Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 22:2 (Jun 1979)
Article: Constantine The Great: Imperial Benefactor Of The Early Christian Church
Author: Edward A. Johnson

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JETS 22:2 (June 1979) p. 161

Constantine The Great: Imperial Benefactor Of The
Early Christian Church

Edward A. Johnson*

One of the most significant figures of early Church history remains shrouded in mystery. Emperor Flavius Valerius Constantinus, better known as Constantine I or Constantine the Great, is important because he ended the imperial persecutions of the Church and unified the declining Roman empire. Yet comparatively little is known about him personally.

Constantine was born sometime between A.D. 272 and 288 at Naissus in upper Moesia (now Nish in Yugoslavia).1 He was an illegitimate son of the pagan Constantius Chlorus (later to become the Emperor Constantius I) and Flavia Helena, whom Ambrose describes as an innkeeper. Apparently Helena was a Christian, and Constantius appears to have been tolerant of Christianity even though as emperor he reportedly destroyed some churches. Helena traveled widely, assisting Christians monetarily and through various personal services until shortly before her death at the age of eighty. The sources vary as to whether her son Constantine actually converted to the Christian faith, but his memory of his devout Christian mother appears to have been a factor in his own openness and kindness toward the early Church.

Constantine is described as being of medium height (or possibly taller) with a strong, athletic figure, piercing gaze, ruddy complexion, slightly aquiline nose and scanty reddish beard.2 He possessed enormous self-confidence and a stately bearing to go with his great physical strength, combining a soldier’s fearlessness with a diplomat’s patience and tactfulness.

As a boy the future sovereign was sent to the eastern court of the empire, practically as a hostage to ensure his father’s loyalty to the authorities in Rome.”3 Later he accompanied the emperor Diocletian on his campaigns. By 302 he had attained the rank of tribunus primi ordinis (tribune of the first order) and had served under Galerius along the banks of the Danube. Three years later Diocletian abdicated, along with his imperial colleague Maximianus. Constantius Chlorus and Galerius then became Augusti (“rulers”) of part of the empire while Severus and Maximinus Daia (or Daza) became Caesars over the rest.

Constantius promptly demanded that Galerius return his son to him. Constantine had to flee, carrying off Galerius’ pack horses to avoid being pursued. Joining his father at what is now Boulogne in France, Constantine found his

*Edward Johnson is pastor of St. John’s and Grace Lutheran churches in Ohiowa, Nebraska.

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