» How it was undone

Unfortunately, the amazing rise of the early Church ended with the “failure of success”. A common pattern in church history.

By one estimate, Christianity grew from around 1,000 followers in AD 40 to over six million by AD 300. What began as an obscure Jewish sect, became within three centuries, the strongest and most widely spread organisation other than the state. Ultimately it proved itself even stronger than the state. Unable to stamp the new faith out with persecution, the state gave in and made the church its ally.

“Never in so short a time has any… set of ideas, religious political, or economic, without the aid of physical force or of social or culture prestige, achieved so commanding a position in such an important culture.”
“The first five centuries (A History of the expansion of Christianity)” (Kenneth Scott Latourette) , 112.

Christianity spread, primarily as a “network phenomena” through ties of family and friends. The apostles did not function as settled clergy but traveled widely as the links between networks of congregations that were “run by and recruited by local, part-time amateurs.” (Stark)

Constantine’s troops proclaimed him Emperor in Britain in 306. It took him the next six years to gain control of Gaul and Spain. Now it was time to battle his rival Maxentius for Italy. As he led his army south for battle Constantine saw a vision of the cross superimposed on the sun and above the words In hoc signo vince, ‘Conquer in this sign’. He crossed the Alps and marched on towards Rome. Outside Rome before the decisive battle of the Milvian Bridge he had his troops mark their shields with the sign of the cross. Constantine won against all odds. The Christian God had brought him victory. A few months later, in March 313, his “Edict of Milan” put an end to the persecution of Christians and provided their faith with full legal recognition.

Persecution ceased and Christianity became the favoured religion of the Emperor. It had not yet become the official religion of the empire but was the recipient of massive state funding previously channeled to the pagan temples. Humble structures were replaced by magnificent public buildings. Constantine built the Church of St Peter in Rome modeled on the basilican form used for imperial throne halls. The See of Rome received extensive land endowments and an imperial residence to house the Bishop and his staff. Church leaders, once recruited from the ranks and sustained by voluntary offerings suddenly became men of power, status and wealth in the imperial civil service. The result was a stampede into the priesthood. A stampede won by the sons of the aristocracy eager for privilege and exemption from taxation. Bishoprics were bought and sold. Huge bribes were paid to obtain them.

The emperor became actively involved in shaping the life of the Church. He called and presided over church councils, engaging in and attempting to resolve theological disputes. After 300 years of persecution and intolerance, Christians had finally been accepted into mainstream society.

The Church honored its part of the arrangement by praising Constantine as the model Christian emperor, the ‘friend of God’ who “frames his earthly government according to the pattern of the divine original.” (Eusebius) No mention is made of the fact that this model Christian emperor had murdered his father-in-law, wife and son.

Why should the sun-worshipping Constantine interest himself in an alliance with the Christian faith? Christianity had become so widespread that Tertullian (c. 200) could argue that if they were a subversive sect they could easily take over the empire by force. Not only was Christianity numerous, it was organised, universal, multi-racial and lead by an increasingly well-educated clergy. It has even begun to amass property. Christianity had become a force for stability in the empire. Its ideology fitted neatly into the aims and needs of the universal state. A marriage of convenience with the bride of Christ was an attractive proposition for Emperor Constantine.

Christianity now grew dramatically as a result of it favored position in society. Success altered the character of the faith that now blossomed.

“From a popular mass movement, supported by member donations and run by amateurs and poorly paid clergy, under Constantine Christianity was transformed into an elite organisation, lavishly funded by the state and bestowing wealth and power on the clergy. Thereupon church offices became highly sought by well-connected men, whose appointments greatly reduced the average Christian leader’s level of dedication.”“One True God : Historical Consequences of Monotheism” (Rodney Stark), 61.

The nature of Christian mission changed. Within the empire, coercion, legal decree and force replaced persuasion, lifestyle and relationships as methods of conversion. Dissent by non-conforming pagans or “heretics” was not tolerated. The Church now wielded the sword in pursuit of its mission. Christianity had identified itself with Graeco-Roman civilisation. By 500 AD, the vast majority within the empire called themselves Christian. The new leadership of the Church had no interest in taking the Gospel to the “barbarians” beyond the empire.

The responsibility for missions was now limited to the dedicated few within the monastic movement. The dominant method was to reproduce the model of Contantine’s conversion through the baptism of kings and the imposition of the Christian faith by force. A model of mission that lasted for over one thousand years.

Sobering reading for any movement at the height of success.

“One True God : Historical Consequences of Monotheism” (Rodney Stark)