Outline Constantine and the Roman Empire of 300 C.E. Constantine’s conversion The nature of Christ’s divinity The Council of Nicaea The faith and the church today

Emperor Constantine the Great Emperor of Rome 306—337 Mother Helena was Christian Tolerant of Christians, rescinded persecutions

The Roman Empire

Christianity in early 4 th century Growing, well entrenched in cities (majority faith?) Christians tolerated, held good jobs Great Persecution: Mainly church leaders tortured and killed Little popular support

Constantine’s Conversion 312 C.E.

Constantine’s Support for the Church Cancellation of persecution, restitution Massive donations of land, property, gold Wealth, privilege, legal powers, exempt from taxes and civic duties – influx of aristocrats Church-building St. Peters in Rome, above Peter’s grave Jerusalem – Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Jesus’ tomb)

Debate and Discord Trying to understand the One God in the Scriptures How does Jesus Christ relate to God the Father? Was there a time when Jesus did not exist? What is the nature of Jesus’ divinity? Is the Son “less divine” than the Father?

Arius of Alexandria The Son is distinct from the Father. The Son came into being after the Father. “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old.” Proverbs 8:22 “ … for the Father is greater than I.” John 14:28 “Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature.” Luke 2:52

Bishop Alexander The Son is one with the Father. The Son has always existed and proceeded from the Father. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Col0ssians 1:15 “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” Hebrews 1:1

Council of Nicaea 325 C.E. Called by Constantine to develop unity in the church ~200 bishops, mostly from the East

The Original Creed of 325 AD We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father the only-begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made both in heaven and on earth; Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was made man; He suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

The Original Creed of 325 AD (continued) And in the Holy Ghost. But those who say: 'There was a time when he was not;' and 'He was not before he was made;' and 'He was made out of nothing,' or 'He is of another substance' or 'essence,' or 'The Son of God is created,' or 'changeable,' or 'alterable'—they are condemned by the holy catholic and apostolic Church.

Other actions of the Council Method for determining Easter, without relying on the Jews Rules to order the growing church – very important Penalties for those who lapsed in the Persecution Defeated a motion that clergy should separate from their wives Condemned kneeling at prayer on Sundays

Aftermath Arius was subsequently restored to the church Second Council of Nicaea in 386 further revised the creed Debates continued for 100+ years

Meaning for us today Would the church be “better” today if it had not been so strongly tied to political and financial power? How narrowly should orthodox doctrine be defined? Would the church have continued its strong growth without the strong patronage of the state?

References A. H. M. Jones, “Constantine and the conversion of Europe”, 1978 – lengthy description of this period, including sources on the council (from West Chester Library) Rodney Stark, “The Triumph of Christianity”, 2011 – how and why the church grew (from West Chester Library) “Christian History and Biography”, Issue 80 Winter 2005 – issue theme of Council of Nicaea (from Father Jeff)

Next Week The Crusades