26 October 312 A.D. Constantine and Troops Five Miles North of
Rome Readying for Battle Against Maxentius.
Constantine’s
full name was Forius Valerius Constantius.
He was the son of Constantius Chlorus, western emperor of the Roman
Empire. His father died in 306. Constantine was declared Emperor by his
father’s army.
Meanwhile
back in Rome, the Praetorian Guard proclaimed Maxentius as the Emperor.
On
26 October 312, Constantine was
closing in on Rome, five miles north of the city.
According
to Eusebius, the church historian, Constantine claims to have seen a “flaming
cross in the sky” that evening with the Greek words Х and Р, or, χ and ρ, or,
the first two Greek characters for Christos or Christ. Allegedly, reportedly,
Constantine was reassured with the term “In this sign, conquer.” Allegedly, Mr.
Constantine told his troops to affix the XP symbol on shields, an alleged
encouragement for the Christians in his army.
Maxentius,
the same night before the battle, was engaged in divinizations and sacrifices
to Roman deities. Maxentius decided to fight on the Tiber River with the
Milvian Bridge behind him. Maxentius and
troops lost their lives and the battle.
Maxentius’s body was found in the Tiber the next day.
Of
note, the following year, 313, Mr. Constantine granted religious freedom to
Christians and pagans alike. Religious
worship was now legal. Confiscated church properties were ordered for
restoration. He allowed bishops to now settle civil suits. He closed workshops
and courts on the Lord’s Day. He banned
gladiatorial games. He played a major role in summoning the Nicene Council of
325 A.D. But, questions remain.
He
had a darker side. His wife, sister of Maxentius and son were murdered under
questionable circumstances. He never relinquished his title as the chief priest
of the Roman state religion. His coins
affirmed allegiance to the Sun god. He delayed the sign and seal of grace in
baptism till near death.
Questions:
- Which volumes should be consulted for an academic review of Constantine? Eusebius’s memorial, of course, is somewhat hagiographic.
- How should Constantine be weight….good and bad…benefits and drawbacks?
- Given the Article in the Thirty-nine Articles on state religion, given the US Constitution and given Dr. Abraham Kuyper’s relation to the state church, what scholarly volumes exist on church-state relations?
Sources
Durant.
Caesar and Christ. 653-64.
“Constantine
the Great.” EC. 3: 155-6.
Eusebius.
Ecclesiastical History. 9:9.
Frend.
The Rise of Christianity. 473-515.
Hicks,
C. “Constantine the Great.” WWCH. 172-3.
Wordworth,
J. “Constantius 1.” DCB. 203-12.
Wright,
D.F. “Constantine the Great (c. 274-337).” NIDCC. 255-6.
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