Church History, Part 8: Rome's Truce with the Church by Steve Gregg

Описание: http://TheNarrowPath.com | Steve Gregg covers the final Imperial persecution under Roman Emperor Diocletian. Afterwards, Constantine became the emperor and was friendly towards Christians.

Constantine became sole ruler in 324, bringing universal toleration. (90 years later, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity official religion and persecuted paganism in 392).
Constantine introduced the following changes:
Restoration of properties confiscated by Diocletian
Rebuilt many of the churches Diocletian had destroyed
Gave money to needy congregations
Granted tax exemption for church property
Granted military exemption for clergy
Gave bishops the authority as judges in their dioceses
At his mother’s (Queen Helena) encouragement, he built the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
In 325, called the ecumenical council at Nicea (NW Asia Minor) to settle the Arian controversy.
Revoked religious liberty for heretical sects and destroyed their meeting places

Steve also covers Constantine's negative effects on the church:

1. Fashionableness of Christianity among unregenerate pagans who were baptized.
2. Blurring of distinction between Christianity and paganism: the paganization of the church
3. Blurring of distinction between church and state: the regulation of the church by government
Orthodoxy enforced by state law.
Athanasius would later ask: “When did a judgment of the church receive its validity from the emperor?”
Hosius of Cordova criticized Constantine’s son Constantius, saying:
“Do not intrude yourself into church matters, nor give commands to us concerning them...God has put into your hands the kingdom; to us he has entrusted the affairs of his church...It is written, ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.’”
4. God’s sanction invoked upon warfare: the secularization of the church’s mission
5. Political power of bishops strengthened: the politicizing of the church