Was Constantine's conversion to Christianity real?

Answer 1

Constantine attributed his conversion to Christianity to the vision he saw in the sky, presumably of stars (or other stellar objects) that formed the shape of a cross or something cross-like. This happened just before the battle of the Milvian Bridge, in 312.

Constantine's actions after his victory at Milvian Bridge, over the usurper Maxentius, leads us to think that Constantine believed that his safety as emperor, and the safety of the empire as a whole, depended upon the Christian god, known to us simply as God. This is reflected in his actions to favour the Christians, and to assist in building churches.

While the reality of Constantine's conversion has been challenged, historians have struggled to find another reason for his sudden favouring of Christianity. At the time of his reported conversion, Constantine was the emperor in charge of the Roman Empire in the west, where Christianity was still very much a minority religion. His conversion would not have served an immediate political end: it was an act of faith, in defiance of the odds.

It is accepted that Constantine's reported failures at a personal level are a problem for anyone studying his life. Notable among these is that he had his most beloved and first son, Crispus, killed, and some time later also his wife, Fausta. A fifth century (and unfriendly) report said that these things happened after Fausta (Crispus' step-mother) falsely accused Crispus of intending to have an affair with her.

If Constantine is judged to have been precipitate and overreacted in these matters, he is hardly alone in this regard. For someone with absolute authority, who is there to restrain him in his anger, or venality? For another example, we need look no further than King David.

It is also acknowledged that Constantine only came relatively slowly to a proper understanding of Christianity. The coins minted during this period show the difficulty that even those close to him had in coming to terms with his new religion, and at the most only show that he was only gradually coming to realise that Sol Invictus, the "unconquerable sun," and Christ, should not be assimilated into the one new cult. On the other hand, he was already trying to help in solving disputes, such as the one tearing apart the Church in North Africa.

Although Constantine was only baptised on his death-bed, that is not surprising in that age, and entirely understandable given the inherent difficulties involved in his self-appointed role as an emperor who was also a Christian. Indeed, a death-bed baptism indicates that he continued to trust in Christ for his salvation and retained the hope of eternal life right to the end of his life.

Based on this evidence, it is difficult to say that Constantine's conversion was not real. Furthermore, despite the problems that it brought in its train, particularly when viewed from a modern perspective of the separation of the affairs of Church and State, it gave the Church an extended period of peace, and the chance for it to grow both numerically and geographically, without the opposition of the government.

See also the related question, listed below, "What brought about Constantine's conversion to Christianity?"