Eusebius' final pages are among the most optimistic in all of historical literature. Why is Eusebius so positive and so hopeful about the future? In particular, why is he so positive about Constantine? What is Constantine doing that makes Eusebius feel that the Roman world is exactly on the right track? Do you feel Eusebius is missing anything here?
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Eusebius Book X (Consantine and a Look to the Future)
Eusebius' final pages are among the most optimistic in all of historical literature. Why is Eusebius so positive and so hopeful about the future? In particular, why is he so positive about Constantine? What is Constantine doing that makes Eusebius feel that the Roman world is exactly on the right track? Do you feel Eusebius is missing anything here?
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Eusebius is optimistic under Constantine for one because oppression of tyrants is over for the Christian church and they're entering a stage of restoration where the church will be more prosperous than ever. Under Constantine decrees of law help out the Christian church by furthering its cause and solidifying its teachings so that the church, as a whole, knows where it stands on doctrinal issues. One thing missing from Constantine's revival of Christianity may be proper sincerity. I think its likely that Constantine saw the benefits of allying the entire nation under a religion especially one of high moral standards. That is good for Christianity but I feel that the primary purpose of Constantine's usage of Christianity is to unify the the country not to further Christianity's purpose. -Zach Kuhlman
ReplyDeleteHe may feel so great about Constantine, because he is the first emperor that is a Christian. He makes Christianity the religion of the empire. Constantine seems like a good man and he is; it is just those who come after Constantine that make things worse. Eusebius seems a little optimistic about the future. IT is a good thing to have high hopes for the future, but most times these come crashing down. It is better to not worry about the future and let things come as they will. One would think as a Christian Eusebius would know that the only one who knows the future is God and it is best just to leave it up to Him. God talks about laying all ones burdens on him and thoughts about the future are one of those burdens. No matter how great those thoughts are it is better to leave it up to him. Eusebius is really missing something about the future, because he does not simply leave it up to God. Constantine is a great man and helped Christianity out a lot, but in the end all good things must come to an end. -Kelly Longden
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Eusebius is positive about the future because, even though the martyrs of Christ suffered horrid deaths, they moved onto bigger and better things in heaven. He is overjoyed with the fact that Christians will be freed from their oppressors and the "friends of God and priests [will be] clothed with the sacred robe and the heavenly crown of glory..."
ReplyDeleteEusebius also feels positive about the emperor Constantine and what a wonderful ruler he is. Eusebius felt Constantine was on the right track because he combined the Roman empire into a "single whole" and making it a Christian empire, thus creating unity and peace while eliminating old troubles.
Eusebius makes a good argument in the sense that, yes, we will be united with God one day, living the perfect life. But what Eusebius leaves out is the fact that, in order to gain that eternal life, we suffer greatly. He also only points out the good in Constantine's rule, instead of giving us the full picture.
-Melinda Quade
Eusebius has high hope for Rome after Constantine came to power, the obvious reason being that Constantine was the emperor who finally made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire by giving them complete religious freedom and he an tell that it wont be a temporary change. Since Constantine is a Roman emperor, he has the closest thing to absolute power in the world, meaning this new decree had better be taken seriously. As a christian Eusebius of course thinks that becoming the main religion is the best possible outcome, however he may or may not be aware of whether Constantine made it this way because of his beliefs or if he is just using Christianity as a tool to bring stability to Rome. either way he has some reverence for the practices of Christians so it may not matter. -Sean M
ReplyDeleteEusebius feels confident that Constantine is a man who sees through the dark that had clouded previous Roman emperors. Constantine felt that Christians truly weren't doing anything wrong and even accepted it has his own,creating a complete religious upheavel. I think Eusebius is also optimistic because the fight he feels has been one. All those who sacrificed their lives to bring about such a change were not in vain. He feels that the moral standards would be returned to society under Christianity and that order would be returned after countless years of chaos. I feel that Eusebius misses the point that once at the height of power, Christianity might be corrupted. It had just been accepted at a large scale, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Just as the morals of the old religion decayed I think Eusebius was a little oblivious in thinking that Christianity was an instant change to order and a lasting change.
ReplyDelete-Zack Krage
Eusebius is positive about the future. One because the persecution of Christians is over and they are finally being considered a real religion. Second because the emperor is a Christian and is trying to help the bishops build up there churches again. Things are finally looking up for Christians and this makes Eusebius excited and optimistic.
ReplyDeleteEusebius is undeniably thrilled at where the church is headed. Before talking about Constantine he is expressing how overjoyed the Christians are that the persecution is over. Personally, I thought that the beginning of the book, when talking about Christ and the Holy Spirit in the church, was far more interesting than the part about Constantine. However, Eusebius definitely shows that he is excited for Constantine to be emperor. He can see that Constantine is making Christianity bigger in the empire by almost making it the state religion. He also grants back a bunch of land that had been taken from the Christians. I feel that Constantine is using Christianity more than being an actual follower. It makes me wonder if it should be used for this purpose?
ReplyDelete