Constantine’s conversion and the Council of Nicaea

OutlineConstantine and the Roman Empire of 300

C.E.Constantine’s conversionThe nature of Christ’s divinityThe Council of NicaeaThe faith and the church today

Emperor Constantine the Great

Emperor of Rome 306—337

Mother Helena was Christian

Tolerant of Christians, rescinded persecutions

The Roman Empire

Christianity in early 4th centuryGrowing, well entrenched in

cities (majority faith?)Christians tolerated, held good

jobs

Great Persecution: 303-311

Mainly church leaders tortured and killed

Little popular support

Constantine’s Conversion 312 C.E.

Constantine’s Support for the ChurchCancellation of persecution, restitutionMassive donations of land, property, goldWealth, privilege, legal powers, exempt from

taxes and civic duties – influx of aristocratsChurch-building

St. Peters in Rome, abovePeter’s grave

Jerusalem – Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Jesus’ tomb)

Debate and Discord

Trying to understand the One God in the Scriptures

How does Jesus Christ relate to God the Father?Was there a time when

Jesus did not exist?What is the nature of

Jesus’ divinity?Is the Son “less divine”

than the Father?

Arius of Alexandria The Son is distinct from the Father.The Son came into being after the

Father.

“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old.” Proverbs 8:22

“ … for the Father is greater than I.” John 14:28

“Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature.” Luke 2:52

Bishop AlexanderThe Son is one with the Father.The Son has always existed and

proceeded from the Father.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Col0ssians 1:15

“I and the Father are one.” John 10:30

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” Hebrews 1:1

Council of Nicaea 325 C.E.Called by Constantine to develop unity in the

church~200 bishops, mostly from the East

The Original Creed of 325 AD

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father the only-begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father;

By whom all things were made both in heaven and on earth;

Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was made man;

He suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven;

From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

The Original Creed of 325 AD (continued)

And in the Holy Ghost.

But those who say: 'There was a time when he was not;' and 'He was not before he was made;' and 'He was made out of nothing,' or 'He is of another substance' or 'essence,' or 'The Son of God is created,' or 'changeable,' or 'alterable'—they are condemned by the holy catholic and apostolic Church.

Other actions of the CouncilMethod for determining Easter, without

relying on the JewsRules to order the growing church – very

importantPenalties for those who lapsed in the

PersecutionDefeated a motion that clergy should

separate from their wivesCondemned kneeling at prayer on Sundays

AftermathArius was

subsequently restored to the church

Second Council of Nicaea in 386 further revised the creed

Debates continued for 100+ years

Meaning for us today

Would the church be “better” today if it had not been so strongly tied to political and financial power?

How narrowly should orthodox doctrine be defined?

Would the church have continued its strong growth without the strong patronage of the state?

ReferencesA. H. M. Jones, “Constantine and the

conversion of Europe”, 1978 – lengthy description of this period, including sources on the council (from West Chester Library)

Rodney Stark, “The Triumph of Christianity”, 2011 – how and why the church grew (from West Chester Library)

“Christian History and Biography”, Issue 80 Winter 2005 – issue theme of Council of Nicaea (from Father Jeff)

Next WeekThe Crusades