Constantine the Great: a Precursor of Ecumenism? = Constantin le Grand : précurseur de l’oecuménisme? = Tytuł Costantino il Grande : precursore dell’ecumenismo?
Constantine the Great was undoubtedly a colourful character and divisive to some extent. He left significant mark in the history of Christianity, owing to his presence and commitment that led in the 4th century, through specific activities, to establishing Christians’ unity. Firstly, the unity expre...
| Subtitles: | Constantin le Grand Ecumenical Theological Thought Remaining United in Diversity Tytuł Costantino il Grande |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Wydawn. Uniw. Śląskiego
2018
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| In: |
Ecumeny and law
Year: 2018, Volume: 6, Pages: 97-113 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Konstantin, I., Römisches Reich, Kaiser ca. 280-337
/ Ecumene
/ Unity
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| IxTheo Classification: | KDJ Ecumenism |
| Further subjects: | B
Costantino il Grande
B Christian Unity B unité des chrétiens B Ecumenism B Constantine the Great B Ecumenismo B unità dei cristiani B Constantin le Grand B oecuménisme |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei registrierungspflichtig) |
| Summary: | Constantine the Great was undoubtedly a colourful character and divisive to some extent. He left significant mark in the history of Christianity, owing to his presence and commitment that led in the 4th century, through specific activities, to establishing Christians’ unity. Firstly, the unity expressed itself in the ability of professing faith freely and abiding by it. Secondly, the very testimony of Constantine’s life and his decisions confined heresies that were threatening the orthodoxy of Christian doctrine, especially the heresy of Arianism and pagan beliefs. The presented text has proved there are sufficient number of arguments to justify calling Constantine “a pioneer of ecumenism.” The results of analysis has led to two conclusions. Firstly, given the notion of ecumenism at times of Constantine, one must conclude that the emperor was not merely a pioneer but an implementer of ecumenism. His endeavour to expand the territory of the empire, strengthening political power, unification of culture and religion by promoting Christianity — served the expansion and unity of the Roman Empire. Secondly, Constantine can be perceived as the one who discovered the value of Christian unity and struggled to achieve it in his idiosyncratic way. Constantin le Grand était sans aucun doute une personne intéressante, dans certains aspects ambiguë, qui a laissé dans le monde chrétien une empreinte significative de sa présence et de son engagement, tout en contribuant — grâce à ses diverses activités — à la consolidation des chrétiens au IVe siècle. Cette unité s’est manifestée tout d’abord dans la possibilité de confesser librement sa foi et d’observer ses préceptes. Deuxièmement, suite au témoignage de la vie de Constantin même et ses décisions, on a limité certaines hérésies menaçant l’orthodoxie de la doctrine chrétienne, surtout l’hérésie arienne et les confessions païennes. Le texte présenté prouve que ce sont des arguments suffisants pour pouvoir appeler Constantin « précurseur de l’oecuménisme ». Deux conclusions découlent de nos analyses. Premièrement, en prenant en considération la signification de la notion d’oecuménisme à l’époque contemporaine à Constantin, il faut constater qu’il n’était pas tant précurseur que son réalisateur. Les actions visant à élargir les territoires de l’Empire et du pouvoir politique ainsi que l’unification de la culture et de la religion servaient — en propageant le christianisme — l’expansion et l’homogénéité de l’Empire romain. Deuxièmement, Constantin peut être perçu comme celui qui découvrait la valeur de l’unité du christianisme et il y aspirait de manière qui lui était propre. Costantino il Grande fu indubbiamente un personaggio colorito, sotto alcuni aspetti ambiguo, che lasciò nel mondo cristiano un segno significativo della propria presenza e dell’impegno, contribuendo a consolidare con diverse attività l’unità tra i cristiani nel IV secolo. Tale unità si espresse dapprima attraverso la possibilità di professare liberamente la fede e di comportarsi secondo i suoi principi. In secondo luogo furono limitate le eresie che minacciavano l’ortodossia della dottrina cristiana, specialmente l’eresia ariana e le credenze pagane, attraverso la testimonianza di vita di Costantino stesso e le sue decisioni. Il testo presentato dimostra che sono argomentazioni sufficienti per poter chiamare Costantino “precursore dell’ecumenismo”. Le analisi hanno come effetto due conclusioni. Innanzitutto, tenendo conto dell’importanza del concetto di ecumenismo ai tempi di Costantino, occorre affermare che non fu tanto un precursore quanto piuttosto un suo realizzatore. Le attività di ampliamento dei territori dell’impero, del potere politico e l’uniformazione della cultura e della religione mediante la promozione del cristianesimo servivano all’espansione ed all’uniformità dell’Impero Romano. In secondo luogo Costantino può essere considerato colui che scoprì il valore dell’unità del cristianesimo e mirò a perseguirla a suo modo. |
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| ISSN: | 2391-4327 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Ecumeny and law
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