To quell the political turmoil growing in his religiously divided empire, Constantine attempted to pull people together by 'blending' all the religions into one state religion, thus, he thought, removing causes for division. Thus "Christendom began with the Emperor Constantine"(Malcolm Muggeridge in his book The End of Christendom).
Because of the history of Constantine and his behavior (himself incriminated in the murder of no less than seven close friends and relatives), many feel that he did NOT 'support' the Christian faith, but rather 'influenced' it by developing a state religion, which incorporated pagan, secular and Christian ideas into one, disguised as "Christianity." (Acts 20:29, 30; 2Peter 2:1-3; 1John 2:18, 19)
If Constantine did anything, he blurred the lines of truth, creating a religious organization that became fully involved in the world, in direct opposition to Jesus teaching(John 18:36). Those who followed the true teachings of Jesus Christ would be 'objects of hatred' because of their adherence to Christ's teachings(Matthew 10:22), but with Constantine's support, Christendom's religion became the official State religion of Rome. "Christian bishops, once targets for arrest, torture, and execution, now received tax exemptions, gifts from the imperial treasury, prestige, and even influence at court; their churches gained new wealth, power, and prominence." (Elaine Pagels, professor of religion). Because of the foregoing, it is felt by many that Constantine's Christendom had become 'friends of the world'.-James 4:4.
AnswerThe general consensus is that Emperor Constantine I (306-337) was the first Christian emperor of Rome. Certainly, he made his support for Christianity clear. Some say that Emperor Philip (Philip the Arab, 244-249) was a Christian and was therefore the first Christian emperor. This is difficult to prove as, unlike Constantine, Philip gave no undue support to Christianity and made no attempt to persecute the pagan temples or discourage their use.Others argue that Constantine was not a true Christian, and only chose to make the Empire Christian to unite it under one faith.
Emperor Constantine was arguably one of the two or three most important people in the success of the Christian Church. Without his support, it is possible that Christianity might never have become the dominant religion of the Roman empire. It is even possible that, but for his support for Christianity and his persecution of the pagan temples, Christianity might have gradually faded away, as people lost interest in religion.
Constantine the Great was famous because he was the first Christian emperor of Rome. It was he who influenced the change in faith from the old gods to Christianity in Rome. The epithet "the Great" was added to his name by Christians because he had provided so much financial and imperial support for their faith. The pagans refused to use this epithet because it was he who began the long persecution of the pagan religion. Some years after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine declared that he had seen a sign in the sky, assuring him of victory under the Christian God. The Christian historian, Eusebius, recorded his assertion to this effect nearly a quarter of a century later, but even he believed that the emperor was not altogether telling the truth about his vision.
In Constantine's days Christianity was still a religion of a small minority of the population of the Roman Empire and it was frowned upon and regarded as a weird and secretive sect by the pagan majority. Constantine was careful about pagan sensitivities. Thus, the churches were built outside the walls of the city. Even so, the original St Peter's Basilica, which he had built at the foot of the Vatican Hill was very large, which made his support for Christianity and the Bishop of Rome (later also called the pope) clear.
No it is not true. Caligula, or "Little Boots" as he was known amongst his troops was not the first Emporer to support Christianity. He was Ceaser for about 4 years. He had totally opposed views to Christianity, for example, he made his sister pregnat and cut the child out of her, no christian would support this! He even made a horse senator! The first Roman Emperor to support Christianity and even make it the State religion was Constantine I (280-337 A.D.)
AnswerThe general consensus is that Emperor Constantine I (306-337) was the first Christian emperor of Rome. Certainly, he made his support for Christianity clear. Some say that Emperor Philip (Philip the Arab, 244-249) was a Christian and was therefore the first Christian emperor. This is difficult to prove as, unlike Constantine, Philip gave no undue support to Christianity and made no attempt to persecute the pagan temples or discourage their use.Others argue that Constantine was not a true Christian, and only chose to make the Empire Christian to unite it under one faith.
