Was Constantine Really A Christian??.........

[Tim Myers]

Legend has it that Constantine did not actually become a Christian until he was lying on his deathbed.....

Some debate this, however.......

I have read the historical "records" for both sides of the argument and do not know quite what to believe.....

If there are any members who know what I am talking about here, what do you think about it??

Was Constantine really a Christian?

 

[CryptoLutheran]

He received Baptism on his deathbed from Eusebius of Nicomedia (not to be confused with Eusebius of Caesarea, who wrote the famous Church Histories and about the life of Constantine). It's also worth pointing out that Eusebius of Nicomedia was an Arian, while that doesn't effect Constantine's Baptism, it's still an interesting fact none-the-less.

Was Constantine a Christian? The deathbed baptism isn't a good indicator, that was somewhat common at the time.

I think, as far as anyone can ever tell, he was. I have no reason to deny the sincerity of his conviction without going around standing in judgment of other people. I do think he found Christianity politically expedient, but since when have politicians not found religion politically expedient? American politicians on both sides of the political divide use religion for their own reasons, but that doesn't mean they don't have sincere conviction.

I think Constantine was a shrewd politician, I think it's unfortunate that Christianity became entangled with Roman politics and Roman imperial power, but I don't think Constantine bears the entire burden of that.

Constantine is God's to judge, I don't think he was saintly, nor do I think he was particularly awful; he was just an emperor, a Christian one yes, how "good" of a Christian I really don't know but like I said I have no reason to deny the sincerity of his conviction.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[E.C.]

Yes, he was.

 

[Tim Myers]

Well, I guess that settles it, then........

 

[Yarddog]

Legend has it that Constantine did not actually become a Christian until he was lying on his deathbed.....

Some debate this, however.......

I have read the historical "records" for both sides of the argument and do not know quite what to believe.....

If there are any members who know what I am talking about here, what do you think about it??

Was Constantine really a Christian?

Well, does a person have to be baptized in order to believe? Eusebius reports of his baptism and also many of his actions and I see no reason to think that he didn't believe.

 

[ardhoniell.deanta]

He did believe in the Christian faith, that is for sure. I was taught that he did not get baptized until he was dying. This is because, as king, he knew he was going to have to declare war etc. in order to keep his kingdome intact. He thought he might run into some things he wouldn't want to do as a Christian, but would as a king.