Legalization of Christianity by Constantine

Christianity began as a Jewish sect. The Romans and Jews did not interact well with each other but Jews were allowed to live according to their faith. Since Christianity was seen as a division of the Jewish faith, they were not feared or ridiculed. Though eventually it was discovered that Christianity was its own religion separate from the Jews and Roman citizens quickly took action. Christianity was seen as a “deadly superstition” by the Romans (Ferguson 473). They were despised and miss understood because no one could fathom worshiping a crucified man, abandoning Greek religion, believing in the resurrection, and accepting doctrines by faith rather than by demonstration (Ferguson 478). Becau

The Edict of Toleration was issued in 311 CE, which granted Christians freedom to practice their religion and reconstruct fallen church buildings as long as they did not disrupt public order (Boak 430). Two years later, in 313 CE, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan. This was a major step for the shift of Christianity from an illegal faith towards a national religion. This edict assured their freedom to practice religion, and re-establish their places of worship (Irvin 162). “Constantine saw in Christianity the religion which could and should provide a spiritual bond among his subjects as well as a moral basis for political loyalty to himself as the elect God” (Boak 433).

Constantine’s motivation behind refocusing the capital was mainly to spread Christianity to the east where it had not yet reached. Seeing as the emperor had moved away from the city, the citizens sought someone else to be dependent upon for political and spiritual advice or problems. The bishop obtained political power by fulfilling the need of the citizens for a local leader.

Though Christianity was finally legalized there were still some hindrances the Romans had to accepting this new religion. Christianity was still a force of tradition and the structure of society because it went against family customs (Ferguson 486). Paganism had stories of divine births and heroes but it had no genuine doctrine of an incarnation. This was reason most pagans decided to accept the Christian faith. Though there were hindrances to Christianity such as the power of tradition, prejudice, governmental authority, religious rivals on the outside, and Christianity’s own unpalatable teachings and disunity; the “historical fact remains that Christianity succeeded” (Gonzalez 338). With Christianity being legal there was no longer a fear of humiliation and persecution when converting because public persecution was no longer permitted. This advancement was good for the spreading of Christianity and the church but it also opened a window for false proclamations of faith.

Christians faced a hard life day to day. Everywhere they went they were being harassed about their belief in a god no one could comprehend. Many people were hesitant to abandon their Greek faith they had known all of their lives because it could mean being outcast by their families as well as the rest of the Roman citizens. Those that chose to become Christians and lead a different life than others had a tremendous amount of faith in their god and what Jesus did for them on the cross. True Christians proclaimed the faith until the day they died or were put to death. They stood up against the persecutions and ministered to others knowing the dreadful fate they might have to suffer.

the Holy Law and that our most blessed faith

The persecution of Christians was ever present but was not a constant experience; it often depended on the circumstances of the empire. Often the pressure from the crowds provoked persecution, while the authorities tried to get Christians to conform outwardly so as to avoid the death penalty. Tacitus’ account of Nero’s action against Christians in Rome is the first recorded official persecution of Christians by the empire. “Nero fastened

Some topics in this essay:
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