ChristianDebates

The Christian Martyr
by EJM_Missouri

Part 3 -- The Constantine Tragedy .

Though the object of incessant persecution, though the subject of the most inhuman atrocities, the Christians living in the first few centuries of the Christian era followed closely the example set by Jesus and his disciples. Persecuted on every hand, they did harm to non and sought to bless all.

In his Apologetics, which he addressed to the Roman magistrates, Tertullian (ca. 155-230) writes on how the Christians of his day conducted themselves in the face of persecution, contrasting the conduct of Christians with that of non-Christians. He writes: �?EM>the Christian, even when he is condemned, gives thanks. If the comparison be made in regard to trustworthiness, Anaxagoras denied the deposit of his enemies: the Christian is noted for his fidelity even among those who are not of his religion. If the matter of sincerity is to be brought to trial, Aristotle basely thrust his friend Hermias from his place: the Christian does no harm even to his foe. . . . ; and Hippias is put to death laying plots against the state: no Christian ever attempted such a thing in behalf of his brethren, even when persecution was scattering them abroad with, every atrocity. [And note carefully his next statement.] But it will be said that some of us, too, depart from the rules of our discipline. In that case, however, we count them no longer Christians�?/U>

These early Christians were not perfect by any means. Satan had always sought to afflict the church from inside. Even among the disciples there was a Judas. But in general, they were “blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation�?/FONT> and they shown “as lights in the world.�?(Philippians 2:15). Those persecutions were like a refiners fire. Few people realize the magnitude of the persecution those early Christians faced. The half hearted, the worldly, the unconverted and uncommitted did not become Christian, or at least did not stay Christian for long. In that environment becoming a Christian was not a choice one made lightly. But all that was soon to change. Near the end of his Apologetics, (paragraph 50) Tertullian wrote: “kill us, torture us, condemn us, grind us to dust; your injustice is the proof that we are innocent. . . . Nor does your cruelty, however exquisite, avail you; . . . . The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed.

And seed indeed it was. In spite of centuries of merciless persecution the numbers of Christians continued to grow, so strong was their witness, that by the time of Constantine it is estimated that some 20 percent of the population was Christian. Constantine’s conversion to Christianity effectively brought an end to the persecutions. For those who looked at it from a worldly view point, Constantine’s conversion was hailed as a great advance for Christianity. But it was in truth one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the church. Weary of incessant persecution, and now seeing for the first time a real prospect of lasting peace, the church let its guard down.

With the conversion of the Emperor, Christianity suddenly became a popular religion, the hottest new fad around. With no threat of persecution, people flocked to it. With the refiners fire extinguished, the worldly minded, half hearted, unconverted and unconsecrated made their way into the church, even into positions of leadership. In short, the world marched into the church, and altered Christianity in the process.

But as bad as that was, that was not the real tragedy of Constantine’s conversion. With Constantine a most dangerous precedent was set. There is a maxim that, “power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.�?/FONT> The church suddenly found itself with the prospect of having real political power. Political power is a danger to the church in the best of times, and all the more so for a church suddenly full of half-converted, worldly minded people. As the church lost the purity of its faith, it also lost the power of the Holy Spirit. And the temptation was to use the power of the state as a substituted for the power of the Holy Spirit they no longer had.

And so, Constantine set himself to enforce the doctrine of the church with the power of the state. With this precedent set it was not long before persecution of the faithful from without was replaced by persecution from within. A religion that people was once willing to die for became a religion that people were now willing to kill for.

Jesus had said, “My kingdom is not of this world,�?(John 18:36) but now people set out to create for Christ a kingdom of God on earth. They forgot that their “citizenship is in heaven.�?not on this earth. (Philippians 3:20). That they were to be “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.�?(Hebrews 11:13).

As the last supper drew to a close Jesus had told his disciples to get some swords. They got two.

Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, . . . he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. . . . 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

The thought has been put forward that there is a metaphorical significance in their having two swords - for the Bible speaks of two swords. The first sword is the sword of the world, a weapon of the flesh. The second sword is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

Later that evening as the mob was in the act of arresting Jesus, Peter swung that first sword in defense of his Lord. Jesus then very decidedly gave the command, “Put your sword into the sheath.�?(John 18:11). That was not the sword the disciples were to be using. The only sword Christians were to use was “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,�?“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.�?(Eph 6:17, Heb 4:12). But now, sadly, having laid down the sword of the Spirit, Christians presumed to take up again the sword of the flesh that Jesus had command they put down.

Jesus had said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.�?(Matthew 10:16). Wolves have nothing to fear from sheep, but the sheep have everything to fear from the wolves. This symbolized just how harmless a Christian was to be, even to their persecutors. Remember how Tertullian wrote of those who departed from this harmlessness? He said of them �?U>In that case, however, we count them no longer Christians�?/FONT> But now wolves had entered the church dressed in sheep clothing. “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock�?(Acts 20:29). Continuing Jesus had said, “But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.�?(Matthew 10:17-18). But now it was professed Christians, who were delivering fellow believers up before councils, governors and kings, scourging them.

Jesus never gave his church a political kingdom. He never gave his church political power and authority. He was very emphatic: “My kingdom is not of this world,�?(John 18:36). In the wilderness of temptation the devil came to Jesus and offered Him the kingdoms of the world. Jesus refused the bribe. The devil, beginning with Constantine put the same temptation to the church, and found a much more receptive audience.

The disciples were also equally emphatic that the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of this world. “we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,�?(2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Yet, through the enfolding darkness, God always has had His true witnesses in the church. People truly converted, consecrated, Spirit filled, who would do no harm, seeking to bless all. Weak in the eyes of the world, yet bold in Christ, few in numbers, and despised they may have been, yet they were strong in God, and still had the power to shake the world. However deep the darkness, there have always been those who faithfully followed in the footsteps of Jesus, and give a true and faithful witness of their faith. As just one among countless examples that might be told, it was during the Protestant Reformation that an entire family was brought before the inquisitors. During their ‘examination�?the youngest son said, “We fall on our knees, and pray that God may enlighten our minds and pardon our sins; we pray for our sovereign, that his reign may be prosperous and his life happy; we pray for our magistrates, that God may preserve them.�?(Wylie b. 18, ch. 16.) In the end the father and one of his sons were condemned to the stake - but their witness was a true witness, they were true martyr’s, and the blood of such Christians, as Tertullian said, is seed. “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.�?(Psalm 116:15).

It can truly be said that the change that came over Christianity beginning with Constantine was a aberration of the Christian faith. The example of Jesus, of the disciples, of the apostolic church, and of the church in its first centuries prove that.

Political power is addictive and the road to recovery for the church has been long and slow, and even now there are still those who just don’t get it. But the church has come a long way from its low point during the dark ages. True Christianity, the real deal, can only be spread by the strength of truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.