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.
Posts
Constantin's Christianity remains ambiguous until now. People are still debating on the latter and we need further analysis on that.
ReplyDeleteBut if you ask my own judgment, it's a win-win on both sides, Constantin made himself a great leader as well as made a good floor for Christianity to set. He may or may not be genuine on his end but for the Christians, He's a God-sent...
he is fake..............he used Christianity in his quest of power
ReplyDeleteConstantine, presided the council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and resulted for Arius to be vanished. But guess what, who baptized Constantine when he was about to die? An Arian Priest!
ReplyDeletegreat job in investigating Constantine's life.. it's factual and interesting :)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say whether his faith is genuine or not. What's clear to see here is that he aims to gain favor for his political purposes. And the implementation of some pagan practices into Christianity might be possibly due to his ignorance to the laws of the Bible.
ReplyDeleteBut I guess these are all God's plan. Constantine has been called by God and has been made qualified to bring peace and prosperity.. and to bring birth to Christianity.
I don't know, God knows. For me, it doesn't matter. God can use a true believer and a 'not true believer' alike to accomplish His will. But for Constantine's sake, I hope he was a true believer.
ReplyDeleteI cannot judge whether he is true or not with his faith. Its only God who can do that. However, I thank Constantine for making Sunday a holiday to make way for worshipers to gather together freely.
ReplyDeleteConstantine's faith was not genuine. He was not truly christian, he embraced christianity just to influence people and rule over them
ReplyDeleteJust able to learn about Constantine, only God can judge him about his faith and being a christian.
ReplyDeleteThe veracity of Constantine's genuine faith in Christ is a thing to grapple with. first, we in th twentieth century cannot deny the contribution of Constantine to Christianity. With his espousal in enforcing faith in Christ in the lives of his people has brought Christianity thus far.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, the professions and confessions of Constantine belies his the essence of his hegemony. He was given and he also chose to play ball with the name "Pontifex Maximus" - which is interpreted as a head of the pagan priesthood. Rome was noted and relished by their many gods and this certifies the view that Constantine worshiped and served Christ, but he was still serving and worshiping other gods in his kingdom. Jesus explicated on the point that one cannot serve "God and mammon" and the latter was what Constantine played ball with.
Lastly, though Christianity was a minor class in the Roman empire, but their presence always scared the emperors, and this premise asserts that to win the Christians to one's favor as an emperor is a worthwhile feat in establishing the kingdom. Constantine was besotted and fixated with this desire so he orchestrated a plan to buy the allegiance of the Christians so that he can help restructure and establish his kingdom. This is the reason Christianity was freed from persecution during Constantine's time.
This religious toleration halted the persecution, but it lessened the zealousness the church was born with.
People show what they really are in their last moments
ReplyDeleteEvery person is entitled to his or her own opinion,
ReplyDeletewhether Constantine the great was a Christian or not, he still paved the way to Christianity. We can not deny it, he was a tool in spreading the religion during his reign and era.
In the end, i think only God can judge him as a person. i for one am just thankful Constantine was sent here to help spread the religion and make people aware of Christianity.
1. So what do you think?'
ReplyDeleteConstantine was long dead and it impossible to prove whether his plan on turning the Roman empire into Christian genuine or Politically driven. But one thing is for sure, it is indeed the stepping stone of Christianity to expand.
2. Was Constantine's faith genuine?
Even if he is still alive today we cannot tell. Its between him and God.
3. Was he really a Christian?
In my humble opinion he is a Christian. Although he was baptized late, it has nothing to do with salvation.
4. Or did he fake it to earn the support of the Christians?
It could be possible but one thing is for sure, he became the stepping stone of growth of Christianity.
If the Cross and the words "In this sign conquer" really appeared, how could he not be a genuine Christian?
ReplyDeletewell, whether he's a genuine Christian or not, only God can tell.
ReplyDeletenone of us is in the position to judge him or anybody else about their relationship with Christ.
a lot of people nowadays are professing they're "Christians" but live a life that is very worldly and carnal. are they really Christians? well, the judgment doesn't belong to us...