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Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter III.Alliance of Church and State and Its Influence on Public Morals and Religion." In History of the Christian Church. (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Volume 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-600, from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great. (pp. 1856-1908). (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library).
"§24. Byzantine Court Christianity." (pp. 1891-1893).
Schaff considers the mixing of Christianit with world empire to be "unnatural confusion." He observes that the imperial court in Constantinople became luxurious and prodigal, as well as despotic (Schaff 2014, p. 1891). An explosion of population among servants for the court set the stage for the emperors to be considered divine in nature, with innumerable people to fulfill their desires. Imperial appearances in the street would be accompanied by many attendants, all bearing lavish equipment.
Christianity in this setting tended to capitulate to the imperial values. Schaff notes that "even the court divines and bishops could hardly escape the contamination, though their high office, with its sacred functions, was certainly a protecting wall around them" (Schaff 2014, p. 1892). Schaff points out that at this period many of the bishops had endured the persecution under Diocletian, yet they found it difficult to rebuke imperial leaders for their sins.
"§25. Intrusion of Politics into Religion." (pp. 1893-1895).
As the church and state continued to evaluate their relationships, Schaff observes that both entities made moves to dominate the other. Schaff further observes that both were "often transgressing the limits prescribed to their power" in Scripture (Schaff 2014, p. 1893). The result was church claims of privilege to rule government and government claims of privilege to rule in the Church. Schaff reminds his readers that throughout antiquity religion had always been considered as a natural outgrowth of government. Roman emperors typically were recognized as rightfully holding the office of pontifex maximus, the head of religion for the empire (Schaff 2014, p. 1894). This traditional office moved emperors to atempts to exercise authority over Christian belief and practice.