The Myth of Constantine
(Excerpted from an upcoming article on the worship of the Early Church ... )
**************************
Many non-Catholics tenaciously cling to the myth that Constantine made Christianity the religion of the state with his Edict of Milan, but this is not true. The Edict of Milan merely gave Christians the right to practice their religion; it gave them an equal status among the pagan religions; in essence, it was a declaration of religious liberty, not a declaration that Christianity alone could be practiced in the state. It was not until the late 4th century, approximately 380-381 that Emperor Theodosius I issued the Theodosian Code, ruling that Christianity would be the religion of the empire, and that all false religions would not be tolerated.
To quickly compare, the Edict of Milan stated, "I, Constantine Augustus, as well as I, Licinius Augustus ... thought, among other things ... that we might grant to the Christians and others full authority to observe that religion which each preferred ... no one whatsoever should be denied the opportunity to give his heart to the observance of the Christian religion, of that religion which he should think best for himself ... it has pleased us to remove all conditions whatsoever ... concerning the Christians and now any one of these who wishes to observe Christian religion may do so freely and openly, without molestation ... we have also conceded to other religions the right of open and free observance of their worship for the sake of the peace of our times, that each one may have the free opportunity to worship as he pleases; this regulation is made we that we may not seem to detract from any dignity or any religion."
In contrast, the Theodosian Code stated, "It is our desire that all the various nations ... should continue to the profession of that religion which was delivered to the Romans by the divine Apostle Peter, as it has been preserved by faithful tradition and which is now professed by the Pontiff Damasus ... let us believe in the one diety of the father, Son and Holy Spirit, in equal majesty and in a holy Trinity. We authorize the followers of this law to assume the title Catholic Christians; but as for the others, since in our judgment they are foolish madmen, we decree that the shall be branded with the ignominious name of heretics, and shall not presume to give their conventicles the name of churches. They will suffer in the first place the chastisement of divine condemnation and the second the punishment of our authority."
Given that the non-Catholic argument (that when Christianity became the state religion, it quickly embraced syncretism and incorporated pagan elements, such as the worship of the Queen Mother, etc.) depends upon this decree, it cannot be said that the Church became corrupt until at least 380 AD. Therefore, a compilation of early Church testimonies that precedes the end of the 4th century cannot be said to be corrupt testimony, to be blamed on pagan influence.
**************************
**************************
Many non-Catholics tenaciously cling to the myth that Constantine made Christianity the religion of the state with his Edict of Milan, but this is not true. The Edict of Milan merely gave Christians the right to practice their religion; it gave them an equal status among the pagan religions; in essence, it was a declaration of religious liberty, not a declaration that Christianity alone could be practiced in the state. It was not until the late 4th century, approximately 380-381 that Emperor Theodosius I issued the Theodosian Code, ruling that Christianity would be the religion of the empire, and that all false religions would not be tolerated.
To quickly compare, the Edict of Milan stated, "I, Constantine Augustus, as well as I, Licinius Augustus ... thought, among other things ... that we might grant to the Christians and others full authority to observe that religion which each preferred ... no one whatsoever should be denied the opportunity to give his heart to the observance of the Christian religion, of that religion which he should think best for himself ... it has pleased us to remove all conditions whatsoever ... concerning the Christians and now any one of these who wishes to observe Christian religion may do so freely and openly, without molestation ... we have also conceded to other religions the right of open and free observance of their worship for the sake of the peace of our times, that each one may have the free opportunity to worship as he pleases; this regulation is made we that we may not seem to detract from any dignity or any religion."
In contrast, the Theodosian Code stated, "It is our desire that all the various nations ... should continue to the profession of that religion which was delivered to the Romans by the divine Apostle Peter, as it has been preserved by faithful tradition and which is now professed by the Pontiff Damasus ... let us believe in the one diety of the father, Son and Holy Spirit, in equal majesty and in a holy Trinity. We authorize the followers of this law to assume the title Catholic Christians; but as for the others, since in our judgment they are foolish madmen, we decree that the shall be branded with the ignominious name of heretics, and shall not presume to give their conventicles the name of churches. They will suffer in the first place the chastisement of divine condemnation and the second the punishment of our authority."
Given that the non-Catholic argument (that when Christianity became the state religion, it quickly embraced syncretism and incorporated pagan elements, such as the worship of the Queen Mother, etc.) depends upon this decree, it cannot be said that the Church became corrupt until at least 380 AD. Therefore, a compilation of early Church testimonies that precedes the end of the 4th century cannot be said to be corrupt testimony, to be blamed on pagan influence.
**************************
<< Home