How Christianity Changed After Becoming Legal in the Roman Empire
The Church has never changed its teachings, but has clarified and expanded its teachings as new revelations were given to the Church. Looking specifically at the legalization of Christianity in 313 A.D. and also being made the official religion of the Roman Empire thereafter, it is seen that the Church becomes bolder in public because of the reduced fear of persecution by the Romans. Christians becoming involved in positions of authority in the Roman Empire became the catalyst that propelled the spread of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. To prove this statement, I will be comparing different primary sources that were dated …show more content…
This sermon was later recorded in “The Gospel According to Matthew: The Sermon on the Mount”. In this sermon he calls virtuous people blessed and assigns rewards to them for being virtuous. For example, Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Sources, 99). Later in this sermon, Jesus says that, “Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement” (Sources, 100). This particular statement from “The Sermon on the Mount” is repeated as a reminder to the Emperor Theodosius I, who murdered seven thousand and needed to repent before he would be admitted into the Church. This is seen in a document from 390 A.D. called, “Saint Ambrose of Milan, Emperor Theodosius Brought to Heel”. This document shows that Saint Ambrose admonishes the Emperor who sinned against the Lord. Saint Ambrose says, “I have written these things, indeed, not to confound you, but that the example of these kings might induce you to put away this sin from your kingdom, which you will accomplish by humiliating your soul to God. You are a man and temptation has come to you; confess it.” (Sources, 105). Saint Ambrose could only speak to the Emperor in
The Church has never changed its teachings, but has clarified and expanded its teachings as new revelations were given to the Church. Looking specifically at the legalization of Christianity in 313 A.D. and also being made the official religion of the Roman Empire thereafter, it is seen that the Church becomes bolder in public because of the reduced fear of persecution by the Romans. Christians becoming involved in positions of authority in the Roman Empire became the catalyst that propelled the spread of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. To prove this statement, I will be comparing different primary sources that were dated …show more content…
This sermon was later recorded in “The Gospel According to Matthew: The Sermon on the Mount”. In this sermon he calls virtuous people blessed and assigns rewards to them for being virtuous. For example, Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Sources, 99). Later in this sermon, Jesus says that, “Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement” (Sources, 100). This particular statement from “The Sermon on the Mount” is repeated as a reminder to the Emperor Theodosius I, who murdered seven thousand and needed to repent before he would be admitted into the Church. This is seen in a document from 390 A.D. called, “Saint Ambrose of Milan, Emperor Theodosius Brought to Heel”. This document shows that Saint Ambrose admonishes the Emperor who sinned against the Lord. Saint Ambrose says, “I have written these things, indeed, not to confound you, but that the example of these kings might induce you to put away this sin from your kingdom, which you will accomplish by humiliating your soul to God. You are a man and temptation has come to you; confess it.” (Sources, 105). Saint Ambrose could only speak to the Emperor in