Module 6: Constantine & the Victory of Christianity

Hi everyone, and welcome to the sixth module of the History of Christianity 1 Course. In this section, we'll be looking at a pivotal series of events for the early church, and the effects of these events for the following centuries.

This module will help you to understand not only the events surrounding the outward conversion of the Roman empire and the privileged place the church was given in that society, and the reasons for this. But in this module, you will also wrestle through what was beneficial about these events as well as the detrimental effects of this turning point in history. This module will introduce the short-term, and the more long-term effects, which will be explored in later modules. And the student will be given opportunity to process how these lessons can be applied to current social situations, by learning from their successes, as well as their failures.

Introductory Scenario

Imagine you just found out that you are the long-lost heir to the throne of a thriving country. You have a responsibility to rule wisely and in a godly manner. What kind of a leader would you aspire to be? What kind of laws would you pass? What principles and goals would inform how you ran the government? How would your Christian faith influence your approach to government? How would your government interact with the church? Please consider these questions and be watching for material that will help you answer them as you work through this module.

Module Objectives and Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, the student will:

  • Describe the history of the conversion of Constantine and its impact on Christianity in the Roman Empire.
  • Articulate the evidence for and against Constantine's conversion being genuine.
  • Describe both the positive and the negative outcomes of Christianity becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire.
  • Evaluate the long-term impact of the changes after Constantine realistically in light of the options available at that time, and apply this evaluation to current situations.
  • Articulate the lessons learned about the ideal state, ideal leader, and ideal church, and how those lessons can be applied.
  • Place the major people and events from this period in a general chronology.

Instruction Guides

In this section, you'll find links to important instructional documents for this module. Click the following links to open each document. There is a set of instructions for individual study and a document for group study.

Individual Student Guide
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Group Student Guide
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Textbook Content

In this section, you'll find a study guide for the textbook reading for module 6. And then you'll find the link to a practice quiz covering this textbook reading.

Textbook Reading List and Study Guide for Module 6
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This section also contains a review quiz to test your understanding of the textbook material for this module. By clicking the thumbnail below, you will be given a series of questions, in random order. The quiz will be different each time, so feel free to take it more than once.

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Textbook Review Quiz for Gonzalez ch. 13-14
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Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the Submit button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.


According to the Textbook, Which best describes the conversion of Constantine?

It way hypocritical, purely for the political support of Christians

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 137-139

It was probably genuine, but primarily focused on gaining the support of the powerful God of the Christians

Well Done

It was a genuine, wholehearted conversion

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 137-139

It was genuine, but not fully expressed in order to keep political support from pagans

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 137-139

For years after Constantine, Christianity and paganism enjoyed equal treatment by the state, and only much later was paganism suppressed

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 141
After Constantine, the quality of instruction and discipleship given to new converts declined

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 144-145
Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire

True

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 141

False

Well Done
After Constantine, Christian worship began to resemble imperial protocol

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 143
Which is NOT a way in which Constantine helped Christianity?

He persecuted pagans

Correct

He gave to the churches

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 140

He stopped the persecution

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 140

He restored confiscated property

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 140

All Christian leaders were in favor of venerating relics

True

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 144

False

Good Job
Which is NOT true of Constantinople?

It was built up with materials taken from other cities

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 136-137

It was originally called Byzantium

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 136-137

It grew very rapidly under Constantine

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 136-137

It was on the border of Europe and Asia

Sorry, see Gonzalez pp. 136-137

The Roman Senate supported it as the new capital

Good Job

In his "Church History" Eusebius sought to do more than just tell history. He also sought to advocate that Christianity was the goal of human history

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 152
When Constantine came to power over the entire empire, many Christians viewed him as the champion of Christianity against his rivals

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Gonzalez p. 135

Lecture Content

In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Constantine & the Victory of Christianity module. Click the thumbnail to open access to the video. There are also links with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface or download just the audio to listen offline.

Lecture Study Guide for Module 6
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Blank Lecture Notes for Module 6
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6: Constantine & the Victory of Christianity

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6: Constantine & the Victory of Christianity
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Supplemental Reading

In this section, you'll find a link to the supplemental reading article on the historical relationship between the church and the state. Think through the content of this brief article and use the insight gained as part of the course material Response and Application Reflection or Discussion.

Church and State

Reviews

In this section, you will find the review slides from the course lectures for module 6. This is a convenient way to view and review the summaries for each lecture. Click the Thumbnail picture to begin the slide show.

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Review Slides
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Click the prev. and next buttons (bottom right of the slide) to move through the slides. You can also click on any thumbnail to go directly to that slide.

Discussion/Reflection/Essay Questions

This section contains questions for further thought and discussion from Module 6. It is recommended that you take time to think through these issues in order to thoroughly grasp the significance and explore the application of the material you are learning. These questions can also be used as essay questions in a classroom setting exam. Below, you will find links to the Response and Application Reflection Instructions for Individuals, and the Response and Application Discussion Instructions for Groups. And you will find a link to the detailed question document for this module. Or Click the Thumbnail below to view the questions in a simplified format.

