Constantine, Church & State

Constantine reigned as Roman emperor from 306 to 337. As the first emperor to publicly convert to Christianity, Constantine introduced a strong Church-State relationship, to which we witness several advantages and disadvantages. Amid Christian persecution, Constantine offered protection, financial stability, and unity within the Church. Conversely, the blurred lines of Constantine's leadership on State and the Church exposed the Church to theological vulnerability, and his rivals attacking Christians employing political advantage. The "Constantinian" approach to the Church-State relationship ultimately strengthened and promoted Christianity in the Roman Empire; however, it also sanctioned the emperor's control and political controversies.

As a newly professing believer, one of Constantine's first acts as emperor was enacting the Edict of Milan. Through this agreement, he established protection for Christians to worship freely with several advantages for the Church within the empire (Lenski, 72). In time, not only did the emperor restore properties to the Church, but he also built new temples for Christians and relieved the clergy from public service (Lenski, 72, 77). This new era offered security for Christians, unlike they had seen before. 

Though the Church was free from financial burden, opponents of Constantine were acutely aware of his disposition to Christianity. In his rivalry and "collapse of joint rule," Licinius attacked Christians due to political tensions. Yet, when Licinius and Constantine were previously on good terms, he had defended the faith as he ordered his troops to memorize and recite a prayer before battle (Lenski, 73). Nevertheless, Licinius persecuted, expelled, and even executed Christians (Lenski, 75). The Christian-professing emperor exposed the Church to both political security and strife.

As emperor of Rome advocating for the Church, Constantine was attentive to the disputes within the Church as he believed it would lead to discord within the empire. He promoted the strength and unity of the Church and even supposed he had "jurisdiction over the church" (Hill, 61) as he affirmed himself a "spiritual monarch" (Lenski, 80). The shift in power for the Church seems questionable, especially as the emperor also appeared to have devotion to Sol Invictus (Lenski, 77). Within the Arian controversy, it is possible that his primary concern to call the council of Nicaea was for political reasons to ensure the strength of his empire. Still, Lenski notes his attempts to establish harmony "were genuine" for the Church (Lenski, 80).

Emperor Constantine significantly advanced the Christian Church. Even though the promotion of Christianity exposed the Church to political strife and leadership, the effects of the "Constantinian" Church-State relationship are still seen today. 

Recommended Reading: Failure of Empire by Noel Lenski and The History of Christian Thought by Jonathan Hill