Constantine's Conversion

Constantine's Conversion:
A Turning Point for Christianity

Why did Constantine accept Christianity and why was this historically significant?

1) Christianity was a form of a "group".  People became a part of this group; it was a form of leadership for the Roman emperor.  This for the people was a relief, they had something new to look forward to.  This is historically important because this shed new light, and influenced people's perspectives and beliefs.  Which are carried out through the present.

2) There are two possible reasons for a Roman emperor to convert.  The first would be personal: he had an experience or change of heart that brought him to Christianity; the second would be for political reasons.  Christianity was extremely hierarchical in thought and design and it could help to secure power to the emperor . . .
This conversion was historically important because
a) The emperor made Christianity the official religion of Rome; and
b) Christianity, because of becoming the state religion, was now an important entity, and would exert an enormous influence on Western Civilization's thought as its primary religious system.

I do not, however, believe Constantine converted to Christianity because of personal religious beliefs . . . it does not seem that all he wanted to do was bring the gospel of Jesus to all the people of Rome.

3) To gain the political support of the growing number of Christians within the Empire.  This is important because by not persecuting Christians (plus the emperor embracing it) more and more people converted.  This is why Christianity became the dominant religion in medieval Europe (and eventually the world).

4) A Roman emperor converted to Christianity so everyone could follow one religion.

5) He converted because he saw that Christianity was spreading and he wanted to encourage what the majority of the people wanted.  It was a turning point because Christianity eventually became not only the leading religion but the leading power in the country.  This was the point where the persecuted Christians became the persecutors.

6) Christianity had spread everywhere including throughout the Roman Empire.  The Empire was in a state of chaos.  After Romans converted to Christianity, Christians were no longer discriminated/executed as much.

7) The Christian faith promoted civil obedience.  The faith gave what is known as common laws.  The church also realized it needed the support of the emperor; the emperor also gained support from the church.  This acceptance of the Christian faith was important . . . because it was the first time they were accepted and not persecuted.  This acceptance allowed the church to grow and spread rapidly within the Roman
Empire . . .

8) The Roman Empire converted to Christianity because Constantine was converted and he was ruler at the time.  But the next guy Theodosius made it the religion of the region.  This is important in history because Christianity influenced their culture of how they acted, thought and believed.  It was more peaceful because they believed in getting along instead of fighting.  Other issues which influenced their culture such as education so their knowledge was more & became more sophisticated.