Church History 4

Church History
“Church of the State &
State of the Church”
AD311-590

The Role of Constantine
1. Illegitimate son of Roman military leader and oriental freedwoman
2. Claimed to have had a vision of the cross and a command to conquer
3. Granted freedom of worship in 313
4. Became sole ruler of empire in 324
5. Baptized just prior to his death

The Reforms of Constantine
1. Granted freedom of worship
2. Restored property to Christians
3. Gave financial help to poor congregations
4. Made church property tax exempt
5. Made clergy exempt from military service
6. Made bishops local judges
7. Memorialized historic Christian sites
8. Called for church councils
9. Made 1st day of week a holiday
10. Declared Dec. 25th official celebration of Jesus’ birth

How did Christianity change the state?
1. Women gained greater equality
2. The entertainment industry obtained a conscience
3. Slaves were treated with more dignity
4. Legistlation became more just

The Legacy of Constantine
1. Conversion became popular
2. Line blurred b/w Pagan & Christian living
3. Line blurred b/w State & Church
4. Wars became more ‘godly’
5. Church became institutionalized
Doctrines
-Trinitarian Controversy
-Christological Controversy
-Pelegian Controversy
Writings
Leadership
Buildings
Funding

The Conversion of the Empire
1. The Armenians were converted by Gregory the Illuminator
2. Frumentius won Ethiopia
3. The British Isles were won by Pelagus
4. Goths became Arian under Ulfilas
5. Martin & Gregory de Tours converted the Franks
6. Patrick evangelized Ireland
7. Columba evangelized Scotlland
8. Celtic and Roman Christians led Anglo-Saxons to Christ

The End of the Empire
INTERNAL PROBLEMS
Patriotism decreased as interest in God’s kingdom increased
EXTERNAL PROBLEMS
Overwhelming number of invaders (barbarians & muslims)