Encyclopedia of sacred theology - pagina 670

646

§ 102.

THE INTERNAL CONFLICT

who was converted unto Him,

every one

into the life of the

Church

itself

it

[Div. Ill

enters too deeply

not to be classified under

a proper head.

The Internal Conflict

§ 102.

The change brought about by the Great

the reign of Constantine

vastly important also in the history of theol-

is

a dominating influence change the of the religion of far as in so but upon theology, against Paganthe conflict that proof surest the throne offered terminated in and had decision, ism had reached a provisional religion. It is indeed a complete triumph of the Christian noteworthy that, without any direct connection, the ecclesiastical events at Alexandria run almost parallel with the

ogy.

Not that he personally exerted

In 313, the very year of the second edict of Milan, Arius was ordained a presbyter in Alexandria. In 321 Arius is condemned by the Synod at Alexandria, while Con-

political events.

stantine

is

at the point of

coming over

to Christianity in 323.

And in 325, at the council of Nice, Arius falls, Athanasius appears upon the scene, and the emperor of the Roman Empire,

which was

at the height of

still

its

power, casts his

influence in the scale of the worship of the Christ as " BegotAnd ten, not made, and of one essence with the Father."

other relations are changed. The Christians become polemics, and compel heathen scholars to appear as Not the Christian religion, but Paganism, is now apologists. denied a starting-point in public life. The influence upon

with this

all

public opinion has

and

cial support,

pomp and

now

Pagan

bishops.

passed into the hands of presbyters

cult bleeds to death for Avant of finan-

while Christian ceremonial begins to exhibit

splendor.

Moral preponderance

is

turned en-

Henceforth the tirely to the side of the Christian religion. ever-increasing in Cross the higher classes follow after numbers. schools

Christian schools flourish in proportion as heathen

wane.

And,

as

is

generally observed

in

such

from now on, talent, the enercry of personality, and the power of the word turn their back upon Paganism, and place themselves at the service of changes in the state of

affairs,

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