The Conversion of Constantine
John Eadie in his article “Constantine” speaks to the
circumstances surrounding Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. Constantine
the Great, as he was known, was not simply placed into a position of power from
the start; he had to wade through murky waters as it were until the dust
settled between he and Galerius, eastern emperor in 305. Instead of being
abdicated into his father’s position, he had to wait until his father died in
306 to make a claim for power. He had the support of the British and Gallic
armies but Galerius resisted. Maxentius rebelled. Civil unrest broke out in the
empire for seven years. Constantine was able to remove Maxentius from power in
312. Observers tell of Constantine having had visions on the “eve of battle”
and that his victory was more than a simple act of politics, it was more,
Constantine believed, “won by divine assistance.”
The impact of the Fall of the Western
Empire on the Church
The Western Empire’s demise began in the fifth century. Goth armies invaded and decimated Rome. Vandals came in soon after overwhelming the country by sea. In the sixth century war between the Goths and Byzantine saw Rome victorious, but would quickly lose its stronghold to the Lombards although they did not overthrow the whole of Italy. Nonetheless, war with the Lombards left Rome with little ability to thrive. Marble, a major commodity was no longer quarried, and her magnificent edifices were being left to decline. And yet, the author of “THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE: Did it Collapse or Was it Transformed?” presents a view that perhaps the Western Empire did not decline and fall, but rather transformed and revitalized; a view brought to prominence by author Peter Brown in his work, World of Late Antiquity. In either case, Christianity was greatly affected by the fall or transformation of Rome in that, “it became established and defined” says Brown. The spread of Christianity into various parts of the world took place most effectively whilst away from Rome than when she enjoyed great power.
The Western Empire’s demise began in the fifth century. Goth armies invaded and decimated Rome. Vandals came in soon after overwhelming the country by sea. In the sixth century war between the Goths and Byzantine saw Rome victorious, but would quickly lose its stronghold to the Lombards although they did not overthrow the whole of Italy. Nonetheless, war with the Lombards left Rome with little ability to thrive. Marble, a major commodity was no longer quarried, and her magnificent edifices were being left to decline. And yet, the author of “THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE: Did it Collapse or Was it Transformed?” presents a view that perhaps the Western Empire did not decline and fall, but rather transformed and revitalized; a view brought to prominence by author Peter Brown in his work, World of Late Antiquity. In either case, Christianity was greatly affected by the fall or transformation of Rome in that, “it became established and defined” says Brown. The spread of Christianity into various parts of the world took place most effectively whilst away from Rome than when she enjoyed great power.
The role of heretical Christianity on
the advent of Islam
W. P. Stephens
in, Understanding
Islam – in the light of Bullinger and Wesley, gives us perspective regarding the advent of Islam, its ideas, beliefs,
and motives for being from Bulliger and Wesley. Bullinger believed that Mohamed
was a fraud; his revelations and visions were all the work of a “heretical
monk, perverted Jews, and false Christians.” He also believed the
aforementioned were influenced by corrupt Arians, Macedonians, and Nestorians;
none of which wanted to see the Church of Christ succeed in any way. Bullinger
believed that Islam’s rise to fame is parallel to the OT people God punished
using “unbelieving heathen” when His people were disobedient. Wesley’s
perspective on Islam is different from Bullinger in that he believes it to be a
religion all its own. Nevertheless, he deems those that follow Islam “a little
above heathens.” Wesley’s part in the article deals more with the salvation of
the Muslim. He asserts that most have not heard the gospel and thus should not
be judged without their being given the message in proper fashion.
Bibliography
Eadie, John W. 2005. Constantine.
Encyclopedia
of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd
ed. 3:1966-1967, http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?action=interpret&id=GALE%7CCX3424500645&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w&authCount=1
(accessed Sept. 3, 2012).
Stephens, W.P. 2009. Understanding Islam -- in the light of Bullinger and
Wesley. Evangelical Quarerly 81,
no. 1:23-37. http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ehost/detail?sid=b2055b08-05e0-43b0-aaf2-05bb6b1368d8%40sessionmgr12&vid=7&hid=15&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=rlh&AN=39886154
(accessed September 4, 2012).
Ward-Perkins,
Bryan. 2005. The End of the Roman Empire: Did it Collapse Or was it
Transformed? History Today 55,
no. 6:12-6. http://search.proquest.com/docview/202817654?accountid=12085
(accessed September 3, 2012).
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