Peter J. Leithart, Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom. IVP Academic, 2010.
Referenced in: Missional Philosophy
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This offers an interesting alternative voice to the common missional perspective which sees the Constantinian era as the dominant force in shaping the church’s identity from ancient Rome until the late 20th century modern era.
From the Publisher
We know that Constantine
- issued the Edict of Milan in 313
- outlawed paganism and made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire
- manipulated the Council of Nicea in 325
- exercised absolute authority over the church, co-opting it for the aims of empire
And if Constantine the emperor were not problem enough, we all know that Constantinianism has been very bad for the church.
Or do we know these things?
Peter Leithart weighs these claims and finds them wanting. And what’s more, in focusing on these historical mirages we have failed to notice the true significance of Constantine and Rome baptized. For beneath the surface of this contested story there emerges a deeper narrative of the end of Roman sacrifice—a tectonic shift in the political theology of an empire—and with far-reaching implications.
In this probing and informative book Peter Leithart examines the real Constantine, weighs the charges against Constantinianism, and sets the terms for a new conversation about this pivotal emperor and the Christendom that emerged.
About the Author
Peter J. Leithart (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Moscow, Idaho, and senior fellow at New Saint Andrews College. He has also served as editor and writer for American Vision in Atlanta, Georgia, and as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
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