the bargain.
We've become aware of 'Sin and Self', now to get a rein on 'not harming' as much as we can.

So while we might meet God, so to speak, on the 'Big Birth', the relationship, like all of our if we hope them to be good and healthy, require attention and awareness or practice.

That is why the explanation of theosis helps me stay focused and aware.

I'd clarify that the theology doesn't come out of thing air to the Saints and Mystics, revealed might be a word that ads to understanding, or perhaps revelation. This might come in a burst of understanding or a deep, layered perspective from with in the Scripture.

In some ways I see the Scripture as a thing that can carry us to the threshold or jumping point.
We need words to talk to each other, and to relate and reason. But I also think we have another language and way of knowing that we can't capture in words.

The Scripture provides a story or lesson for me, a knowing of it's own.
But the meditation and contemplation ,where I put myself into those words, happens inside of me, in the garden where the Word grows and manifests in the world.

Thanks for reading.

:namaste
SageTree

[FONT=&quot]I appreciate your thoughts and perspective.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]It seems from my own experience, being born again is a one- time event. Just as a child is physically born once, so I believe a person can only be spiritually born once and as the Bible indicates then becomes a new creation in Christ. I am certainly in agreement with you that walking with God is on-going and requires daily awareness, repentance, and practice. I see this as something which involves relating to and trusting the Lord in a real and personal way rather than following ritualistic practices as most religions require. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]To me the scriptures are God’s living words giving truth and guidance, revealing my own wrong attitudes and giving tests and protection from false teachings. I believe God’s Word is necessary to determine what is true and what is false because humans are so vulnerable to believing anything.[/FONT]

What particular aspect of the theosis helps you stay focused and aware?

 

[SageTree]

I think it helps me to remember that it's a Practice, with growth and change,a being-ness and a verb, rather than an 'I am', noun-ness.
And for me that helps me stay focused on the action part...
Not in the resting in laurels, so to speak.

I believe the metaphor in Sufism are 'veils' between us and God.
Knowing where the veils are and that God is on the other side isn't the point, in my eyes.
It's to peel back those layers and to get closer to where God lives.
That is as inward as it is outward journey.

I hope that helps answer your question.

Thanks again for sharing your heart and mind.

 

[InChrist]

I think it helps me to remember that it's a Practice, with growth and change,a being-ness and a verb, rather than an 'I am', noun-ness.
And for me that helps me stay focused on the action part...
Not in the resting in laurels, so to speak.

I believe the metaphor in Sufism are 'veils' between us and God.
Knowing where the veils are and that God is on the other side isn't the point, in my eyes.
It's to peel back those layers and to get closer to where God lives.
That is as inward as it is outward journey.

I hope that helps answer your question.

Thanks again for sharing your heart and mind.

Does the following passage have any meaning to you?

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom... Matthew 27:50-51

 

[JacobEzra.]

Note: I know this is a DIR so if my post is inappropriate I will remove it.

I found the OP very interesting. In my experience from my research of Constantine he is seen as one of God's greatest servants. This is seen in church history by Eusebius who is pretty obvious in his admiration for Constantine and what he did for early Christianity.

Tracing fundamentalism back to Constantine I himself is also a very interesting concept. What you describe very much correlates to the historical accounts but from a different perspective. The brutal suppression of dissidents was seen as "the stamping out of evil" by many supporters of Constantine, especially Eusebius who saw him as the ideal ruler. The concept of the ideal ruler was also seen in writings of Latin Catholic scholars.

However the way you present your article is similar to Zosimus who was very critical of the way Constantine ruled his empire. You also speak of a need for heirachy which makes sense. Constantine lived in a world where the whoever had the biggest stick and the most influence could have what they wanted. Constantine slaughtered his rivals to take power so in order to maintain power he would have had to maintain his brutality. Therefore, a heirachy of supression and the exploitation of Christianity to control the masses allowed him to do it.

There has been a hierarchy since Christ was taken up to Heaven

 

[SageTree]

Does the following passage have any meaning to you?

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom... Matthew 27:50-51

Well... I know that tearing of garments is a customary act, in Judaism, upon learning of a death of a loved one.
So, perhaps since the Temple is where God was said to have dwelt, perhaps this is a sign or symbol of God's mourning?

I don't immediately see other meaning, but perhaps you'd share what you believe it means.... to you?

:namaste
SageTree

 

[raw_thought]

"You also speak of a need for hierarchy which makes sense."
darkendless
Where? Perhaps i gave the wrong impression. Or do you mean a hierarchy in the sense that the ego is an illusion and inferior to the self?