Rome and The Early Church
Rome and the Early Church of the Middle Ages
The Christian church of the middle ages was the result of the Christian church within Rome. The Romans made it acceptable to be a Christian. They also helped form the structure of the early church. The theology of the early church was significantly influenced by the emperor Constantine. The idea of the importance of Rome was even transferred from the empire to the church. Even those Christians during the persecution by the Romans were given special significance during the middle ages.
The conversion of the Constantine was significant because it legitimized Christianity within the Roman Empire. Constantine received a vision. The vision showed a cross made of light and the emperor heard the words “CONQUER BY THIS.” 1 Constantine then had his army put the sign of the cross on their shields before battle, thinking this sign would help him defeat Maxentius, his rival for the throne. Constantine was victorious, and seeing that his new sign had led him to victory he converted to Christianity. Many question whether his conversion was genuine, claiming it to be some kind of political move, but Constantine’s conversion seemed honest. The Christian population within the empire was still relatively small at that point, and any political motivation could have isolated Constantine from his subjects, so his conversion seemed to be based more on beliefs than on any sort of political strategy.2 Constantine went on to help shape what Christianity looked like within the empire. He blurred the line as to where the ruler’s role in Christianity is, and he set the example for future kings of Europe. One large impact that Constantine had on early Christianity was that he issued the Edict of Milan, along with his counterpart, Lactantius, the emperor in the east. The edict stated that Christians within the empire were to be protected, unlike their ancestors who were persecuted and put to death. It also said that the people were free to
The Christian church of the middle ages was the result of the Christian church within Rome. The Romans made it acceptable to be a Christian. They also helped form the structure of the early church. The theology of the early church was significantly influenced by the emperor Constantine. The idea of the importance of Rome was even transferred from the empire to the church. Even those Christians during the persecution by the Romans were given special significance during the middle ages.
The conversion of the Constantine was significant because it legitimized Christianity within the Roman Empire. Constantine received a vision. The vision showed a cross made of light and the emperor heard the words “CONQUER BY THIS.” 1 Constantine then had his army put the sign of the cross on their shields before battle, thinking this sign would help him defeat Maxentius, his rival for the throne. Constantine was victorious, and seeing that his new sign had led him to victory he converted to Christianity. Many question whether his conversion was genuine, claiming it to be some kind of political move, but Constantine’s conversion seemed honest. The Christian population within the empire was still relatively small at that point, and any political motivation could have isolated Constantine from his subjects, so his conversion seemed to be based more on beliefs than on any sort of political strategy.2 Constantine went on to help shape what Christianity looked like within the empire. He blurred the line as to where the ruler’s role in Christianity is, and he set the example for future kings of Europe. One large impact that Constantine had on early Christianity was that he issued the Edict of Milan, along with his counterpart, Lactantius, the emperor in the east. The edict stated that Christians within the empire were to be protected, unlike their ancestors who were persecuted and put to death. It also said that the people were free to