Constantine and Christianity Essay

How did Constantine help to spread Christianity
Name
Course
Date of submission
Constantine’s control of the Roman Empire in 306-337 AD became the beginning of the change in the direction of the Christianity religion and its triumph at the end. The move stemmed from his dismay and displeasure with the persecution of Christians for over two centuries due to their failure to participate in an Imperial cult, a sin considered as treason. Also, his hate for the pagan practices and the need to create a universal church that would bring people together from all religious saw Christianity rising to become the dominant faith in the Roman Empire. Historians have always been at a loss as to how Constantine arrived at the Christianity religion, choosing to favor it over the others. Constantine’s commitment saw him make Christianity the empire’s religion by ending the persecution of Christians, supporting and developing the Nicaea Council, supporting the church financially, the building of the Christian city of Constantinople and persecuting other religions.
First, he facilitated and strengthened the Council of Nicaea in 325AD that streamlined the belief systems of Christians. Constantine’s view of the Christianity religion was that it would become the most significant pillar in uniting the Empire. Nevertheless, according to Bardill, he failed to realize the divisions existing within the faith, which had lasted for over two decades, until the fourth century when theological controversy that stated that the son of God was a beginning and a created being came out. These assertions by a Bishop threatened to disrupt the Christian faith and subsequently the Empire. Thus, out of concern, he convened the church’s council known as Nicaea Council, whose prerogative was to arrive at a common ground on various contentious Christian doctrines. The council was instrumental in developing a shared idea about Jesus and God, whereby, they agreed that both the Father and the Son were equal and that their creation was divinely by use of the similar substance. These ideas formed the basis of the Christian beliefs to date.[. Bardill, Jonathan. The council got Christians to agree on the definition of God and Jesus. (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2015)]
Second, he supported the development and spread of Christianity financially. After the victory, Constantine took personal responsibility in investing in the Christian faith by first ensuring the return of land and other property taken from all Christians. Further, according to Barnes, he then took charge of financially supporting the church in building numerous basilicas in Rome, the city of Constantinople, Antioch, and Alexandria, providing churches with esteemed vestments, furnishing, and treasury while financing the luxurious lifestyles of the Roman Bishops. The move incurred high expenses on the Empire, but to recover, Constantine necessitated all individuals that failed to convert to Christianity to pay for all these developments. Additionally, in 313 AD, he passed a decree that exempted all church officials from paying taxes. Moreover, he exempted all church officials from their obligations to the public to concentrate on the work of providing religious serv...