Instruction for Individuals
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Instruction for Groups
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Discussion/Reflection Questions for Module 6
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Discussion/Application Questions
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The following questions are for your thoughtful consideration and discussion:

  1. Was Constantine's conversion good for the church? Why or why not?
  2. Should the church exercise political influence? Should the church accept political preference? Why or why not?
  3. What could have been done better? How?
  4. What else did you learn? How does it apply?

(Optional) Timeline - Part 6

This section contains instructions for an optional Timeline activity to be constructed over all sixteen modules. Below is a link to the detailed instructions for this activity.

Timeline Project Instructions
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Step Six of the Timeline should include the following information:

  • Any significant events in the conversion and rule of Constantine, and how they impacted the church.
  • Any other significant events in the life of the church in the transition to official religion of the Roman empire.

Annotate any significant approaches, ideas and principles from the church, which resulted from its new favored status in the Roman empire, and which are applicable to the current church and Christian life.

(Optional) Principles Chart - Part 6

This section contains instruction for continuing an optional Principles Chart activity to be constructed over all sixteen modules. Below is a link to the detailed instructions for this activity.

Principles Chart Instructions
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Step Six of the Principles Chart will add any important principles noted from the conversion of Constantine and the resulting relationship between the church and the government, as well as the impact these issues had on the short-term and long-term health of the church and society, as well as the discussion about the ideal government, leadership, and church.

(Optional) Term Project Research

The student will continue researching about their chosen topic for their term project. The student should read the research of reputable historians (hopefully at least some writing from a faithful Christian world view). But, as much as possible, the student should also read primary sources, to learn firsthand the views and experiences of the people involved in those things. The course textbook the course bibliography, the course lectures, and the primary resource reading lists are good places to start for finding quality resources. And the student should continue research, following where their research leads, and filling any gaps in their knowledge. Below is a link to detailed instructions for the entire project.

Term Project Instructions
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Primary Source Reading

This section contains instructions and resources for the Primary Source Reading activity. The student should read a minimum of 10-20 pages from a primary resource or resources discussed in this module's lecture and write or discuss a brief response to their reading. Below is a link to detailed instructions for the Primary Source Reading, which contain a list of recommended resources, by module.

Primary Source Reading Instructions
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Links to Primary Sources
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The following is a list of the recommended primary sources for this module. This list contains links to the resources in print and/or online format. This links may change, so feel free to search for other sources for these same titles. In addition, please do not feel you are limited only to this list. Feel free to choose from any primary source from the period and topic covered in this module:

Review Quiz

This section is a link to a review quiz to test your understanding of the objective material for Module 6. By clicking the link, you will access a series of questions, in random order. Answer each question and then push the Submit button to check your answers. Every question must be answered before you can submit the quiz. At the end, you will be shown your score for the entire quiz. The quiz will be different each time, so feel free to take it more than once. Click the Thumbnail picture to begin the quiz.

Start Review Quiz

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Review Quiz for Module 6
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Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this module's lectures. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.


The newfound prestige and gain of being a leader in the church attracted more people who were seeking prestige and worldly gain instead of zeal for Christ.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 06
All of the churches compromised and became lax after Constantine gave the church favored status.

True

Sorry, some churches compromised, but many remained faithful, see Lecture 06

False

Well Done
Constantine was catechized and fully trained in Christian theology.

True

Sorry, see Lecture 06

False

Well Done
As a result of its favored status, the churches after Constantine trended toward lower commitment and shallower discipleship.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 06
The Lecture suggests that individual Christians should treat their personal power, authority, and position as stewardship -entrusted by God, and accountable to God.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 06
Which of these is most true about the council of Nicaea?

Constantine was not involved at all

Sorry, see Lecture 06

Constantine called and presided over the council, but was not theologically qualified to contribute, but he abided by the results of the council

Sorry, see Lecture 06

Constantine called and presided over the council, but was not theologically qualified to contribute, and he did not abide by the result of the council

Good Job

Constantine called and presided over the council, and had a positive influence because of his theological wisdom

Sorry, see Lecture 06

Which best reflects the evaluation of Constantine given in the lecture?

What Constantine did was good for the church

True, but incomplete, see Lecture 06

What Constantine did was bad for the church

True, but incomplete, see Lecture 06

It is complicated, and in some ways, both of the above are true

Well Done
The Lecture argues that it would have been better for the church if Constantine would not have been converted.

True

Sorry, see Lecture 06

False

Good Job
The Lecture argues that a stronger commitment to catechism and church discipline would have protected the church from many of the bad outcomes after Constantine.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 06
Historians still debate whether Constantine was genuinely converted to Christ.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 06

Module Completed!

Congratulations, you have reached the end of the sixth module. I hope that you have found it rewarding and have noticed personal growth.

I encourage you to continue on the next module as soon as is convenient. The button below will take you to Module 7.