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Why is the fourth century considered such a turning point in the history of the church?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
The fourth century began with Emperor Constantine giving the Christian Church state patronage, as well as beginning the long persecution of the pagan temples. It not only became fashionable to be a Christian, it was a prerequisite for those with ambition in imperial service.
The fourth century continued under a series of Christian emperors, with only the brief reign of Julian the Apostate breaking the sequence. Each Christian emperor furthered the cause of Christianity, while creating more hardship for pagans.
In 381, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of empire. In 391, he made the public worship of the pagan gods a criminal offence punishable by death. Soon, Christian mobs, often led by their bishops, were ransacking the temples and burning pagan books.
In the space of one century, Christianity went from a relatively fringe sect to the only approved religion in the entire Roman Empire.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoChristianity became the official religion to the roman empire.
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Who are the first century church fathers?
The apocalyptic Jewish sect are considered as the first century church fathers.
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P. F. Campbell has written: 'The church in Barbados in the seventeenth century' -- subject(s): Church history
