Rethinking Constantine: History, Theology, and Legacy

by Edward L. Smither

Publisher:

Pickwick Publications

, 2014

What happens to the church when the emperor becomes a Christian? Seventeen hundred years after Constantine's victory at Milvian Bridge, scholars and students of history continue to debate the life and impact of the Roman emperor who converted to faith in the Christian God and gave peace to the church. This book joins that conversation and examines afresh the historical sources that inform our picture of Constantine, the theological developments that occurred in the wake of his rise to power, and aspects of Constantine's legacy that have shaped church history.

Praise for Rethinking Constantine

"Like him or dislike him, one cannot ignore Constantine in Christianity. His legacy can be seen at every turn, from Sunday observance to law to ecclesiastical dress! These essays help us to come to terms with the scope of that legacy."
--Thomas O'Loughlin, University of Nottingham

"The early fourth-century Constantinian revolution had enormous consequences for the life and worship of the Christian Church--indeed, its far-reaching impact is still with us in a variety of ways. In recent days, both scholarly reassessment of this revolution and popular fiction have brought Constantine to public notice once again, and this collection of essays provides an extremely helpful guide in taking stock of one of the great turning points in church history."
--Michael A.G. Haykin, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"If we are going to assess Constantinianism rightly, we have to get Constantine right. The contributors go a long way toward accomplishing this task. In place of the caricatured Constantine of popular fiction and theology, this collection of essays presents a living, breathing Constantine, flawed and failing, but a genuine believer struggling to use his power in a way that would please the 'Supreme God' who had chosen him."
--Peter Leithart, New Saint Andrews College

Product Details

• Title : Rethinking Constantine: History, Theology, and Legacy
• Author: Smither, Edward L.
• Publisher: Pickwick Publications
• Publication Date: 2014
• ISBN: 9781630873851

About Edward L. Smither

Edward L. Smither (PhD, University of Wales-Trinity Saint David; PhD, University of Pretoria) is professor and dean of intercultural studies at Columbia International University. He spent 14 years in intercultural ministry in North Africa, France, and the USA. His previous books include Missionary Monks, Mission in the Early Church, and Augustine as Mentor.