Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus or commonly known as Constantine I, Constantine the Great, or Saint Constantine is the first Roman Emperor to embrace Christianity. He opened the doors of the great and stalwart empire of Rome to a religion which was unpopular and widely opposed during his day.Story has it, when Constantine was on his way to conquer Rome to wage war against Maxentius he saw a vision from heaven. In that vision he saw a cross in the sky and the words "in this sign conquer" which was clearly from the God of the Christians. He then stormed Rome with his inferior army. Constantine and his men defeated the more superior army of Maxentius in the battle at the Milvian Bridge just outside Rome. His success proved the superiority of Christ and the power of the Christian religion.
Even in his exemplified recognition of Christ, many have questioned Constantine's faith. Bruce L. Shelley puts it this way:
"Some historians have considered Constantine's "conversion" a political maneuver. He still practiced paganism . He conspired; murdered; he even retained his title Pontifex Maximus as head of the state religious cult.But a purely political conversion is hard to maintain in the light of his public and private actions. From the year 312, he favored Christianity openly. He allowed Christian ministers to enjoy the same exemption from taxes as the pagan priest; he abolished executions by crucifixion; he called a halt to the battle of gladiators as a punishment for crimes; and in 321 he made Sunday a public holiday."
On the other hand, there were proofs to Constantine's real conversion. Shelley goes on to say:
"This public Christianity was matched by changes in Constantine's private life. Making no secret of his Christian convictions, he had his sons and daughters brought up as Christians and led a Christian family life. Bishop Eusebius of Nicodemia baptized him shortly before he died in 337. After his baptism, Constantine refused to wear again the imperial purple and thus left this life dressed in his white baptismal robes."
We are forever grateful for Constantine's contribution to the spread of Christianity. Clearly God used such a man to fulfill his plan and bring glory to his name. Whether he is a Christian or not, it is for us to decide and understand what implications it brings to our faith.
We are forever grateful for Constantine's contribution to the spread of Christianity. Clearly God used such a man to fulfill his plan and bring glory to his name. Whether he is a Christian or not, it is for us to decide and understand what implications it brings to our faith.
Discussion:
1. So what do you think?
2. Was Constantine's faith genuine?
3. Was he really a Christian?
4. Or did he fake it to earn the support of the Christians?
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Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I
Bruce L. Shelley, Church History in Plane Language.
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