Mondays are for Church History
2/12/24
Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter I. Downfall of Heathenism and Victory of Christianity in the Roman Empire." 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. 1783-1838. (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library).
"§ 7. Theodosius the Great and his Successors. A.D. 392-550." (pp. 1829-1833).
For this brief section, Schaff includes only two volumes in his bibliography. Theodosius I is often considered to have ended paganism, whether rightly or wrongly. Schaff also notes he was celebrated for "victories over the Goths, his wise legislation, and other services to the empire" (Schaff 2014, p. 1830). He ruled from 392-395 after being the Eastern emperor from 379. Theodosius was committed to Nicene orthodoxy, and promoted it as the legitimate state religion. He extended existing prohibitions of pagan sacrifice to apply to all the elements of pagan worship. However, Schaff observes he did not press the issue of the paganism if it was strong in a particular area, and he did allow some pagans to hold secular offices (Schaff 2014, p. 1831).
Rather than attempting to have pagan temples destroyed, Theodosius confiscated the property and refused to contribute to the temples (Schaff 2014, p. 1831). During his reign, however, Schaff notes that there were moves in the East to attempt to destroy the temples and even to engage the pagans in battle. At the same time Schaff finds protests against the vandalism brought from the Church (Schaff 2014, p. 1832). Voices such as Chrysostom and Augustine call for seeking victory through change of heart.
After Theodosius' death in 395, the empire was again divided into two parts, and remained divided (Schaff 2014, p. 1832). The descendants of Theodosius I re-iterated some of Theodosius' prohibitions against paganism. Cruel conflict between Christians and pagans continued throughout this time period (Schaff 2014, p. 1833).
2/12/24
Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter I. Downfall of Heathenism and Victory of Christianity in the Roman Empire." 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. 1783-1838. (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library).
"§ 7. Theodosius the Great and his Successors. A.D. 392-550." (pp. 1829-1833).
For this brief section, Schaff includes only two volumes in his bibliography. Theodosius I is often considered to have ended paganism, whether rightly or wrongly. Schaff also notes he was celebrated for "victories over the Goths, his wise legislation, and other services to the empire" (Schaff 2014, p. 1830). He ruled from 392-395 after being the Eastern emperor from 379. Theodosius was committed to Nicene orthodoxy, and promoted it as the legitimate state religion. He extended existing prohibitions of pagan sacrifice to apply to all the elements of pagan worship. However, Schaff observes he did not press the issue of the paganism if it was strong in a particular area, and he did allow some pagans to hold secular offices (Schaff 2014, p. 1831).
Rather than attempting to have pagan temples destroyed, Theodosius confiscated the property and refused to contribute to the temples (Schaff 2014, p. 1831). During his reign, however, Schaff notes that there were moves in the East to attempt to destroy the temples and even to engage the pagans in battle. At the same time Schaff finds protests against the vandalism brought from the Church (Schaff 2014, p. 1832). Voices such as Chrysostom and Augustine call for seeking victory through change of heart.
After Theodosius' death in 395, the empire was again divided into two parts, and remained divided (Schaff 2014, p. 1832). The descendants of Theodosius I re-iterated some of Theodosius' prohibitions against paganism. Cruel conflict between Christians and pagans continued throughout this time period (Schaff 2014, p. 1833).
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