Constantine, the Man Who Would Be God

Constantine was taught since he was little, that the Emperor was Lord and God. Emperor Diocletian had his own priests that would worship him, and tell him that he was god over the whole universe. (1)

Constantine was of the stringent belief that the spirits of the Gods dwell within him even as they dwell in heaven. The Greek word for this belief is "homousios", or consubstantial. (2) Constantine insisted that God and Jesus were consubstantial, ie, of the same formless god-substance, such that they could dwell in people, in the same manner that the spirit of the Roman gods dwelt in him. Far from being monotheistic, Constantine thought he could have the spirits of all the gods within him as Emperor.

This was in direct conflict with Presbyter Arius, who taught that Jesus was separate, and subordinate to his father. Athanasius took the side of the Emperor, insisting that they were of the same substance, equal and eternal.

According to Catholic Theologian Professor Dr. Hans Kung, the consubstantial doctrine was new to Christianity, in direct conflict with what was taught by Origen.(3) Origen was considered to be the authority on early church doctrine.

As Lord and God, Emperor Constantine was also the chief priest of Rome(Pontifex maximus), and in charge of all religions. This title was eventually adopted by the Popes of the Catholic church. Emperor Gratian was the last Roman Emperor to have this title.(4) The bishops at the Council of Nicea were reluctant to go against him. They were also intimidated by this monarch who wore robes with jewels sewn into it. He had the power to have any of them put to death, just as he would later execute his wife, and his son.(5)

“He worked via threats and reprisals to implement his ideals. Each bishop is interviewed individually. Each individual is committed to sign the “Nicene creed” or being exiled. At Nicaea all matters of church organization had to be compatible to Roman law.” (6)

After forcing the bishops to sign or be exiled, Constantine wrote the following law:

"If any writing composed by Arius should be found, it should be handed over to the flames, so that not only will the wickedness of his teachings be obliterated, but nothing will be left to remind anyone of him. And hereby make a public order, that if anyone should be discovered to have hidden a writing composed by Arius, and not to have immediately brought forward and destroyed it by fire, his penalty shall be death. As soon as he would be discovered in this offense, he shall be submitted for capital punishment." (7)

Constantine was a false prophet. But Athanasious was an ambitious man, and supported Constantine, and the false doctrine of consubstantial became the excuse for wars.

"On that fateful morning of the 26th of October 366, Bishop Damasus from Rome was leading a group of hired thugs armed with clubs, swords, axes and sticks to execute justice his way. Driven by a mad rage towards his fellow brother bishop Irsinus he felt justified to have all of the worshippers which had gathered at the Julii chapel (today St. Maria in Trastevere) for their morning service to face a most cruel death." (8)

Saint Ambrose of Milan supported Bishop Damasus, and may be the author of a law known as Cunctos Populus:

"According to the discipline of the apostles and the doctrine of the Gospel, let us believe the sole deity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, under an equal majesty and in a pious Trinity. We authorize the followers of this doctrine to assume the title of Catholic Christians and we judge that all others are extravagant madman. We brand them with the infamous name of heretics, and declare their contenticles shall no longer usurp the respectable appellation of churches. Besides the condemnation of divine justice, they must expect to suffer the severe penalties which our authority, guided by heavenly wisdom, shall think proper to inflict upon them." (9)

Footnotes and References

1. Alexander Demandt, "Diokletian und die Tetrarchie“,Aspekte einer Zeitenwende,Walter de Gruyter, 2004, S. 31 u.a. transl by Ingrid Skibbe

2. The Outstanding Rehabilitation by Gerd Skibbe

3. “Dleine Geschichte der Katholischen Kirche", transl by Ingrid Skibbe

4. https://www.persee.fr/doc/rbph_0035-0818_2003_num_...

5. Flavia Maxima Fausta (289 – 326), daughter of Roman Emperor Maximianus, was married to Constantine the Great in 307. Constantine had her executed in 326 AD. He also ordered the execution of his son Crispus, shortly thereafter.

6. Rudolf Leeb, "Konstantin und Christus“, die Verchristlichung der imperialen reprasentation, Walter de Gruyter, 1992, transl by Ingrid Skibbe

7. http://hymnsandchants.com/Texts/Heresy/Arianism.pdf

8. Martin Rade lic. Theol., "Damasus, Bischof Von Rom“, 1882

9. Text Cunctos populos