Emperor Constantine was arguably one of the two or three most important people in the success of the Christian Church. Without his support, it is possible that Christianity might never have become the dominant religion of the Roman empire. It is even possible that, but for his support for Christianity and his persecution of the pagan temples, Christianity might have gradually faded away, as people lost interest in religion.
After Jesus and Paul, Constantine is perhaps the most important person for the development of the early Christian Church. That is why I chose him. What is most important to remember about Constantine is that he ascended the throne of an empire Christianity filled Constantine's need for a basis of religious unity quite well. Christians may have been a minority through the empire but they were a well-organized minority. First, Constantine moved to eliminate the external challenges posed by paganism, destroying their temples and books.
Constantine the Great was famous because he was the first Christian emperor of Rome. It was he who influenced the change in faith from the old gods to Christianity in Rome. The epithet "the Great" was added to his name by Christians because he had provided so much financial and imperial support for their faith. The pagans refused to use this epithet because it was he who began the long persecution of the pagan religion. Some years after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine declared that he had seen a sign in the sky, assuring him of victory under the Christian God. The Christian historian, Eusebius, recorded his assertion to this effect nearly a quarter of a century later, but even he believed that the emperor was not altogether telling the truth about his vision.
No, as he says he's Christian and Christian don't support gay marriage.
Constantine helped spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. He issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which granted religious tolerance to Christians and allowed them to practice their faith openly. Constantine's conversion to Christianity and support of the religion played a significant role in its growth and development.
Whether the conversion of Emperor Constantine was a positive or negative thing depends on your perspective.But for Constantine's support and patronage, as well as the ensuing persecution of the pagan temples, Christianity might well have remained a minor religion in the Roman Empire. So, from a Christian perspective, it was very much a positive thing, leading to Constantine being labelled Constantine the Great.For pagans, it was a negative thing. Constantine began the long persecution of the pagans, the looting and destruction of the temples and eventually the forced conversion to Christianity.Even for the secular empire, it was probably a negative thing, because Constantine embarked on an ambitious program of building magnificent churches across the empire, thereby contributing to the demand for higher taxes on the middle classes, who, according to Edward Gibbon, were sometimes forced to sell their daughters into prostitution in order to meet these impositions.
The wider your base of support, the steadier you are.
Constantine was the Roman emperor from 306 or 307 to his death in 337.Constantine was the Roman emperor from 306 or 307 to his death in 337.Constantine was the Roman emperor from 306 or 307 to his death in 337.Constantine was the Roman emperor from 306 or 307 to his death in 337.Constantine was the Roman emperor from 306 or 307 to his death in 337.Constantine was the Roman emperor from 306 or 307 to his death in 337.Constantine was the Roman emperor from 306 or 307 to his death in 337.Constantine was the Roman emperor from 306 or 307 to his death in 337.Constantine was the Roman emperor from 306 or 307 to his death in 337.
In Constantine's days Christianity was still a religion of a small minority of the population of the Roman Empire and it was frowned upon and regarded as a weird and secretive sect by the pagan majority. Constantine was careful about pagan sensitivities. Thus, the churches were built outside the walls of the city. Even so, the original St Peter's Basilica, which he had built at the foot of the Vatican Hill was very large, which made his support for Christianity and the Bishop of Rome (later also called the pope) clear.
No it is not true. Caligula, or "Little Boots" as he was known amongst his troops was not the first Emporer to support Christianity. He was Ceaser for about 4 years. He had totally opposed views to Christianity, for example, he made his sister pregnat and cut the child out of her, no christian would support this! He even made a horse senator! The first Roman Emperor to support Christianity and even make it the State religion was Constantine I (280-337 A.D.)
Constantine divorced Minervina to make an alliance with Maximian, the former senior emperor (Augustus) who came out of retirement. Maximian marry offered Constantine to marry is daguther Fausta and to elevate him from junior emperor (Caesar) to Augustus. In exchange Constantine was to reaffirm the alliance between his family and that of Maximian and support Maximian's son, Maxentius. who had usurped power in Italy.